Itinerary

1. Day 1 - Kilimanjaro Airport – Moshi | Springlands Hotel

   • Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or similar for overnight.

   Overnight at Springlands Hotel (bed and breakfast) or similar.

2. Day 2 - Moshi | Marangu Gate | Mandara Hut

   • Leave Springlands Hotel at about 8:00 AM and drive 45 minutes to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate, such as registrations. 
   • Begin hiking at about 10:30 a.m. Hike through the rainforest from the park gate to Mandara Hut, which takes about 4 hours. 
   • Stop halfway for lunch. Reach the Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 p.m. Unpack, rest, and have tea or coffee. 
   • Dinner is served during the early evening, at about 7 p.m. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings and the views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.

   Altitude: 1,800 m –  2,720 m

   Hiking time: 4 hours

3. Day 3 - Mandara Hut | Horombo Hut

   • Wake up for breakfast (approx. 7:30 a.m.) and pack for the next leg. 
   • Break camp at about 8:30 am and hike to Horombo Hut. This shall take approx. 5 to 6 hrs.
   • Travel through lower-heath land with small shrubs being the primary vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch. 
   • Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive at Horombo Huts at about 3 p.m. Rest, unpack and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.

   Altitude: 2,720 m –  3,720 m

   Hiking time: 5-6 hours

4. Day 4 - Horombo Hut (Acclimatization Day)

   • This day you will have an extra day at Horombo Hut (3,720 m) for acclimatization. It will be excellent training for your body to get used to the altitude as you walk around the hut up to zebra rocks at 4,100 m and back. You will get spectacular views and familiarize yourself with summit weather. 

   Stay overnight at Horombo Hut.

5. Day 5 - Horombo Hut | Kibo Hut

   • Wake up for breakfast as usual (if you wake before sun-up, you can get some great sunrise photos). 
   • Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Huts. The first half of the day’s hike traverses the upper heath land, while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The day’s hike should take 6 to 7 hours, stopping halfway for lunch. There is no running water at Kibo Huts.

   Altitude: 3,720 m –  4,720 m

   Hiking time: 6–7 hours

6. Day 6 - Kibo Hut | Summit | Horombo Hut

   • Wake up at midnight to a light breakfast, then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out early, before dawn, so the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise. 
   • Leave at about 1:00 a.m. and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00 a.m. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to UhuruPeak at about 8:30 a.m. 
   • From there, you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Huts, where you will spend the night. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.

   Altitude: 4,720 m –  5,895 m

   Hiking time: 7 hours

7. Day 7 - Horombo Hut | Marangu Gate | Springlands Hotel

   • Wake, as usual, pack, and descend to Mandara Huts. 
   • Have your lunch there and continue to the park gate, where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. 
   • You should reach the park gate around 2 or 3 p.m. 
   • You will now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower.
   • Overnight in Springlands Hotel. 
     • It is recommended to tip guides and porters; this is highly appreciated at the end of their trip. Tips can be given to the leading guide at Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5,759m) are issued green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates.

   Overnight at Springlands Hotel (bed and breakfast) or similar.

8. Day 8 - Moshi | Kilimanjaro Airport

   • Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. Zanzibar is a great trip to take after a challenging climb. 
   • Other trips around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region can be arranged at a reasonable price.