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

• Depart from Moshi or Arusha.

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive for about 45 minutes to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, complete registration, and commence the climb.

• Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment.

• A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

Altitude: 5,500 ft / 1,700 m to 9,000 ft / 2,740 m

Distance: 7 km

Time: 4-5 hours

Montane Forest

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Mandara Hut

• Leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path across the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels along the way. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Altitude: 9,000 ft / 2,700 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m

Distance: 11 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Heathland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

• Ascending further, pass the last watering point and walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland and then disappears into a "moonscape".

• Have dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

Altitude: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 15,400 ft / 4,700 m

Distance: 10 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point on the crater rim with the Tanzanian mountain guide.

• Continue ascending to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. 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.

• The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly "pole pole" and keeping an optimistic attitude will get you there.

Altitude: 15,400 ft / 4,700 m to 19,300 ft / 5,895 m

19,300 ft / 5,895 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m

Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down

Time: 10-15 hours

Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Budget Lodging: Horombo Camp

• After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut with the Tanzanian mountain guide.

• 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, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

• A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!

Altitude: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 5,500 ft / 1,700 m

Distance: 18 km

Time: 5-7 hours

Meals: Breakfast