Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrival and climb briefing

   • Today has no planned activities and is only an arrival day for you to reach your base lodge in time for a pre-climb briefing with your mountain guide.
   • You will meet your guide before the beginning of your climb. He will brief you and give you details, like what to wear, what to put in your backpack, and other essential tips to make the climb as comfortable as possible.

2. Day 2: Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,000 ft) - Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft)

   • You will be transferred by road from Moshi (or Arusha) to Marangu gate.
   • After registration, you trek today through the mountain rainforest zone with your guide.
   • On your way to Mandara hut, you may encounter some wild animals such as colobus monkeys, bird species, and plant species.
   • After a rest, you will trek to the rim of Maundi Crater with a spectacular view of Mawenzi Peak.
   • Later, descend back to Mandara hut.

3. Day 3: Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)

   • Today’s hike is a little longer than the day before and takes you outside of the rainforest and into the heather and moorland zone, ascending through the changed landscape.
   • Today feels more like a mountain trek with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi towering in the background on a clear day.
   • You may encounter some birds along the trail and eventually come across the giant Kilimanjaro groundsels unique to the park. 

4. Day 4: Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft) – towards Kibo Huts (4,700 m/ 15,419 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)

   • Today is your additional acclimatization day. After breakfast, you will hike towards Kibo huts and back. This gives your body ample time to get used to the altitude.
   • After lunch, you can take pictures of the Mawenzi Vulcano, discover the area, or rest.
   • Have a good night's sleep at the Horombo Huts again to prepare for the next day.

5. Day 5: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   • Your hike today takes you directly towards the Kibo cone. You will steadily climb through the alpine desert, and the landscape will change dramatically as you leave the heather and moorland zone behind and journey on the barren saddle (the dip between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks).
   • You will reach the hut in time to rest for your summit attempt tonight.

6. Day 6: Kibo Hut to Gilman's point to Uhuru peak to Horombo Hut

   • In the early morning (around 00:00 am), you begin your final ascent to the summit of Uhuru peak through the arctic zone. The trek is a steep hike over loose volcanic scree through the dark and cold night and takes a slow pace in a zig-zag pattern towards Gilman’s Point (5681m or 18640ft), your first stop on the Kibo crater rim.
   • From here, a short (but difficult) hike remains to take you past Stella Point (the first stop on the rim for those summiting from Barafu camp / the Southern circuit) and further around till Uhuru Peak (5895m or 19341ft) the highest point in Africa. You usually don’t spend that long at the peak due to the extreme altitude and will descend back down to the base camp for your breakfast/brunch.
   • After packing up your gear, you continue the descent back through the alpine desert, heather and moorland, where you stop for the night.

7. Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu gate

   • Today, you descend to Marangu Gate, the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park, where your incredible journey ends. The wonderful five to six-hour walk takes you through beautiful forests.
   • Once at Marangu Gate, your guide drives you back to the hotel for a well-deserved rest and a little celebration of your remarkable achievement.

8. Day 8: Departure

   • As your itinerary nears its end on the 8th day, we must bid farewell. If you are eager to continue your African adventure, we would be honoured to plan a post-climbing Safari trip or a day excursion. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you want to extend your stay with us.