Itinerary

1. Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

   • Take a short drive from Moshi town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1830 m), which lies at the edge of Marangu, and is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations.

   • After completing the entrance formalities, climb up through the attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2700 m). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich birdlife at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. (3-5 hours walking to Mandara Hut).

2. Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut 

   • The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through the forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. 

   • Climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut (3720 m). Sunrises and sunsets here are often stunning, the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds. [4-6 hours walking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut).

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   • Climb very gradually towards the alpine desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to screed and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness.

   • Reach Kibo Hut (4700 m) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday and the afternoon is free (to contemplate the summit ascent). The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night. (4-5 hours walking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut.)

4. Day 4: Summit Day then down to Horombo Hut

   • Start your ascent under torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that you can be up at Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over the loose volcanic screen, but there are some well-graded zigzag and a slow but steady pace will have you up to Gillman’s (5685 m) in about five or six hours. Take some rest there and spend some time witnessing the sunrise. You can also make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.) passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area.

   • Start the descent, which is surprisingly fast and you return to Horombo Hut for the night. (11-15 hours walking from Kibo Hut to Gillman’s Point).

5. Day 5: Horombo Hut – Moshi

   • After breakfast, start with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates to Moshi town. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day, and it really makes you realize how varied the scenery on Kilimanjaro really is. (5-6 hours of walking).

   • You can also choose to visit local kids and share with them cake, this will depend on you if you like it or you have time for that.