Itinerary

1. Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut

   • After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register 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. Look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys in the rainforest.

   Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
   Distance: 8km/5mi
   Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
   Habitat: Montane Forest
   Meals: Lunch and Dinner

2. Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

   • You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. The 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

3. Day 3: Rest Day at Horombo Hut

   • Rest day at Horombo Hut with an optional hike by Mawenzi Peak.

   Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft
   Distance: 0km/0mi
   Hiking Time: 0 hours
   Habitat: Heathland
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

4. Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   • Ascending, we pass the last watering point and walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with the upper heathland but then disappears into a “moonscape.” 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

5. Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

   • 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, located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is 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, we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing to the Horombo encampment.

   Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
   Down to 3700m/12,200ft
   Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
   Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
   Habitat: Alpine Desert
   Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

6. Day 6: Horombo Hut to Moshi

   • After breakfast, a steady descent takes us through the moorland to the Mandara Hut. We then descend through 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 (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