Itinerary
- Day 1
Arusha/Moshi to Nale Muru
Kick off with breakfast and a briefing at your hotel, then transfer by Land Rover through villages and coffee plantations for 4 to 6 hours to reach Nale Muru. Once you arrive, you'll register and get the porters organized before hitting the trail. The hike starts on wide paths through maize and potato fields, then moves into pine forest with a gentle climb. You'll spot wildlife along the way as you work through the attractive forest, eventually reaching Simba Camp near the First Cave where the moorland opens up with views over the Kenyan plains.
- Start point
- Arusha, Tanzania (You will be picked up from any hotel in Arusha or Moshi, 08:00 - 00:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Breakfast and briefing
- Transfer by Land Rover through villages and coffee plantations
- Hike through maize fields, potato fields, and pine forest to Simba Camp
Landmarks Nale Muru Simba Camp First Cave - Day 2
Simba Camp to Kikelewa Camp
The day involves a steady push upward through moorland to the Second Cave where lunch happens. From there, you'll leave the main trail and head across moorland on a smaller path toward Mawenzi's jagged peaks. After covering about 10 km, you reach Kikelewa Camp in a sheltered valley. Giant Senecios surround the camp, and the Kikelewa Cave is right nearby for exploring if you have energy left.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Second Cave), Dinner
Included Activities
- Steady ascent through moorland to Second Cave
- Lunch at Second Cave
- Hike across moorland toward Mawenzi peaks to Kikelewa Camp
Landmarks Second Cave Mawenzi Kikelewa Camp Kikelewa Cave - Day 3
Kikelewa Camp to Mawenzi Tarn
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers great all-round views and a real sense of being out in the wilderness. Once vegetation drops away, you'll arrive at the Mawenzi Tarn sitting in a spectacular cirque directly beneath Mawenzi's towering spires. The hike itself is brief, so you'll have the afternoon free to walk around and take in the area at your own pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Steep climb up grassy slopes
- Hike to Mawenzi Tarn
- Afternoon exploration of Mawenzi Tarn area
Landmarks Mawenzi Tarn Mawenzi - Day 4
Mawenzi Tarn
This day is dedicated to letting your body adjust to the altitude. You're staying two nights at Mawenzi Tarn, so there's no big trek planned. If you're feeling up to it, you can do an acclimatization hike up toward Mawenzi, which helps your system adapt without pushing too hard.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Acclimatization hike toward Mawenzi
Landmarks Mawenzi - Day 5
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Huts
You'll cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, heading toward the Kibo Huts at the bottom of Kibo's crater wall. After you get there, the rest of the day is for resting and getting ready for the summit attempt. Eat well, hydrate, and get some sleep since the real challenge starts tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike across saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to Kibo Huts
Landmarks Kibo Kibo Huts - Day 6
Kibo Huts to Uhuru Peak and Horombo Huts
Midnight arrives and it's time to wake up for a light breakfast before the summit push. You'll leave at 1 AM, switchbacking up steep scree or snow in the darkness. By 5 to 7 AM, you'll reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim and see the crater and its icecaps. Another 2 hours along the crater rim brings you to Uhuru Peak by 9 AM, Africa's highest point. After photos and celebration, you'll descend back to Kibo Huts for lunch, then cross the saddle again to Horombo Huts for dinner and much-needed rest.
- Meals
- Breakfast (Light breakfast at midnight), Lunch (Lunch at Kibo Huts after descent), Dinner (Dinner at Horombo Huts)
Included Activities
- Light breakfast at midnight
- Summit ascent from Kibo Huts
- Climb to Gilman's Point on crater rim
- Hike along crater rim to Uhuru Peak
- Summit stay at Uhuru Peak
- Descent to Kibo Huts
- Lunch at Kibo Huts
- Descent across saddle to Horombo Huts
- Dinner at Horombo Huts
Landmarks Uhuru Peak Gilman's Point Kibo Huts Horombo Huts - Day 7
Horombo Huts to Arusha/Moshi
Pack and head down through moorland to Mandara Huts where lunch waits. From there, continue descending through lush forest toward the park gate, reaching it around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters before they head out. A vehicle will take you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Time to celebrate finishing the climb!
- End point
- Arusha, Tanzania (You will be dropped off in Arusha or Moshi or Kilimanjaro Airport )
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at Mandara Huts), Dinner
Included Activities
- Descent through moorland to Mandara Huts
- Lunch at Mandara Huts
- Final descent through lush forest to park gate
- Transfer by vehicle to hotel in Arusha/Moshi
Optional Activities
- Trip to beaches at Zanzibar
- Safari to Serengeti National Park
- Safari to Ngorongoro Crater
- Safari to Lake Manyara National Park
- Safari to Tarangire National Park
- Safari to Arusha National Park
- Trip to Southern Circuit including Selous game reserve, Mikumi National Park, and Ruaha National Park
Landmarks Mandara Huts Mount Kilimanjaro Park Gate Serengeti National Park Ngorongoro Crater Lake Manyara National Park Tarangire National Park Arusha National Park Selous Game Reserve Mikumi National Park Ruaha National Park
