Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro Park Gate to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and a briefing session, you'll drive to Kilimanjaro Park Gate (roughly 45 minutes), finish registration, then start trekking through rainforest toward Mandara Campsite. This first day covers moderate terrain and takes a few hours. Later in the afternoon, take a short walk to Maundi Crater for views across Northern Tanzania and into Kenya. Along the way you'll spot Eucalyptus trees, various birds, and if you're lucky, rare Colobus monkeys in the canopy.
- Meals
- Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through rainforest to Mandara Campsite
- Short evening walk to Maundi Crater
- Park registration
Landmarks/POIs Kilimanjaro National Park Maundi Crater - Day 2
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Leave the rainforest behind and climb through open moorlands to Horombo Camp, which takes 6 to 7 hours total. You'll see Mawenzi and Kibo summits appearing in the distance, surrounded by giant lobelias and strange-looking groundsels. Bring at least 3 litres of water since there's limited supply. Some people start noticing altitude effects today, so listen to your body and pace yourself accordingly.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through moorland to Horombo Camp
- View Mawenzi and Kibo peaks
- Day 3
Horombo Hut (Rest Day)
You'll rest at Horombo Hut today for acclimatization. If you want to stay active, there's an optional hike up to Mawenzi base camp that goes up and back down the same way. Many people use this day to relax at the huts, drink water, and let their bodies adjust to the altitude. Spending this extra day here also helps you understand how the mountain's weather patterns shift before moving to Kibo Huts tomorrow.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Rest day at Horombo Hut
Optional Activities
- Hike to Mawenzi base camp
Landmarks/POIs Mawenzi - Day 4
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Climb past the last watering point onto the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The landscape changes noticeably from upper heathland into something that looks almost moonlike and barren. After dinner at Kibo Hut, you'll rest early and spend time mentally preparing for the midnight summit attempt. The cold here is noticeable even if you're inside your sleeping bag.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to Kibo Hut
- Pass final watering point
Landmarks/POIs Kibo - Day 5
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
The summit push starts at midnight, climbing steep scree and possibly snow in complete darkness (headlamps are essential) toward Gilman's Point on the crater rim. From there, continue to Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point at 19,341 feet. After reaching the summit, descend back to Kibo Hut for lunch and rest, then keep going down to Horombo. This day is extremely demanding and the cold is brutal, but the summit views make it unforgettable.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit climb from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Reach Gilman's Point on crater rim
- Summit photo opportunity at Uhuru Peak
- Descent to Horombo Hut
Landmarks/POIs Uhuru Peak Gilman's Point - Day 6
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi
Have breakfast, then descend steadily through moorland back to Mandara Hut, and continue down through thick forest toward Marangu Gate. The lower sections can get wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles help a lot. Your driver meets you at the gate and drives you back to your hotel in Moshi, where you can finally rest and celebrate finishing the trek.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Descent through moorland to Mandara Hut
- Trek through forest to Marangu Gate
- Transfer from Marangu Gate to hotel in Moshi
Landmarks/POIs Marangu Gate
