6-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak via Kibo and Horombo

• After breakfast, connect with your tour guide and drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), where you will register and commence the climb.
• Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is an excellent way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
• In the rainforest, look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

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

Distance: 7 km

Time: 4-5 hours

Climatic Zone: Montane Forest

Meals: L, D

Hut: 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.

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

Distance: 11 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Climatic Zone: Heathland/Moorland

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Horombo Hut

• Ascend past the last watering point, walking into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins as upper heathland, then disappears into a "moonscape".

Dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

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

Distance: 10 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Kibo Hut

• 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.
• Then ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. There are extraordinary views at every turn. You will have some pictures 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 the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly "pole pole" and having an optimistic attitude will get you there.

Elevation: 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

Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Horombo Camp

• After breakfast, the descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut.
• Continue descending through the bush 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 Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration.

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

Distance: 18 km

Time: 5-7 hours

Meals: B

• Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport to board your return flight.