8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Rongai Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

• You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. There, you will meet your guide for a briefing on your upcoming trek and an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear can be rented on this day.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• This morning, we will drive to the village of Nale Moru, the starting point of the Rongai route. The first stage of the trek passes through farmland and pine forests.
• You may have the chance to see beautiful Colobus monkeys or, if you are lucky enough, elephants or buffaloes along the way. Our first camp will be Simba Camp, located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.

Distance covered: 8km / 5mi

Approx. time taken: 4 - 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• The morning hike is a steady ascent to Second Cave Camp, located in the moorland zone, with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Ice Fields on the crater rim.

Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi

Approx. time taken: 3 - 4 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi.
• Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

Distance covered: 8km / 5mi

Approx. time taken: 4 - 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• After breakfast, we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. It takes 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Hut.

Distance covered: 8km / 5mi

Approx. time taken: 5 - 6 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. This is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), which is also a good resting spot.
• The path then zigzags up to Gillman's Point (5681m), located on the crater rim. This section is very steep, with a lot of stone scree, requiring great physical and mental effort.
• This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly. From Gillman's Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it.
• Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend taking photographs before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo Hut.
• After a short rest at Kibo Hut, you gather all the gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo Hut (3 hours) for your overnight stay. The return to Horombo Hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day.
• Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner on the mountain, with soft drinks and beer available for sale at the camp office, followed by a well-earned sleep filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Approx. time taken: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo

Distance: Approxim 12 - 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• After breakfast, you continue your descent for about 6 hours, passing Mandara Hut on the way down to Marangu Gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely.
• At Marangu Gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued green certificates, while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.
• You then drive back to Moshi for a long-overdue hot shower, dinner, a decent bed, and celebrations.

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 29 km

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

• The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home.
• Depending on your flight time, you could explore Moshi town and visit some gift shops before heading to the airport.

Safari, Zanzibar, and other add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.

Meals: Breakfast Included