Itinerary

1. Day 1: Moshi/Arusha – Marangu Gate (1,870m) to Mandara Hut (2,720m)

   • Your adventure begins with a morning drive from Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate (1,870m), the official starting point of your Kilimanjaro trek. 
   • After registering with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities, you’ll meet your guides, porters, and cook, who will accompany you throughout the journey. The trek starts in the lush rainforest, where towering trees, ferns, and a variety of monkeys and exotic birds create a lively atmosphere. 
   • Elevation: 1,870m to 2,720m
   • Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
   • Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
   • Habitat: Rainforest

2. Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,720m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)

   • Elevation: 2,720m to 3,720m
   • Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
   • Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
   • Habitat: Heath and moorland
   • After an early breakfast, you’ll leave behind the dense rainforest and transition into the heath and moorland zone. The trail gradually ascends, offering stunning views of Mawenzi Peak (5,149m), Kilimanjaro’s second-highest summit. 
   • The vegetation shifts to giant heather and unique plants like lobelias and giant groundsels, which thrive in the high-altitude environment.

3. Day 3: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Kibo Hut (4,703m)

   • Elevation: 3,720m to 4,703m
   • Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
   • Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
   • Habitat: Alpine desert
   • Today’s trek is longer and more demanding as you ascend into the alpine desert zone, where the landscape becomes barren with rocky terrain and little vegetation. 
   • You’ll pass the famous “Last Water Point” before heading towards the Saddle, a vast, open stretch of land that connects Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. 
   • This area is dry, windy, and exposed to harsh mountain conditions, so proper layering and hydration are essential.

4. Day 4: Kibo Hut (4,703m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

   • Elevation: 4,703m to 5,895m (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3,720m
   • Hiking Time: 10–14 hours (6–8 hours to summit, 4–6 hours descent)
   • Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles
   • Habitat: Arctic to alpine desert to moorland
   • This is the most challenging and rewarding day of your trek. Your summit push begins around midnight as you embark on a steep, slow climb in complete darkness, using headlamps to navigate the rocky path.
   • The air is thin and freezing, making each step more difficult. Your guide will encourage a slow but steady pace, following the famous “pole pole” (slowly, slowly) technique to conserve energy.
   • After 5–6 hours of relentless ascent, you’ll reach Gilman’s Point (5,685m) on the crater rim, where the first light of dawn paints the sky with magnificent hues. From here, another 1–2 hours of trekking leads you to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – the highest point in Africa! Standing on the “Roof of Africa”, you’ll witness breathtaking glaciers, endless horizons, and a deep sense of accomplishment.

5. Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,870m) – Moshi/Arusha

   • Elevation: 3,720m to 1,870m
   • Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
   • Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles
   • Habitat: Heath and rainforest
   • Your final day on the mountain starts with a long descent through the heath and moorland, eventually leading back into the rainforest. The hike to Marangu Gate (1,870m) takes around 6–7 hours and covers approximately 20 km (12.4 miles). 
   • As you descend, the air becomes warmer and richer in oxygen, making breathing easier.
   • At Marangu Gate, you’ll sign out with the park authorities and receive your summit certificate – a Green Certificate for reaching Gilman’s Point or a Gold Certificate for reaching Uhuru Peak. Your driver will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi or Arusha, where you can celebrate your incredible achievement with a warm shower, a hearty meal, and well-deserved rest!