Itinerary

1. Day 1- Moshi – Marangu gate – Mandara Hut

   • After breakfast, connect with your tour guide and head to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at 1,840 m.

   • Upon completion of the necessary paperwork, your trek commences, and soon you will be hiking through the dense rainforest of Marangu. Looking up, you might have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the thumbless black and white colobus monkeys.

   • After you have reached the Mandara Hut (2,700 m) in approximately 4 hours, you have had some time to catch your breath. You will have the option to join a walk to the Maundi Crater, where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Kenyan interior, as well as of the gleaming lakes which share the border between Kenya and Tanzania.

   Stay the evening at Mandara Hut.

   Elevation: 1900M to 2700 M

   Distance: 8 km

   Hiking time: 4-5 hrs

   Habitat: Montane Forest

2. Day 2- Mandara Hut– Horombo Hut

   • Get up for an early breakfast strengthening you for the trek ahead, and shortly after leaving Mandara Hut, you will reach the crossroads between Horombo Hut and Maundi Crater.

   • Head in the direction of Horombu Hut, where the vegetation will change to shrubs, and you will cross the open moon, reaching your destination in approximately 4 – 6 hours. Looking back, your path will already be shrouded in clouds and looking forward. You will catch glimpses of Mawenzi, Kibo peak and the Maasai steppe.

   • After your evening meal, you will drift off to sleep at the Horombu Hut

   Elevation: 2700M to 3,700M

   Distance: 11 km

   Hiking time: 6-8 hrs

   Habitat: Heath and moorland

3. Day 3- Horombo Hut – Zebra Rocks – Horombo Hut

   • See why Zebra Rocks is on the agenda today for your body to acclimatize to the altitude. Acclimatization plays an essential role in improving your chances to reach the summit, and this 2 to 4-hour trek offers you the opportunity to stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh air. Zebra Rocks (3,980 m) is named after the distinct black and white stripes covering the rock formation.

   • Eat a hot lunch awaiting you on your return, and the rest of the afternoon is for you to enjoy the spectacular views around you and regain your strength for tomorrow’s hike.

   Stay another night at Horombo Hut.

   Elevation: 3,700M to 4700M

   Distance: 4 km

   Hiking time: 1-2 hrs

   Habitat: Heath and moorland

4. Day 4- Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut

   • After breakfast, go on a long and challenging journey to Kibo Hut with your Kilimanjaro hiking guide. The vegetation slowly changes into the alpine desert, and you will pass the “last water point” on your way to the so-called “saddle”, a plateau situated between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.

   • Arrive at the Kibo Hut in about 5 to 6 hours and go to bed straight after dinner as the summit calls for an early start, at approximately 23:00 hr.

   Elevation: 3700M to 4700M

   Distance: 9 km

   Hiking time: 6-8 hrs

   Habitat: Alpine desert

5. Day 5- Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

   • The summit day has finally arrived, and at around midnight, when the lava ash is still frozen, you will start your ascent. Your path will be strenuous with only your headlight to light the way. You will pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,200 m and slowly make your way up. Gilman’s Point at 5,715 m will be reached as the sun rises over the crater rim.

   • Continue another 1 to 2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) with your Kilimanjaro trekking guide. The cold is soon forgotten as you stand on the “Roof of Africa”, basking in the rays of the morning light.

   • After a well-deserved photo opportunity, you will descend along the same path. The lava ash will now have thawed, allowing for a faster descent.

   • Upon your arrival at Kibo Hut, a warm meal and approximate 2 hours of rest await you before you continue down to the Horombo Hut.

   Elevation: 4700M to 5895 and down to 3700M

   Distance: 6 km up/15 km down/9 km to Horombo

   Hiking time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

6. Day 6- Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi

   • The surrounding vegetation becomes greener as you continue your descent, and soon you will arrive at the Mandara Hut (2,700 m), where a hot lunch awaits you. The journey back to the park gate gives you another chance to observe the beautiful tropical rainforest and spot anything you have missed on the way up, like the Impatiens Kilimanjaro Flower, which is endemic to the rainforest on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro.

   • Arriving at the gate, you will say goodbye to your mountain crew and be taken back to your hotel.

   • At the hotel, you can enjoy a shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

   Elevation: 3700M to 1900M

   Distance: 19 km

   Hiking time: 5-8 Hrs

   Habitat: Moorland to Montane forest