6-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

After breakfast, collect the bags needed for Kilimanjaro; the rest can stay at the hotel. Then drive to Marangu Gate for permits, or continue straight to Rongai Gate, passing through the wooden village of NaleMoru, where the 6-day Rongai Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro begins.

The trail winds through corn and potato fields and then climbs gently through the forest, which is home to a variety of wildlife, including the black and white Colobus monkey.

Camp at Rongai Cave.

After breakfast, our guides will begin the medical checkup to ensure your safety while trekking on the second day. The hike starts with a steady incline and reaches 2nd Cave while en route to Kikelewa Cave.

You will have a hot lunch at 2nd Cave. Then proceed to Kikelewa Cave, where you will arrive in the late evening.

Views of Kibo and the Eastern Ice Fields on the crater rim begin to emerge.

Today's trekking is short and steep, climbing up a grassy slope. Views of the wilderness area are stunning.

As we leave the heath zone and enter the alpine desert zone, the landscape changes dramatically. Camp is situated beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi.

The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area.

After an early morning breakfast and a medical checkup, you will leave camp for Kibo Hut. As we traverse the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks, the trail climbs gradually across the rocky lunar landscape.

Our campsite for the night sits at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting and preparing for the final ascent, which begins early in the morning at midnight.

The trekking starts early in the morning, from midnight to 12 am, as you climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim at 5700 m/18,700 ft. Continuing onward, we ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

There are unbelievable views at every turn, and you can take pictures at the summit to show your friends and family. From here, we descend, stopping for lunch and rest at Kibo before continuing to Horombo Hut for the last camping night.

The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you descend, so you need all your warm layers.

This is the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly, using poles, and keeping an optimistic attitude will get you there.

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through the moorland to Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu.

At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

This will be the last day of your trekking. At the gate, you will receive your Kilimanjaro certificate from your guides. At that time, your team will sing Kilimanjaro and traditional songs.

A Trails of Kilimanjaro vehicle will meet you at Marangu Gate and drive you back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower and rest.