8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

1

Day 01

Arrival in Tanzania and Trek Preparation

• You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town.
• There, you will meet your guide, who will brief you on your upcoming trek and carry out an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear.
• Any missing gear can be rented on this day.

2

Day 02

Moshi to Mandara Hut via Rainforest

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

3

Day 03

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

• 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.

4

Day 04

Acclimatization Hike to Zebra Rocks

• Day four is an acclimatization day.
• We suggest hiking all the way to Mawenzi Hut to allow for maximum acclimatization.
• This hike will increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak and also reward you with magnificent views of Kibo.
• Return to Horombo for a late lunch.
• Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at Horombo.

5

Day 05

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

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

6

Day 06

Summit Attempt to Uhuru Peak and Descent

• Very early in the morning, between midnight and 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 on, ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
• There are unbelievable views at every turn, and you will have the chance to take your picture 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.

7

Day 07

Descent to Marangu Gate and Return to Moshi

• After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut.
• Continue descending 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, and shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, though you should 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 away.

8

Day 08

Departure from Kilimanjaro

• After breakfast, our driver will take you to the airport for your return flight home.
• If you have decided on a safari, then you can begin your second adventure, which we are also happy to arrange.