6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Hike to Uhuru Peak

Altitude gain: 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft; hiking time: 4-5 hours, 5 miles

• After registering at the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, you'll take your first step toward your goal - the roof of Africa. You'll be hiking through the montane forest, a lush, biodiverse zone that is home to the endemic flower Impatiens Kilimanjaro.
• Watch for blue and colobus monkeys and listen to the birdsong; the avifauna here is prolific. You may even glimpse Hartlaub's Turaco, a stunning, brightly coloured resident.
• After reaching Mandara Hut, you could walk to the Maundi Crater or relax and enjoy the scenery.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Mountain Huts

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

8,858 ft to 12,205 ft: hiking time: 6-8 hours, 7 miles

• Today, your hike will take you out of the forest and into the heathland, where giant heathers grow, and as you climb higher, you will enter the moorland.
• Here, you'll see two of the most unusual plants on Kilimanjaro: the fairy-tale-like giant groundsel and the giant lobelias.
• You'll also have your first views of the peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo. The really big one is Kibo, which you'll be scaling in a few days.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Mountain Huts

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12,205 ft to 14,400 ft: hiking time: 2-3 hours, 3 miles

• Packing your bags today is unnecessary, as you'll stay a second night at Horombo.
• Your guide will take you on an acclimatization walk to Zebra Rocks and the base of Mawenzi Peak, where you'll have glorious views of Kibo looming over the saddle. The rest of the day is spent at camp, where you can put your feet up and catch up on some rest.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Mountain Huts

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12,205 ft to 15,430 ft: hiking time: 6-8 hours, 6 miles

• Today, you'll trek into the barren high-altitude desert, crossing the boulder-strewn saddle connecting Kibo and Mawenzi. You may be lucky enough to see a predator or lammergeyer soaring on the thermals above.
• After reaching camp, the rest of the day is devoted to preparing for your summit bid - preparing your kit, eating, and resting.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Mountain Huts

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft, 4 miles ascent, 10 miles descent, 6-8 hours ascent, 4-6 hours descent

• The push for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak begins. You will be woken at around 11:30 pm to make a start just after midnight. This is where your grit and determination will be called upon, but your reward is possibly the most amazing sunrise you'll ever see on the horizon behind Mawenzi.
• You'll probably be around Gilman's Point (5685 m) by now, so it's time for a much-needed breather before walking around the top of the crater rim, passing Stella Point and finally reaching Uhuru.
• Take some time to enjoy the views of the crater and glaciers, then retrace your steps back to Kibo for breakfast and a rest.
• You'll then descend to Horombo Hut, which will feel oxygen-rich after the summit and a long night's sleep.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Mountain Huts

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

12,205 ft to 6,046 ft: hiking time: 5-7 hours, 12 miles

• Your last day on the mountain will start after breakfast. Thank your crew, then head back down to the forest, stopping for lunch at Mandara Hut and continuing on to Marangu Gate. Your guide will arrange your certificates, and our driver will meet you to transfer you to your hotel for a long hot shower and a celebration.

Accommodations: Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner