Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi - Marangu Gate – Kilema Gate – Horombo Hut

   • Meet your guide and embark on your transfer to the Marangu Gate, which takes about 45 minutes.
   • Pass through the village of Marangu on the mountain's lower slopes.
   • Register at the park office upon reaching the Marangu Gate.
   • Drive to the Kilema Gate, ensure you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing), and do a final check on your mountain bike.
   • Start the first route section of 16km (with your guide also on a mountain bike) from the Kilema Gate (1,950m) to the Horombo Hut (3,705m).
   • Stop regularly to give your body the maximum time to adjust to the higher altitudes.
     • Bikers with good fitness levels, mountain biking skills and subject to road conditions will be able to cycle all the way to Horombo Hut.
     • Remember that the biggest cause of altitude sickness is ascending too high too quickly.
   • Aim to reach Horombo Hut at around 15:00.
   • Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo Hut.

2. Day 2: Horombo Acclimatization (Horombo Hut – Mawenzi Hut - Horombo)

   • Start cycling through the Alpine desert vegetation after breakfast.
   • Ride on the small stone area up to Mawenzi Hut.
   • Enjoy the scenic views and unique terrain of the Alpine desert.
   • Return back to Horombo Hut.
     • The cycling distance for the day is 10 kilometres.

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut

   • Meet your guide and start your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat after an early breakfast.
     • The first 3 km of the trail is very rocky, and cycling will be challenging as this section is stony and eroded.
     • After about 3km, the trail improves, and cycling will again be possible.
     • The “Saddle” (located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo) is relatively flat, and cycling is much easier.
     • High altitudes, low oxygen levels, and cold conditions make the 7km section towards Kibo Hut strenuous and challenging.
     • The final km before reaching Kibo hut is incredibly strenuous, and you will be reminded to slow down and drink enough water.
   • Arrive at Kibo Hut and enjoy lunch.
   • Embark on an incredible Kilimanjaro downhill, descending nearly 800m over 7km.
     • The final 3km descent to Horombo Hut is very technical and challenging.
     • Take breaks as needed to rest and acclimatize to the higher altitudes.
   • Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo Hut.

4. Day 4: Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut

   • Wake up early and ensure your duffel bags are packed and ready to go.
   • Meet your guide and head back to Kibo Hut after breakfast.
     • The first 3km would require you to push and carry your bike a lot, with the final 7km to Kibo Hut offering a good biking trail.
   • Enjoy lunch and aim to rest.
   • Hike up the summit path to orientate yourself for the summit attempt later, around 16:00, depending on how you feel.
     • Kibo Hut is situated in the barren alpine desert, a stone-built block house with bunk beds for 60 climbers but no streams with water nearby.
     • Prepare your equipment, thermal clothing, etc., for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries, and make sure you have a spare set available as well.
     • To prevent freezing, it will be wise for you, summit potters or guide, to carry your water in a thermal flask.
   • Go to bed at about 19:00 p.m. and get as much rest and sleep as possible until 22:00.
   • Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Kibo Hut.

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut - Summit Then Horombo Hut

   • At 4:00 a.m., your guides will wake you to start the zigzag trek up the long screen slope.
   • After roughly two hours, you should reach Hans Meyer’s Cave, and the gradient gets steeper from here.
   • Continue your climb for approximately another three hours to Gilman’s Point.
   • Take your bike from porters and start riding to Uhuru Peak.
   • Arrive at Uhuru Peak, take photos, and then ride down to Stella Point for a few minutes.
   • After lunch, ride down to Horombo Hut. From Kibo to Horombo is 100% alpine desert vegetation /icecap.
   • Amaze at the scenic views and unique terrain of the Alpine desert.
   • Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo Hut.

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut - Kilema Gate - Marangu Gate to Moshi

   • After breakfast, ride down from Horombo Hut to Kilema Gate.
   • Enjoy the scenic descent across the alpine and the rainforest.
   • At Kilema Gate, you will be transferred to Marangu Gate for checkout.
   • From Marangu Gate, transfer to the hotel in Moshi.
   • Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at Arusha/Moshi.