5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route to Uhuru Peak

• Begin with a short drive from Moshi town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 meters) at the edge of Marangu, an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations.

• After completing the entrance formalities, start climbing through the attractive and unspoiled forest to reach Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make for a good afternoon excursion.

• An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is rich birdlife in the region, and monkeys are often seen as well.

Overnight stay.

3-5 hours walking

• Start walking towards Horombo Hut with your Kilimanjaro trekking guide. The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through the forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland. On a clear day, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.

• Climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather trees and occasional stands of groundsel, to reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m).

• Be ready for incredible sunrise and sunset views. The picturesque view of the glaciated dome of Kibo Peak is a real delight.

Overnight stay.

4-6 hours walking

• Climb very gradually towards the lunar desert between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to scree, and there is a palpable sense of high-altitude wilderness.

• Reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m) by around midday.

• Spend the latter half of the day at leisure.

• Relax and prepare yourself for the summit.

• Retire very early in the night.

4-5 hours walking

• Start your ascent using torchlight at about 01:00 am so that you can be at Gillman's Point by sunrise. The initial stretch is a steep climb over loose volcanic scree, but there are some well-graded zigzags that will help you make it to Gillman's Point (5,685 m) in about five or six hours.

• Once at Gillman's Point, get some rest and spend some time witnessing the sunrise.

• Those who are still feeling strong can set out for the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), the highest point in Africa.

• Start the descent to Horombo Hut, where you stay for the night.

11-15 hours walking

• After breakfast, start with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then continue through the lush forest, arriving at the national park gates.

• From here, transfer to Moshi.

End of the tour.