Itinerary

1. Day 1- Marangu Gate (1860m) to Mandara Hut (2700m)

   Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2mi
   Approx. time taken: 5 hours
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Accommodation: Mandara Hut

   • After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. 
   • Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek can begin, and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. 
   • Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. 
   • After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.

2. Day 2- Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

   Distance covered:12.5km / 7.8mi
   Approx. time taken: 9 hours
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Accommodation: Horombo Hut

   • The day begins with an early breakfast. 
   • Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. 
   • Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. 
   • From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi ridge

   Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,400 ft
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
   Habitat: Heath

   Mawenzi Ridge to Horombo Hut
   Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft to 12,205
   Distance: 5 km/3 miles
   Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
   Habitat: Heath
   Accommodation: Horombo

   • This is an extra day meant for acclimatization and can be spent day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. 
   • The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. 
   • After spending a few moments exploring the area we head back to Horombo Hut.

4. Day 4: Horombo to Kibo Hut

   Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi
   Approx. time taken: 8 hours
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Accommodation: Kibo Hut

   • Today’s stage is long and tough.The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. 
   • Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. 
   • Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut (4700m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

   Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
   Approx. time taken: 12hours – 15hours
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
   Accommodation: Horombo Hut

   • Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. 
   • You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. 
   • Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. 
   • At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. 
   • You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m.
   • On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

   Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
   Approx. time taken: 8 hours
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
   Accommodation: Moshi/arusha

   • The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you.
   • Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). 
   • After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. 
   • Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.