Itinerary

1. Day 1: Rongai Gate (Nale Moru) to Simba Camp

   • Drive to the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (about 2 hours, including a stop to get permits at Marangu).

   • After signing in and preparing porters, begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the pine forest.

   • Trail starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out, and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

   Elevation: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Montane Forest

2. Day 2: Simba Camp to Second Cave

   • The morning hike is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with incredible views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

   Elevation: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi

   Walking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Moorland

3. Day 3: Second Cave to Third Cave to Kibo Hut

   • Today, continue the hike from the Second Cave to the Third Cave.

   • Hike to Kibo Hut at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall.

   • Spend the remainder of the day resting in preparation for the final ascent.

   Second Cave to Third Cave 

   Elevation: 3450m/11,300ft to 3880m/12,700ft

   Distance: 9km/5mi

   Walking Time: 2-3 hours

   Habitat: Semi-desert

   Third Cave to Kibo Hut

   Elevation: 3880m/12,700ft to 4750m/15,600ft

   Distance: 5km/3mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

4. Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

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

   • Ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn.

   • Have a picture taken at the summit to show it to friends and family.

   • From here, descend, stopping 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 climbers start descending, so wear warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks.

   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/15km/9mi down

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi

   • After breakfast, a steady descent will take climbers 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 Marangu village and drive back to the hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour). Don’t forget to tip guides and porters.

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

   Distance: 20km/12.5mi

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Forest