Itinerary
- Day 1
Arusha to Rongai Trailhead
Start with an early breakfast in Arusha, then you'll be picked up and driven to Marangu Gate for your Tanzania National Park registration. From there, head to the Rongai trailhead and begin hiking through cornfields and pine forest with a gradual climb. Around midday you'll take a lunch break, and by late afternoon you'll reach 1st Caves Camp where your porters already have everything set up. After settling in, there's a hot dinner waiting, and you'll want to prepare yourself for the cold mountain temperatures ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Early breakfast at your hotel), Lunch (Lunch break during hike), Dinner (Hot dinner at camp)
Included Activities
- Early breakfast at hotel in Arusha
- Registration with Tanzania National Park (TANAPA) at Marangu Gate
- Guided hike on Rongai trail through cornfields and pine forest (approximately 8 kilometers, 5 hours)
- Lunch break during hike
- Hot dinner at 1st Caves Camp
Landmarks/POIs Marangu Gate Rongai Trailhead 1st Caves Camp - Day 2
1st Caves Camp to Kikelewa Cave
After a hot breakfast, continue climbing through moorland terrain. The trail passes Second Cave where you'll stop for lunch, and your porters will have Kikelewa Cave camp ready before you arrive with tents and water all prepared. That evening you'll have snacks followed by dinner while bracing for another cold night at this exposed location on the mountain.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Hot breakfast), Lunch (Lunch break at Second Cave), Snack (Evening snacks), Dinner (Dinner prepared by chef)
Included Activities
- Hot breakfast at camp
- Guided hike to Kikelewa Cave through moorland (6-7 hours)
- Lunch break at Second Cave
- Evening snacks
- Dinner at camp
Landmarks/POIs Second Cave Kikelewa Cave - Day 3
Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn Camp
This day brings a short but steep moorland hike up to Mawenzi Tarn Camp. Watch for unique plants like giant lobelia and groundsel scattered along the way. When you get there, you can take in the views of the surrounding landscape and let your body adjust to the altitude. Your porters will prepare hot water and dinner while you watch the sunset from camp.
- Meals
- Dinner (Hot dinner at camp)
Included Activities
- Guided hike to Mawenzi Tarn Camp through moorland (3-4 hours)
- Viewing of exotic plants (giant lobelia and groundsel)
- Hot dinner at camp
- Sunset viewing
Landmarks/POIs Mawenzi Tarn Camp - Day 4
Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Hut
After breakfast, you'll have a half-day hike heading east toward Kibo Hut in the alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. There's no water available at this location, though you can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner gets served so you can rest before your summit push later tonight. Your guide will go over summit preparations with you, and they'll want you in bed by 19:00.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at camp), Dinner (Early dinner)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at camp
- Guided hike to Kibo Hut in alpine desert (4-5 hours)
- Guide briefing on summit preparation
- Early dinner at camp
Optional Activities
- Mineral water and soft drinks available for purchase at camp office
Landmarks/POIs Kibo Hut - Day 5
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Around 23:30 your guide wakes you for tea and biscuits before starting the summit attempt. The rocky path takes you to Hans Meyer Cave, then the trail gets steep heading toward Gillman's Point on the crater rim. From there, snow-covered sections lead to Uhuru Peak at 5895m, Africa's highest point. After time at the summit, you'll descend to Barafu for a rest and hot lunch, then continue down roughly 21 kilometers to Horombo Hut for dinner after a long, demanding day.
- Meals
- Snack (Tea and biscuits around 23:30), Lunch (Hot lunch at Kibo Hut), Dinner (Dinner at Horombo Hut)
Included Activities
- Tea and biscuits around 23:30
- Summit attempt: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak via Hans Meyer Cave and Gillman's Point (approximately 6 kilometers ascent, 8 hours)
- Descent from Uhuru Peak to Kibo Hut (approximately 3 hours)
- Hot lunch at Kibo Hut
- Descent to Horombo Hut (approximately 21 kilometers descent, 6 hours)
- Dinner at Horombo Hut
Landmarks/POIs Hans Meyer Cave Gillman's Point Uhuru Peak Horombo Hut - Day 6
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate and Moshi Town
You'll start with a well-earned breakfast while your staff celebrates with dancing and singing right there on the mountain. This is the moment to give tips to your guide, assistant guides, chef, and porters. Then it's a descent of about 27 kilometers over 6 hours back to Marangu Gate where you'll register and get your certificate, green if you reached Gillman's Point or gold for Uhuru Peak. After that, drive back to Moshi Town to shower and continue celebrating your accomplishment.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Well-deserved breakfast)
Included Activities
- Breakfast at camp
- Staff celebration with dancing and singing
- Guided descent from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (approximately 27 kilometers, 6 hours)
- Certificate of completion ceremony at Marangu Gate
- Transfer to Moshi Town
Landmarks/POIs Marangu Gate Moshi Town
