Your 7-day Rongai route adventure begins at Rongai Gate (1,950m) on the northern side of Kilimanjaro near the Kenyan border. After completing registration formalities and meeting your guides and porters, we start our trek through the beautiful pine forest and cultivated farmland.

The trail gradually ascends through the forest zone with opportunities to spot wildlife and enjoy the unique northern perspective of the mountain. We'll reach Simba Camp (2,600m) in the afternoon, situated at the edge of the moorland zone with stunning views of the plains below.

After breakfast, we continue our ascent through the moorland zone, leaving the forest behind. The trail offers increasingly spectacular views of Kibo Peak as we gain altitude towards Second Cave Camp (3,450m).

This additional day in the 7-day itinerary allows for excellent acclimatization. We'll take an afternoon hike to higher elevation before returning to camp, following the "climb high, sleep low" principle. The gradual ascent and extra acclimatization time significantly improve our chances of summit success.

Today we continue our ascent to Kikelewa Camp (3,600m), enjoying the remote wilderness experience that makes the Rongai route so special. The trail becomes more rugged as we approach higher altitudes.

We'll trek through beautiful heather landscapes with occasional wildlife sightings. The extended duration of the 7-day route allows for a more gradual ascent, giving our bodies optimal time to adapt to the altitude. Kikelewa Camp offers breathtaking panoramic views of the northern slopes and the Kenyan plains.

Today we continue our ascent to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4,330m), situated at the base of the spectacular Mawenzi Peak - Kilimanjaro's second highest summit. The trail becomes steeper as we approach this high-altitude camp.

The camp sits beside a beautiful alpine tarn (lake) with dramatic views of Mawenzi's rugged peaks. This is a crucial acclimatization day, and we'll take a significant hike in the afternoon to higher elevation before returning to camp. The extra day in the 7-day itinerary makes this acclimatization much more effective.

Today we cross the spectacular "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. This high-altitude desert landscape offers breathtaking views of both peaks and the surrounding terrain.

The relatively flat traverse across the saddle allows for excellent acclimatization as we approach Kibo Hut (4,700m), our base camp for the summit attempt. Thanks to our optimal acclimatization on the 7-day route, our bodies are well-prepared for the high altitude. We'll arrive at Kibo Hut for lunch and spend the afternoon resting and preparing for the midnight summit push.

We begin our summit attempt around midnight, trekking by headlamp through the darkness. The climb to Gilman's Point (5,681m) is steep and challenging, but witnessing the sunrise from the crater rim is an unforgettable experience.

From Gilman's Point, we continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) - the highest point in Africa. After celebrating our achievement and taking photos, we descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for a well-deserved night's sleep. The optimal acclimatization of the 7-day route makes this challenging day much more manageable.

After a well-deserved breakfast, we begin our final descent through the moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate (1,860m). The Rongai route descends via the Marangu route, offering a different perspective of the mountain.

At Marangu Gate, you'll receive your summit certificates - gold for those who reached Uhuru Peak and green for Gilman's Point. We'll then transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower, celebration dinner, and to collect your luggage before departure, celebrating your successful 7-day Rongai route adventure with optimal acclimatization.