Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival in Moshi
After landing at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you'll be picked up and driven to Moshi, which takes about 45 minutes. Once you arrive, there's time for dinner and settling into your accommodation. Later in the evening, the operating manager will meet with you to go over what to expect from tomorrow's climb and answer any questions you might have.
- Meals
- Dinner
Landmarks/POIs Kilimanjaro International Airport - Day 2
Marangu Gate to First Cave
You'll register at Marangu Park Gate before heading to the Rongai trailhead, roughly a 2.5-hour drive from there. Meeting your guide and porters marks the real start of your climb. From here, the hike takes you through maize fields and pine forest on an easy trail to First Cave camp at 2,600m/8,530ft. The whole trek covers about 8 km and takes around 5 hours, so you'll have time to settle in before dark.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike from Nale Moru village through maize fields and pine forest to First Cave camp
- Registration at Marangu Park Gate
Landmarks/POIs Marangu Park Gate Rongai Trailhead Nale Moru village First Cave - Day 3
First Cave to Kikelewa Caves
The trail climbs higher as you make your way toward Kibo, passing Second Cave at 3,450m/11,320ft along the way. By the time you reach Kikelewa Cave around 3,600m/11,810ft, the landscape starts opening up with better views the higher you go. After the 5-hour hike, you'll spend the night at the 3rd Cave camp, also called Kikelewa Caves, and the altitude will start making itself known.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike from First Cave through Second Cave to Kikelewa Caves
Landmarks/POIs Second Cave Kikelewa Caves Kibo - Day 4
Kikelewa Caves to Mawenzi Tarn
This day involves a shorter but noticeably steeper push up grassy slopes, and the effort pays off because you get great views across the wilderness. Reaching Mawenzi Tarn is special because it sits right below the dramatic spires of Mawenzi itself. Once you're there, the afternoon is yours to acclimatize and walk around the area at your own pace, which helps your body adjust before the harder days ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike from Kikelewa Caves to Mawenzi Tarn
- Acclimatization and area exploration
Landmarks/POIs Mawenzi Tarn Mawenzi - Day 5
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Hut
You'll move up the east side of Kibo and cross the saddle between the two main peaks, taking 4 to 5 hours total. After reaching Kibo Hut, there's not much to do except rest and prepare yourself mentally. Dinner happens early because the summit push begins around midnight, so you'll want to get what sleep you can before the long night ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike from Mawenzi Tarn across saddle to Kibo Hut
- Rest and acclimatization
Landmarks/POIs Kibo Hut Kibo - Day 6
Summit Ascent and Descent to Horombo Hut
At 11:30 p.m., you wake for tea and biscuits, then head out into the dark for the summit push. The climb to Gillman's Point on the crater rim at 5,681m/18,635ft is steep and demanding, then you continue on to Uhuru Peak at 5,895m/19,341ft, which is Africa's highest point. After time at the summit, you descend back to Kibo Hut and keep going down to Horombo Hut, a 6-hour descent. All told, you'll be walking around 14 hours, and by evening you'll be ready for a hot meal and rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Tea and biscuits before ascent), Dinner (Last dinner on the mountain)
Included Activities
- Ascent to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150 m)
- Climb to Gillman's Point (5,681 m) on crater rim
- Ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m)
- Descent to Kibo Hut
- Descent to Horombo Hut
Optional Activities
- Soft drinks and beer available for purchase at camp office
Landmarks/POIs Hans Meyer Cave Gillman's Point Uhuru Peak Horombo Hut - Day 7
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Arusha
After breakfast, it's another 6-hour descent through Mandara Hut and down to Marangu Gate. At the gate, you'll sign the register and get your certificate, either green if you reached Gillman's Point or gold if you summited at Uhuru Peak. From there, it's a drive back to Arusha where a hot shower and celebration dinner await, and you can choose between a safari option or heading straight to the airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Celebration dinner in Arusha)
Included Activities
- Descent from Horombo Hut through Mandara Hut to Marangu Gate
- Summit certificate presentation at Marangu Gate
- Transfer to Arusha
Optional Activities
- Safari program
- Airport drop-off
Landmarks/POIs Mandara Hut Marangu Gate Arusha
