Itinerary
- Day 1
Arrival at Kilimanjaro
You'll arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport where your guide meets you for the drive to Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa. Once you've cleared immigration and customs, settle in and get some rest. That evening, there's a pre-climbing briefing where they'll check your equipment, confirm your travel insurance, and go over medical coverage before you head up the mountain.
- Start point
- Arusha, Tanzania (pangani street, 07:00 - 09:00)
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Meet and assist service at airport
- Pre-climbing briefing
- Climbing equipment check
- Travel insurance and medical coverage verification
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport - Day 2
Nale Moru to Rongai One Campsite
After breakfast, you'll transfer to Rongai starting point at Nale Moru near Marangu National Park Gate. The climb begins through maize and potato fields before entering a pine forest where you might see Colobus Monkeys. The terrain opens up with views over the Kenyan plains as you hike to Rongai One Campsite. Plan on about 3-4 hours of walking to get there.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Kilimanjaro climb commencement at Nale Moru (6,400 ft)
- Forest trek through pine forest
- Wildlife viewing (Colobus Monkeys)
- Arrival at Rongai One Campsite (8,500 ft)
Landmarks Marangu National Park Gate Nale Moru Rongai One Campsite - Day 3
Second Cave to Kikelelwa Caves
Following breakfast, you'll make a steady climb to Second Cave at 11,300 ft/3,450 m with excellent views of Kibo and the eastern icefields. After lunch, the route leaves the main trail and heads southeast across moorland toward Mawenzi's jagged peaks. You'll camp in a sheltered valley with Giant Senecios near Kikelelwa Caves at 11,800 ft/3,600 m. This day involves about 6-7 hours of walking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ascent to Second Cave (11,300 ft)
- Views of Kibo and eastern icefields
- Trek across moorland toward Mawenzi
- Arrival at Kikelelwa Caves campsite (11,800 ft)
Landmarks Second Cave Kibo Mawenzi Kikelelwa Caves - Day 4
Mawenzi Tarn Hut
Today's a shorter but steep walk that gets you rewarded with views all around and a real sense of being in wilderness. You'll leave the vegetation behind as you reach Mawenzi Tarn Hut at 14,200 ft/4,330 m, which sits spectacularly in a cirque beneath Mawenzi's towering spires. The afternoon is yours to rest or explore the area to help with acclimatization. The walk takes about 3-4 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Steep climb to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,200 ft)
- Wilderness views
- Free afternoon for rest and acclimatization
Optional Activities
- Exploration of surrounding area
Landmarks Mawenzi Tarn Hut - Day 5
Kibo Hut
You'll cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut at 15,400 ft/4,700 m at the base of the crater wall. After arriving, spend the rest of the day resting and preparing for an early morning start on the final ascent. This stretch takes approximately 5-6 hours of hiking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek across saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo
- Arrival at Kibo Hut (15,400 ft)
- Rest day for summit preparation
Landmarks Kibo Hut - Day 6
Summit Day to Horombo Hut
Start the final climb around 1:00am by torchlight, ascending through loose volcanic scree on switchback trails to Gillman's Point at 18,600 ft/5,670 m where you'll catch a spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. From there, you can take an optional three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak at 19,345 ft/5,896 m to see the glaciers and ice cliffs. Then you'll descend back to Kibo Hut and continue down to Horombo Hut at 12,200 ft/3,720 m. The entire day involves 11-15 hours of walking.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit attempt beginning at 1:00am
- Ascent to Gillman's Point (18,600 ft)
- Sunrise viewing at Gillman's Point
- Descent to Horombo Hut (12,200 ft)
Optional Activities
- Three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft) with glacier and ice cliff viewing
Landmarks Gillman's Point Uhuru Peak Horombo Hut - Day 7
Descent to Marangu Gate
After breakfast, you'll descend through moorland to Mandara Hut at 8,900 ft/2,710 m, then keep going downward through lush forest on a good path to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Marangu at 6,000 ft/1,830 m. From there, you'll transfer back to Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa for the night on a bed and breakfast basis.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Descent through moorland to Mandara Hut (8,900 ft)
- Descent through lush forest to Marangu Gate (6,000 ft)
- Park exit formalities
Landmarks Mandara Hut Marangu National Park Gate - Day 8
Departure
Depending on your plans, you'll transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight. If you've added on activities like a safari or beach time in Zanzibar, your transfer team will help you move smoothly to your next stop in Tanzania.
Included Activities
- Transfer to airport or connecting activity location
Optional Activities
- Safari extension
- Zanzibar beach extension
Landmarks Kilimanjaro International Airport
