Itinerary

1. Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut

   • After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register, and commence the climb.
   • Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
   • In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

   Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

   Distance: 8km/5mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Montane Forest

   Meals: Lunch and Dinner

2. Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

   • You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment.
   • Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels.
   • You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

   Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

   Distance: 12km/7.5mi

   Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Heathland

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   • Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
   • Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”.
   • Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

   Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

   Distance: 9km/5.5mi

   Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

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.
   • Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn.
   • Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family.
   • From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.

   Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft (up) / Down to 3700m/12,200ft

   Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 6-8 hours down

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

5. Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi

   • After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut.
   • Continue descending through 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).
   • A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).

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

   Distance: 20km/12.5mi

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Forest

   Meals: Breakfast