Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi - Rongai gate - Simba Camp

   • Transfer by our vehicles through many villages and coffee and plantations for a 2–3-hour drive to Rongai gate (1,950 m/6,398 ft). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will start hiking on a wide path winding through fields of maize and potatoes and then enter into Montana forest. 
   • Start to climb gently but consistently through a beautiful forest that shelters various wildlife. The forest begins to thin as you arrive at Simba Camp (2,600 m/8,530ft) with fantastic views over the Kenyan plains.

   Elevation: 1387/915 m to 1950 m to 2750 m, Distance: 9 km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Habitat: Montana Forest

2. Day 2: Simba Camp - Kikelewa Camp

   • Ascend to the second camp, where you will stop for lunch. 
   • Leave the direct trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi side peak to Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley. At the Kikelewa Camp, you will settle for your dinner and overnight rest.

   Elevation: 2750 m to 3600 m, Distance: 17 km, Hiking Time: 7 hours, Habitat: Moorland

3. Day 3: Kikelewa camp - Mawenzi turn hut

   • Start a short, steep climb up grassy slopes, rewarded by superb all-round views, immersed in the vast surrounding wilderness. 
   • Leave the vegetation behind and arrive at the Mawenzi Tarn Camp, which is situated in a spectacular cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak. 
   • Reach the Mawenzi turn hut camp where you will also see the amazing undried Lake with no inlet and an outlet where you will have lunch and rest, then dinner and overnight at this camp.

   Elevation: 3600m to 4330m, Distance: 7km, Hiking Time: 4 hours, Habitat: Semi-Desert

4. Day 4: Acclimatization

   • Enjoy your extra day on the mountain, and you will spend two nights at Mawenzi Tarn. 
   • Hike up towards Mawenzi for a splendid acclimatization hike. 
   • Then return to the camp for lunch, dinner and overnight.

5. Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn hut - Kibo Huts camp

   • Cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Kibo peak and Mawenzi peak to Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo’s crater wall. 
   • Spend the remainder of the day resting and preparing for your summit climb.

   Elevation: 4330 m to 4695 m, Distance: 8km, Hiking Time: 5 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert

6. Day 6: Summit Day! Kibo Huts camp - Uhuru Peak - Horombo Huts camp

   • Have breakfast, and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn to reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. 
   • Leave to the peak at noon, switch back up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. 
   • Hike along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snow takes you to Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here, you will spend some time taking photos, but it will depend on how you feel. 
   • Descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment, and continue down, re-crossing the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.

   Elevation: 4695 m to 5895 m to 3690 m, Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down, Hiking Time: 10-15 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

7. Day 7: Horombo Huts camp - Marangu Gate - Moshi

   • Start to descend through the moorland to Mandara Huts. You will have lunch, then proceed with your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to Marangu park gate. Here you will sign out then a vehicle will take you back to the hotel, where it is time for the certificate presentation and celebration!

   Day of departure: Transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.

   Elevation: 3690 m to 1830 m to 1387 m, Distance: 18 km, Descending Time: 5-7 hours