Itinerary

1. Day 1: Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft)

   • Leave Arusha at 8 am for Marangu Gate. The drive to Marangu takes approximately 45 minutes, and meet your Kilimanjaro tour guide, cooks and porters when you arrive at the gate.

   • After completing gate registration, begin your Kilimanjaro trek. Walk along a narrow trail through the rainforest of Kilimanjaro for most of the hike.

   • Eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni, the halfway point of day one.

   • After lunch, continue walking through the rainforest until reaching Mandara Hut.

   • Relax for the rest of the day or take a short walk to Maundi Crater. The views to the east over Taveta and to the northwest to Mawenzi Peak are stunning on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort.

   Elevation Gain: 915 meters, 3,000 feet

2. Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

   • After breakfast, leave Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro's forests for Horombo Hut. Most of the day's hike will be through Kilimanjaro's moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants.

   • Eat a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut.

   • If the weather is clear, enjoy beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.

   • Arrive at Horombo Hut at around 3 pm and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered to be the nicest on Kilimanjaro.

   Elevation Gain: 977 meters, 3,200 feet

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Mawenzi Hut (4,600m/15,100ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

   • Day three is an acclimatisation day. The guide suggests hiking all the way to Mawenzi Hut to allow for maximum acclimatisation. The hike will increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak and also reward you with magnificent views of Kibo.

   • Return to Horombo for a late lunch.

   • Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at Horombo.

   Elevation Gain and Loss: 880 meters, 2,900 feet

4. Day 4: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft)

   • Leave Horombo Hut after breakfast to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro's upper altitudes.

   • After hiking for about an hour, arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream.

   • After Maua, the terrain becomes flatter, and the vegetation begins to disappear.

   • Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill.

   • After lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro's Saddle. Although the environment on the way to Kibo is a bleak desert with little vegetation, you will see many stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.

   • Reach Kibo Hut around 3 pm to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.

   Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters, 3,380 feet

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

   • Around midnight, wake up for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The hike begins with a demanding five-hour hike to Gillman's Point on the crater rim. Although this is considered to be the easiest of the three crater ascent paths, it is still extremely difficult. The first major rest stop, William's Point, lies at 5000 meters and is approximately a two-hour hike from Kibo Hut.

   • Continue on for thirty minutes before beginning the rocky switchbacks that will continue to Gillman's Point (5,681 meters). The hike from Gilman's to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb, and as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately two hours.

   • Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.

   • On the way down from the summit, see all of the magnificent views you could not see on the way up.

   • Stop for a short break and snacks at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut.

   • Reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon and enjoy your last night on the mountain.

   Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, 3,760 feet; Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters, 7,140 feet

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft)

   • After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest.

   • Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery.

   • Meet the vehicles waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to Moshi. You will be able to buy t-shirts and sodas at the gate.

   Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters, 6,295 feet