Itinerary

1. Day-1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

   • Hikers will head to the Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The track climbs through a tropical rainforest near the upper edge of the forest line, where we sometimes see playful blue monkeys. The track then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut campsite.

   Rising(ft): 6,046ft to 8,858ft
   Stretch: 8 km
   Climate: Rainforest
   Hiking time: 4-5 hours
   Shelter: Mandara Hut

2. Day-2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

   • Our second day on the Marangu hiking route trail will begin with a steep ascent through the forest and open into high moorland. If the sky is clear and with no clouds, we may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks, two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

   Rising (ft): 8,858ft to 12,205ft
   Stretch: 12 km
   Hiking time: 6-8 hours
   Climate habitat: Heath/moorland

3. Day-3: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Hut to Horombo Hut

   • This extra day is used for acclimatization; we hike towards or all the way to Mawenzi Hut and back. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi.

   Rising(ft): 12,205ft to 14,160ft to 12,205ft
   Stretch: 10 km
   Hiking time: 3-5 hours
   Climatic habitat: Heath

4. Day-4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   • On day four, hikers will climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach our campsite, which sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once at camp, hikers rest, enjoy an early dinner and prepare for the summit hiking day.

   Rising (ft): 12,205ft to 15,430ft
   Stretch: 10 km
   Hiking time: 6-8 hours
   Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day-5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Point to Horombo Hut

   • Hikers and the team wake in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa. The trail to Gilman’s Point is very steep, and the ascent will be slow and steady. From Gilman’s, it is a traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. The hikers and the team stay at the summit for a short time to take photos and enjoy the views before retracing all the way back to Horombo Hut.

   Rising(ft): 15,430ft to 19,341ft to 12,205ft
   Stretch: 22 km
   Hiking time: 10-13 hours
   Climatic habitat: Arctic

6. Day-6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

   • A long trek is in store for today; however, it is mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate, hikers pick up our certificate that proves our achievement and catches our car drive transfer to the hotel in Moshi.

   Descend(ft): 12,205ft to 6,046ft
   Stretch: 20 km
   Hiking time: 5-7 hours
   Climatic habitat: Rainforest