5-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register, and commence the climb.

• Hike 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.

Meals: Lunch & Dinner

Altitude: 1,700 m to 2,740 m

Distance Covered: 7 km (4-5 hours)

Accommodation: 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. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Altitude: 2,700 m to 3,700 m

Distance Covered: 11 km (6-8 hours)

Accommodation: Horombo Hut

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

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

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Altitude: 3,700 m to 4,700 m

Distance Covered: 10 km (6-8 hours)

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim.

• Continuing, now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is 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!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Altitude: 4,700 m to 5,895 m then 5,895 m to 3,700 m

Distance Covered: 4 km up / 14 km down (10-15 hours)

• After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut.

• Continue descending through the 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.

• Meet a vehicle at Marangu Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don't forget to tip your Tanzanian guides and porters. It is time for celebration!

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Altitude: 3,700 m to 1,700 m

Distance Covered: 18 km (5-7 hours)