Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Moshi
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport and get driven to Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Once you're settled, you'll meet your climbing guide who'll brief you on what's ahead and help you sort through the gear you'll need. This is your chance to ask questions and make sure everything fits properly before the real work starts tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Meet guide for briefing and gear selection
Optional Activities
- Daily shuttle from Nairobi (7:30am departure, 3pm arrival in Moshi)
- Transfer from Arusha to Moshi
Landmarks/POIs Kilimanjaro International Airport - Day 2
Rongai to Simba Campsite
From Nale Moru village, the actual climb begins. You'll trek through maize fields and pine forest where you might spot Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys moving through the trees. The trail gradually opens up as you climb toward the first camp at the moorland zone edge, and by the time you arrive, you'll have clear views stretching out over the Kenyan plains.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Transfer to Rongai starting point
- Trek from Nale Moru through forest to Simba Campsite
- Wildlife viewing including Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys
Landmarks/POIs Nale Moru Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 3
Simba to Kikelewa Campsite
The ascent continues to Second Cave, where the views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields really start to impress. After lunch, things change as you leave the main trail and walk across moorland with Mawenzi's jagged peaks coming into view. By evening you'll reach Kikelewa camp, nestled in a sheltered valley among giant groundsels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Second Cave with views of Kibo and Eastern ice fields
- Cross moorland toward Mawenzi peaks
- Trek to Kikelewa Campsite
Landmarks/POIs Second Cave Kibo Mawenzi - Day 4
Kikelewa to Mawenzi Tarn Campsite
You're climbing grassy slopes now with all-round views that really give you a sense of how remote this place is. Vegetation becomes sparse as you reach Mawenzi Tarn, which sits dramatically beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi peak. The afternoon is yours to rest and move around camp slowly, helping your body adjust to the altitude.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Climb to Mawenzi Tarn Campsite
- Afternoon rest and exploration for acclimatization
Landmarks/POIs Mawenzi Tarn Mawenzi - Day 5
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Campsite
Today you'll cross the Saddle, a lunar-like desert landscape stretching between Mawenzi and Kibo. By afternoon you reach Kibo Campsite at the base of the crater wall. You'll spend the rest of the day resting and getting yourself mentally ready, with an early night planned since the summit push starts around 1am.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across the Saddle desert landscape
- Trek to Kibo Campsite
Landmarks/POIs Saddle Kibo - Day 6
Kibo to Summit and Horombo Campsite
Starting in darkness around 1am, you'll begin the toughest part of the climb. Switchback trails wind up through loose volcanic scree as you make your way toward Gillman's Point on the crater rim. You'll reach it in time to watch sunrise breaking over Mawenzi, and from there you can choose to push on to Uhuru Peak to see the glaciers and ice cliffs. After that, the long descent begins down to Horombo Campsite.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Final ascent to Gillman's Point by torchlight
- Sunrise viewing at Gillman's Point over Mawenzi
- Optional three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak with glaciers and ice cliffs
- Descent to Horombo Campsite
Optional Activities
- Three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896m) from Gillman's Point
Landmarks/POIs Gillman's Point Uhuru Peak Mawenzi - Day 7
Horombo to Moshi
You descend steadily through moorland to Mandara Hut, then continue down through lush forest on a well-maintained path heading toward the National Park gate at Marangu. The walk's easier on the knees now, and the forest feels cool compared to the high altitude. You'll finish at the gate, then transfer back to Springlands Hotel in Moshi for your final night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Descent to Mandara Hut
- Descent through forest to Marangu gate
- Transfer to Springlands Hotel in Moshi
Landmarks/POIs Mandara Hut Marangu Gate - Day 8
Departure
Transfer day. You'll head to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure, or arrange transport to Nairobi or Arusha depending on your next destination.
Included Activities
- Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Optional Activities
- Daily shuttle to Nairobi departing Moshi 7am (arriving approximately 2pm-3pm)
- Transfer to Arusha
Landmarks/POIs Kilimanjaro International Airport
