5-Day Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route to Uhuru Peak

After breakfast and a consultation, we will drive you to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), where hikers will be required to register and begin the climb. The walk continues through the rainforest to the Mandara camping area. 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, colobus monkeys, and attractive birdlife.

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

Stretch: 7 km
Hike time: 4-5 hours
Climatic habitat: Montane forest
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Shelter: Mandara Hut

Hikers will leave the openings of the rainforest and follow an ascending path across open hills to the Horombo camping area. The views of the summits of Kibo and Mawenzi are awesome. Look for groundsels and giant lobelias. Hikers may begin to feel the effects of the gain in altitude.

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

Stretch: 11 km

Hike time: 6-8 hours

Climatic habitat: Heathland/moorland

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Shelter: Horombo Hut

Climbing up the Marangu Route, we now pass the last watering point and walk into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation changes through upper heathland and then disappears into a "moonscape." Hikers eat, relax, and prepare for the summit climb.

Rising: 12,100 ft/3,700 m to 15,400 ft/4,700 m
Stretch: 10 km
Hike time: 6-8 hours
Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Shelter: Kibo Hut

Very early in the morning, from midnight to 2:00 am, hikers commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater flange. Continuing on, we hike and ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. There are awesome and unbelievable views at every turn. Hikers can have their picture taken at the summit to show friends and family.

From here, we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo camping ground. This summit climb begins 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 and jackets. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Hikers are best advised to go slowly, "pole," and an optimistic attitude will help get you to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa.

Rising: 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
Stretch: 4 km up/14 km down
Hike time: 10-15 hours
Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Shelter: Horombo camp

A long trek is in store for today. However, it is mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate, hikers pick up their certificate showing their success, and the driver will pick you up and return you to Moshi.