Itinerary

1. Day 1: Your Arrival Day

   • Greetings from Tanzania! As you land at Kilimanjaro Airport, your Superior African Safari guide will be there to greet you and drive you directly to your first five-star accommodation in Tanzania. 
   • You can fully enjoy your trip because this is an exclusive private safari! You’ll need to get up early tomorrow for your first Tanzania safari experience, so take advantage of today to rest up after your journey day and get a taste of what Africa has to offer.   
   • What makes a private African safari the best? You’re not required to show consideration for others. This journey is all your own. You may enjoy the remainder of the day as you please. After a long day of travel, relax and take in Africa’s sights and sounds.

2. Day 2: Moshi – Marangu Gate (1,860 M) – Mandara Hut (2,700 M)

   • In the morning after getting you breakfast you will be taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate (1,840 m). You might be lucky to catch a glimpse of the thumbless black and white colobus monkeys scrambling through the lush vegetation. 
   • Approximately 4 hours later, you will reach your destination for the day, the Mandara Hut. 
   • After a well-earned rest, your guide will take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Kenyan interior. You will spend your evening meal and overnight stay at Mandara Hut (2670 m).

3. Day 3:Mandara Hut (2,700M) – Horombo Hut (3,700 M)

   • This day continues through the heather to the edge of the short cropped moorland plains to Horombo Hut at 3,760m, from where Moshi township and the Pare ranges can be seen on a clear night. 
   • From the hut you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo peak and the Masai steppe. You will spend your evening meal and overnight stay at the Horombo Hut.

4. Day 4: Horombo Hut (3,700 M) – Zebra Rocks (3,980 M) – Horombo Hut (3,700 M)

   • After a relaxing breakfast, you will set off on a 2 to 4 hour trek to Zebra Rocks (3,980 m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a cooked lunch will be waiting for you. 
   • You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day. You will spend your evening meal and overnight stay at the Horombo Hut.

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut (4,700 M) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 M) – Horombo Hut (3,700 M)

   • You will start the journey in the middle of the night when the lava ash is still frozen and walking on it is easier. You will begin the long and strenuous trek to the summit in the dark. Passing the Hans Meyer cave at 5,200 m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. 
   • At sunrise, you will reach Gilman’s Point (5,715 m) on the crater rim. Soon you will have forgotten the cold of the night and after another 1 to 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. 
   • The descent follows the same path and the lava ash will now have thawed and allows for a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can rest a while to regain your strength. 
   • After the 1 to 2 hour break, you will be on your way down to the Horombo Hut (3,700 m) where you will arrive in the afternoon. The evening meal as well as overnight will be spent there at Horombo Hut.

6. Day 6: Summit day! Start the ascent to Uhuru Peak

   • Start the ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) around midnight. Reach the summit by sunrise, then descend back to Horombo Hut. Approx. 11-15 hours of hiking. 
   • You’ll embark on the most challenging part of the Marangu Route: reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro. The ascent begins around midnight to ensure reaching the summit by sunrise, typically the most favorable time weather-wise and for experiencing the breathtaking views.

7. Day 7: Horombo Hut (3,700 M) – Marangu Gate (1,860 M) – Moshi

   • You will start the journey in the middle of the night when the lava ash is still frozen and walking on it is easier. 
   • You will begin the long and strenuous trek to the summit in the dark. Passing the Hans Meyer cave at 5,200 m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gilman’s Point (5,715 m) on the crater rim. Soon you will have forgotten the cold of the night and after another 1 to 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. 
   • The descent follows the same path and the lava ash will now have thawed and allows for a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can rest a while to regain your strength. 
   • After the 1 to 2 hour break, you will be on your way down to the Horombo Hut (3,700 m) where you will arrive in the afternoon. The evening meal as well as overnight will be spent there at Horombo Hut.