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

• Start at 8 a.m. and take a short drive from Moshi town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m), which lies at the edge of Marangu.
• Complete the entrance formalities and climb through an attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m).
• In the afternoon, go on an excursion to the volcanic remains of Maundi Crater, or take a rest and enjoy the beautiful forest brimming with rich birdlife and monkeys.

Duration of the walk: 3-5 hours to Mandara Hut.

• Take a steep ascent through the forest and arrive in the grassy moorland. If the weather is clear, enjoy good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks from here.

• Climb steadily through the moorland zone, which contains giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel.

• Reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning, and this region is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, giving a real sense of being above the clouds.

Duration of the walk: 4-6 hours from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut.

• Take a gradual climb towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain has a palpable sense of high-altitude wilderness.
• Arrive at Kibo Hut (4,700 m) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday to contemplate the summit ascent. Take a rest and prepare for the final climb.

Duration of the walk: 4-5 hours from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut.

• Begin the ascent at 1 a.m. and reach Gillman's Point (5,685 m) by sunrise.

• Take some rest and spend time marvelling at the beauty of the incredible sunrise view.

• Make the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m) if you are not tired.

• Pass by the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area, then return to Horombo Hut for the night.

Duration of the walk: 5-6 hours to Gillman's Point and 3-4 hours back to Horombo Hut.

• Enjoy breakfast and begin a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara.

• Take a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day.

• Return to Moshi at the end of the tour.