Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arusha - Marangu Gate - Mandara Hut

   • Drive to Marangu Gate (1800m) with your Kilimanjaro trekking guide to start walking through a thick rain forest which takes 3-4 hours to Mandara Hut (2727m). The Mandara Hut is situated on the forest belt border just below the Maundi Crater.

   Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.

   Distance: 7 km
   Hiking time: 4-5 hours
   Habitat: Montane Forest

2. Day 2: Mandara Hut - Horombo Hut

   • After breakfast, proceed walking for 5-6 hours, slowly following a path through the forest and then through the heather and moorland zone from where you can view Kilimanjaro’s two peaks and Moshi town, with a lunch box. 

   • Arrive at Horombo Hut (3,720m) for dinner and overnight stay.

   Distance: 11 km
   Hiking time: 6-8 hours
   Habitat: Heath Land

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut - Mawenzi Hut

   • Spend this day acclimatising and see the amazing rocks (Zebra Rocks) that seem just like zebra stripes for 2-3 hours.
   • Get back to Horombo Hut for lunch, dinner and overnight.

   Elevation Gain and Loss: 2,900 feet
   Hiking time: 6-8 hours
   Habitat: Heath Land

4. Day 4: Horombo Hut - Uhuru Peak - Kibo Hut

   • Climb up to Kibo Hut (4703 m), 5-6  hours crossing the barren sub–Alpine terrain of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks with a picnic lunch box along the way. 

   • Relax on arrival to prepare for the next stage, which begins shortly after midnight, a very early start at around midnight.

   • Follow the zigzag path up the scree slope, frequently stopping to catch a breath in the starlit air. This is the steepest and most demanding section for the climb, taking five hours to Gillman's Point (5685m). Gillman’s Point offers excellent views of the Eastern Ice fields. 

   • See the sunrise behind Mawenzi Peak illuminating the plain. Then walk a further 45 minutes around the crater and up to the highest point Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the roof of Africa, where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the spectacular glaciers illuminated by the sunrise. 

   • After that, it is a 3-4 hour descent to Kibo Hut (3720m) with a rest at Kibo Hut on the route.

   Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.

   Distance: 10 km
   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut - Horombo Hut

   • Enjoy an easier day as you have the luxury of walking downhill on the way to the Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.

   Distance: 4 km ascent, 14 km descent

   Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
   Habitat: Artic

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate

   • Start a much easier day as you have to walk downhill from Horombo Hut to the gate, where a vehicle will be waiting for your transfer to Moshi.

   Distance: 18 km
   Hiking time: 5-7 hours
   Habitat: Rain Forest