Itinerary

1. Day 1: Panama Garden Resort- Marangu Gate- Rongai Gate – 1st Caves Camp

   • After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Panama Garden Resort (900m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m).

   • At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA).

   • You will then be transferred by vehicle to the Rongai trailhead, which is 2.5 hours away from the Marangu Gate. The trail begins in the tall cornfields then leads into the pine forest. This trail has a gradual ascent and allows hikers to enjoy their surroundings.

   • About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break, and then, you will reach the 1st Caves Camp (2600m) in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chef, who move very fast up the mountain, will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival.

   • After washing up, a hot dinner will be served. For overnight, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

   Hiking time: 5 hours

   Distance: Approximately 8 kilometres

   Habitat: Montane Forest

2. Day 2: 1st Caves Camp (2600m) – Kikelewa Cave (3600m)

   • Following a hot breakfast, you will continue their ascent to Kikelewa Cave (3600m). The trail passes Second Cave (3450m), and this is a good spot to take a lunch break.

   • Similar to the first night, your tents will be set up before arriving at camp, and the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then have dinner prepared by the chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this exposed camp.

   Hiking time: 6-7 hours

   Habitat: Moorlands

3. Day 3: Kikelewa Cave (3600) – Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m)

   • On this day, hikers will enjoy a short, yet steep trail to Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m).

   • In Moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel.

   • At the camp, you will enjoy spectacular views and allow their bodies to acclimate. Hot dinner and washing water will be prepared for hikers as they enjoy the magnificent sunset.

   Hiking time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Moorlands

4. Day 4: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (4330m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)

   • After breakfast, you will continue ascending east for a half-day hike to Kibo Hut. Kibo is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but you can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office.

   • An early dinner will be served so that you can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night and go to sleep at around 07:00pm.

   Hiking time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Alpine desert

5. Day 5: Summit Attempt - Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)

   • Your guide will wake you around 11:30 pm for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m).

   • Continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow-covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.

   • At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

   Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo

   Habitat: Stone scree / ice-cap summit

   Distance: Approximately 6 kilometres ascent and 21 kilometres descent

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate – Moshi

   • Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters.

   • After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires you to sign your names to receive certificates of completion. The ones who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and the ones who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

   • After receiving the certificates, you will drive back to Arusha/Moshi.

   Hiking time: 6 hours

   Distance: Approximately 27 kilometres