Itinerary

1. Day 1: Marangu gate to Mandara hut

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

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

   Distance: 8km/5mi

   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

   Habitat: Montane Forest

   Meals: Lunch, Dinner

   Budget Lodging: Mandara Hut

2. Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut

   • You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo Huts. 
   • Capture the 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, Dinner

   Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

3. Day 3: Horombo hut to Kibo hut

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

   Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut

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 ascend to Uhuru Peak, 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 resting at Kibo before continuing to the Horombo Huts. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you descend, so you need all your warm layers. This is the most challenging part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

   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

   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner 

   Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

5. Day 5: Mandara hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi town

   • After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. 
   • We then continue descending through a lush forest path to the Marangu National Park gate. 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 meet you at the 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, Lunch