7-Day Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

After breakfast, collect the bags for Kilimanjaro, while the rest can stay at the hotel. Then drive to Marangu Gate for permits or continue to Rongai Gate. Pass through the wooden village of Nale Moru, where the trailhead begins.

The trail winds through corn and potato fields and then climbs gently through the forest, home to various wildlife, including the Black and White Colobus monkey.

Camp at Rongai Cave.

After breakfast, your guides will begin a medical checkup to ensure safe trekking on the second day. The hike starts on a steady incline and reaches Second Cave on the way to Kikelewa Cave.

You will have a hot lunch at Second Cave before continuing on to Kikelewa Cave, where you will arrive later in the day. Along the route, views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim begin to emerge.

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

The landscape changes dramatically as you leave the heath zone and enter the alpine desert zone. Camp is situated beneath the jagged spires of Mawenzi. The remainder of the day can be spent relaxing or exploring the area.

After a late breakfast, your guides will carry out a medical checkup to make sure you are ready for the next day. This is an acclimatization day.

You hike steadily up a ridge with fantastic views on both sides, through a rugged and rocky landscape. After spending some time exploring Mawenzi Ridge, head back to Mawenzi Tarn camp for a hot lunch.

These extra days on the trail allow your body to acclimatize and assist with summit day.

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

Your 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 the next morning at midnight.

The trek starts early in the morning, around midnight. 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.

From there, continue ascending 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.

Afterward, descend and stop for lunch and rest at Kibo before continuing to Horombo Hut for the last night of camping. 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 will 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 help get you there.

After breakfast, a steady descent takes you 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, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

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

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