Itinerary
- Day 1
Kilimanjaro National Park Gate to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and a briefing, you'll drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate where you'll register before starting your climb. The trail heads through rainforest toward Mandara Hut, and you can take a side trip to Maundi Crater for views across Northern Tanzania and into Kenya. Watch for tall Eucalyptus trees, different bird species, and Colobus monkeys as you make your way through the forest.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate
- Register at National Park Gate
- Trek through rainforest to Mandara Hut
- Optional side trip to Maundi Crater
Landmarks Kilimanjaro National Park Maundi Crater - Day 2
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
You'll leave the rainforest behind as you move into open moorlands heading toward Horombo Hut. From here you can see Mawenzi and the Kibo summit, and the landscape shows off giant lobelias and groundsel senecio plants. This is when some people start noticing the effects of altitude, so take it at a steady pace.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek through open moorlands to Horombo Hut
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak Kibo Peak - Day 3
Rest Day at Horombo Hut
This day is built in for rest and acclimatization at Horombo Hut. If you're feeling good, there's an option to do a short hike up to Mawenzi Peak, but the main point is to let your body adjust to the elevation before continuing higher.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Optional Activities
- Optional hike to Mawenzi Peak
Landmarks Mawenzi Peak - Day 4
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
You'll continue ascending toward the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi, and you'll pass the last water source on the mountain. The vegetation changes dramatically from upper heathland into something that looks almost lunar. After dinner, you'll rest early since you have that midnight start coming up for the summit push.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Trek to saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks
- Pass last watering point on the route
Landmarks Kibo Peak Mawenzi Peak - Day 5
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
The big day starts between midnight and 2am when you begin the steep climb up scree and snow toward Gilman's Point on the crater rim, then on to Uhuru Peak, Africa's highest point. After reaching the summit and celebrating, you'll descend back through Kibo for lunch and a rest, then continue down to Horombo Hut. Headlamps are essential for the dark climb, and you'll need warm layers since conditions are cold and intense.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Summit climb from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Reach Uhuru Peak (5895m/19,340ft)
- Pass through Gilman's Point on crater rim
- Descent to Horombo Hut
Landmarks Uhuru Peak Gilman's Point - Day 6
Horombo Hut to Moshi
You'll descend steadily through moorland to Mandara Hut, then the trail continues downward through lush forest toward the National Park gate at Marangu. Lower sections can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are helpful here. At Marangu village, a vehicle picks you up for the drive back to Moshi (about an hour). This is the time to thank your guides and porters who made the climb possible.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Descent to Mandara Hut through moorland
- Trek through forest path to National Park gate at Marangu
- Vehicle transfer from Marangu village to Moshi hotel
Landmarks Kilimanjaro National Park Gate 
