Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arusha to Marangu

   • After breakfast, go for a 45-minute drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate.

   • Upon arrival,  register with the park authorities and start the trek with a four-hour walk to the Mandara encampment.

   • Pass through a thick rainforest zone, where you might encounter rain.

   • Spend the night at Mandara Hut (2,750m). 

2. Day 2: Mandara to Horombo

   • Continue the ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3,000m (approximately a six-hour walk).

   • Upon arrival, enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude.

   • Spend the night at Horombo Hut (3,720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia flowers.

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut

   • The trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.

   • Upon arrival, observe how the vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4,000m). Cross the saddle and notice the snow-laden Kibo Peak.

   • Reach Kibo hut around 1 pm and spend the rest of the day in leisure.

4. Day 4: Kibo Hut

   • Shortly after midnight, commence the climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro. An early start increases the chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise.

   • Walk for around four hours and reach the Gilman's Point. Continue walking for two-hours along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

   • From the summit, it is a downhill trek to Horombo Hut. Spend the last night amidst the mountains.

5. DAY 5: Marangu - Moshi - Arusha

   • After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha.