Itinerary
- Day 1
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
You'll get picked up from your hotel and driven to Marangu Gate where you meet your guides and porters. After checking in, the walk takes 4 to 5 hours through coffee plantations and rainforest to reach Mandara Hut. Along the way you'll spot colorful birds, monkeys, and orchids scattered throughout the forest.
- Start point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Pick up to the Hotel, 08:30)
- Meals
- Dinner
Included Activities
- Walk through coffee plantation and rainforest to Mandara Hut (4-5 hours)
- Wildlife viewing - colorful birds, colobus monkeys, and other monkey species
Landmarks Marangu Gate Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 2
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
After breakfast you'll tackle the difficult climb through the final rainforest section before it opens up into rolling alpine meadow with giant heather plants. The hike runs 5 to 7 hours at a steady pace, and you'll see Mawenzi and Kibo peaks rising ahead before arriving at Horombo Hut.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike through rainforest to alpine meadow (5-7 hours)
- Views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak - Day 3
Horombo Hut
This day is set aside for acclimatization at altitude. If you're feeling up to it, there's an optional trek to the base of Mawenzi Peak that takes about 4 to 5 hours round trip and reaches 4,600 meters. Most hikers head back to Horombo Hut after that for dinner and a good night's rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization trek to base of Mawenzi Peak (approximately 4-5 hours round trip, ascending to 4,600 meters)
Optional Activities
- Alternative acclimatization treks around Horombo Hut
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak - Day 4
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
You'll hike 5 to 7 hours through rocky and increasingly sparse moorland, passing the Last Water point and working your way around Mawenzi Peak. After crossing the barren Saddle desert, you reach Kibo Hut where you'll repack your gear and prepare for the summit push. An early bedtime is important since you'll leave at midnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided hike through moorland and Saddle to Kibo Hut (5-7 hours)
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak Saddle - Day 5
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Leaving at midnight, you zigzag up a steep scree slope for roughly 2 hours to reach Hans Meyer's Cave. Then comes the most grueling section, taking 3 more hours to get to Johanne's Notch at the crater rim. From there it's a shorter push to Gillman's Point at 5,685 meters where you'll catch the sunrise, and if your legs still have it in them, continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak at 5,896 meters. The descent takes about 3 hours back down to Horombo Hut where you'll stay overnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided midnight summit attempt to Uhuru Peak (5,896m) via Hans Meyer's Cave, Gillman's Point, and crater rim
- Sunrise viewing from Gillman's Point or Uhuru Peak
Landmarks Hans Meyer's Cave Johanne's Notch Gillman's Point Uhuru Peak Mawenzi Peak - Day 6
Mweka Gate to Moshi
You'll descend back through the alpine meadow and rainforest, passing Mandara Hut and finally reaching Marangu Gate. From there it's a drive back to Moshi where you can rest, stay the night, or head to the airport. If you're interested, you could arrange travel to other parts of Tanzania like Zanzibar from here.
- End point
- Moshi, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Drop off to thr Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided descent from Horombo Hut through rainforest to Marangu Gate
Optional Activities
- Beach trips to Zanzibar
- Other reasonably-priced trips and safaris around Moshi and Kilimanjaro region
Landmarks Marangu Gate
