7 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Rongai Route

Following breakfast, you ascend steadily through the heather zone. The terrain opens up, offering sweeping views of the Kenyan plains below and Mawenzi’s rugged spires. The pace is slow to aid acclimatization, and you’ll pause for a packed lunch en route. As you climb higher, the vegetation becomes more scrub-like. After around 4–5 hours, you reach Second Cave Camp, nestled in the moorland. Enjoy the peaceful atmosphere as you settle into camp, with a hot dinner served at sunset.

Today’s route diverges from the main trail, heading toward the jagged landscapes near Mawenzi Peak. The path becomes steeper, and you will notice changes in vegetation and temperature. A lunch stop provides a chance to rest and fuel up. Upon reaching Kikelewa Camp, the landscape is dramatic, with giant groundsels and endless sky. Short acclimatization walks around camp are encouraged. Afterward, you'll have time to relax and enjoy a delicious dinner cooked fresh by your team.

After breakfast, you tackle a short but steep climb up a grassy slope, transitioning into barren alpine desert. You’ll approach the awe-inspiring Mawenzi Tarn, set beneath towering cliffs and spires. The air is crisp, and the scenery feels truly otherworldly. After reaching camp, you’ll have a hot lunch and a chance to explore nearby ridges for acclimatization. The stunning sunsets here are unforgettable. Gather in the evening for a nourishing dinner and a summit talk with your guide.

Today is dedicated to acclimatization. After breakfast, you will take a relaxed hike higher up Mawenzi’s ridges (about 4,600m) and then descend back to the tarn for lunch. This "climb high, sleep low" strategy is key to improving your body's adaptation to altitude. Spend the afternoon resting or doing light exploration near the tarn. Another hearty dinner will be served to prepare you for your upcoming crossing of the saddle towards Kibo.

The trail today crosses the vast saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo — an almost lunar desert landscape. The hike is steady, conserving energy and breathing steadily. After about 5–6 hours, you arrive at Kibo Camp, where you will relax, hydrate heavily, and have an early dinner. You’ll then rest a few hours before the midnight summit push begins. Your guide will give a full briefing and ensure you’re physically and mentally prepared for summit night.

The final push! You’ll wake around 11:00 PM, have a light tea and snack, then begin the slow, challenging ascent under a star-studded sky. Trekking by headlamp, you reach Gilman’s Point (5,685m) around sunrise, offering breathtaking views into the crater. After a brief rest, continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa! After celebrating, you descend carefully back to Kibo for a brunch, then further down to Horombo Hut for a much-deserved rest and a final celebratory dinner.

Some operators include a relaxed descent on Day 8; however, usually after overnight at Horombo, trekkers descend to Marangu Gate the following morning and depart for Moshi.