5-Day Kilimanjaro Summit Trek to Uhuru Peak from Moshi

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), complete registration, and commence the climb.
• Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
• In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

• 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: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 12km/7.5mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heathland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• Ascending further, pass the last watering point and walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
• Vegetation begins as upper heathland but then disappears into a "moonscape".
• Have dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Distance: 9km/5.5mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• 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 on the crater rim.
• Continue ascending to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn.
• Have your picture 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.

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft (up) / Down to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 6-8 hours down

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

• After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut.
• Continue descending along a lush 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 be waiting for you at Marangu Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast