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

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, about an hour away, register, and commence the climb.
• Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is suggested for views of the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

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

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Leave the rainforest and follow an ascending path across the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. From here, Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo look amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

• Moving forward, pass the last watering point and walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins as upper heathland and then disappears into a "moonscape".
• Dinner, rest, and preparation for the summit climb.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim.
• After that, reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. The view at every turn is beautiful. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family.
• From here, descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo, before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly, "pole pole," with an optimistic attitude will get you there.

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

• After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through the moorland to Mandara Hut.
• Continue descending through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. 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.
• A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours