Itinerary

1. Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park's Marangu Gate - Hike to Mandara Hut

   • Drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 2 hours) after breakfast and briefing, register, and commence the climb.

   • Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment.

   • See why a side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys in the rainforest.

   Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

   Distance: 8km/5mi

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest

   Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

2. Day 2: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

   • Leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing.

   • Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. At this point, you may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

   Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

   Distance: 12km/7.5mi

   Hiking time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Heathland

   Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut – Acclimatization Day

   • Spend the day at Horombo Hut, allowing your body to acclimate to high altitude. You can do a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut, and lunch will either be packed or at the hut, depending on your preference for the day.

4. Day 4: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   • Ascend, and we now pass the last watering point.

   • Walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with the upper heathland but then disappears into a “moonscape”.

   • Eat dinner, rest and prepare for the summit climb.

   Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

   Distance: 9km/5.5mi

   Hiking time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

5. Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit and down to Horombo Hut

   • Commence the climb early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 AM) to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point, located on the crater rim.

   • Continue, and we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn.

   • Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. Descend from here.

   • Stop for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you need all your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

   Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft

   Down to 3700m/12,200ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

   Hiking time: 6-8 hours up and 15km/9mi down

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut - Arusha or Moshi

   • Eat breakfast, and a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut.

   • Continue descending through the lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy)

   • Meet our vehicle at the Marangu gate to drive you back to the hotel or the airport. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for a celebration!

   Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

   Distance: 20km/12.5mi

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Forest.

   Meal: Breakfast.