Itinerary
- Day 1
Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
You'll head out from Moshi early and drive to Marangu Gate to handle the park formalities and get your permits sorted. Then the actual trek begins through dense tropical rainforest with the trail climbing steadily from 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft over about 8 km. Keep your eyes open for blue monkeys hanging around the upper forest sections, and by the time you reach Mandara Hut, the vegetation opens up and you'll start seeing the hillsides. Plan on about 4-5 hours of hiking before settling in at the hut for the night.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through tropical rainforest
- Spot blue monkeys
- Hike to Mandara Hut (4-5 hours, 8 km)
Landmarks/POIs Marangu Gate Mount Kilimanjaro - Day 2
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
This morning you'll continue through the forest before it gradually transitions to high moorland as you gain elevation. The trek takes you from 8,858 ft up to 12,205 ft, covering 12 km over 6-8 hours of fairly steady climbing. Weather and visibility play a big role here, but if conditions cooperate, you'll catch your first real views of Kibo and Mawenzi, the two major volcanic peaks that make up Kilimanjaro. The heath habitat replaces the trees and the landscape becomes more open. By evening you'll reach Horombo Hut feeling the altitude starting to set in.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through forest to moorland
- First views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks
- Hike to Horombo Hut (6-8 hours, 12 km)
Landmarks/POIs Kibo Peak Mawenzi Peak - Day 3
Mawenzi Ridge - Horombo Hut
Today is built into your schedule specifically for acclimatization, so instead of pushing higher on the main route, you'll do a day hike on Mawenzi Ridge. You'll climb from 12,205 ft to 14,400 ft over 5 km, which takes about 2-3 hours of walking through the unique high-altitude landscape. The views of Kibo and Mawenzi from this vantage point are really your reward for the effort. After spending time exploring the ridge area, you'll head back down the same 5 km to Horombo Hut, taking 1-2 hours on the descent. This extra time at altitude helps your body adjust before the harder push ahead.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Day hike on Mawenzi Ridge
- Acclimatization activity
- Views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks
Landmarks/POIs Mawenzi Ridge - Day 4
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
You'll leave Horombo Hut and begin a gradual climb across what's basically a lunar landscape, the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain here is completely different from what you've seen so far, alpine desert with sparse vegetation and rocky ground. Over 10 km and 6-8 hours, you'll gain elevation from 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft as you work your way to Kibo Hut, positioned right at the base of the Kibo crater wall. After checking in at the hut, you'll have an early dinner and be encouraged to rest as much as possible, because the real summit attempt starts around midnight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Early dinner to prepare for summit day)
Included Activities
- Trek through alpine desert and Saddle region
- Hike to Kibo Hut (6-8 hours, 10 km)
Landmarks/POIs Kibo Crater - Day 5
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Around midnight, you'll start moving from Kibo Hut toward Uhuru Peak in darkness, and this is by far the hardest day of the trek. You'll climb 6 km through arctic terrain facing brutal wind and extreme cold over 6-8 hours, taking frequent short breaks to rest your legs and catch your breath. The darkness makes it slower going, but eventually you'll reach Gilman's Point at 18,600 ft and get to see an incredible sunrise over Mawenzi Peak stretched out below you. From there it's another push to Uhuru Peak at 19,341 ft, Africa's highest point. After reaching the summit, you'll turn around and descend 16 km all the way back to Horombo Hut over 4-5 hours, mostly moving through heath habitat as the air gets thicker. You'll be exhausted but also feel the celebration that comes with summit success, and a final mountain dinner will taste better than any meal you've had in a while.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Last dinner on the mountain)
Included Activities
- Summit push to Uhuru Peak
- Sunrise viewing at Gilman's Point
- Descent to Horombo Hut
Landmarks/POIs Uhuru Peak Gilman's Point - Day 6
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi
Your last day on the mountain is a long but much easier downhill trek through tropical rainforest from Horombo Hut back to Marangu Gate. You'll cover 20 km over 5-7 hours, and while your legs might be tired, the steady descent and the changing scenery as you drop back into the forest makes it manageable. Once you reach Marangu Gate, you'll swing by park headquarters to collect your summit certificate, proof of what you've accomplished. From there, a vehicle picks you up and takes you back to your hotel in Moshi where you can finally rest properly and process the whole experience.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Final descent through rainforest to Marangu Gate (5-7 hours, 20 km)
- Summit certificate collection
Landmarks/POIs Marangu Gate
