Itinerary

1. Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

   • We will head to the Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The trail climbs through a tropical rainforest near the upper edge of the forest line, where we sometimes see playful blue monkeys. The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.

   Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft

   Distance: 8 km

   Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

   Habitat: Rainforest

   Hut: Mandara Hut

2. Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

   • Our second day on the trail starts with a steep ascent through the forest and opens into high moorland. If the sky is clear, we might get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, those two volcanic peaks make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

   Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft

   Distance: 12 km

   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

   Habitat: Heath / Moorland

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Hut to Horombo Hut

   • This extra day is used for adaptation. We hike towards or all the way to Mawenzi Hut and back. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi.

   Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,160 ft to 12,205 ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 3-5 hours

   Habitat: Heath

4. Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   • On this day we climb gently, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach our campsite which sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once at camp we rest and enjoy an early dinner and prepare for summit day.

   Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft

   Distance: 10 km

   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

   Habitat: Alpine Desert

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Point to Horombo Hut

   • We will wake up in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa. The trail to Gilman’s Point is very steep and the ascent will be slow and steady. 
   • From Gilman’s, it is a traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. 
   • We will stay at the summit for a short time, to take photos and enjoy the views, before retracing our steps all the way back to Horombo Hut.

   Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft

   Distance: 22 km

   Hiking Time: 10-13 hours

   Habitat: Arctic

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

   • A long trek is in store for today, however, it is mostly downhill. 
   • Once we reach park headquarters, there at Marangu Gate we pick up our certificate that proves our achievement and catches our vehicle transfer to the hotel in Moshi.

   Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft

   Distance: 20 km

   Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

   Habitat: RainForest