Itinerary
- Day 1
Moshi to Mandara Hut
After breakfast in Moshi, you'll get picked up from your lodge and driven to Marangu gate to handle paperwork. The trek starts you off through thick rainforest where primates might appear overhead, then you'll head toward Mandara Hut. Once settled in, your guide can take you up to Maundi Crater for views across into Kenya. You're covering 8.3km over roughly 5 hours of walking today.
- Start point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) You can Arrive and pick up at Anytime)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hut (Mandara Hut Camp)
Included Activities
- Hike through rainforest to Mandara Hut (8.3km)
- Visit Maundi Crater with views of Kenyan interior
Landmarks Marangu Gate Mandara Hut Maundi Crater - Day 2
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Early breakfast fuels you before leaving Mandara Hut. You'll walk through the timberline zone and into heath and moor terrain as altitude increases. After 4 to 6 hours of hiking, Horombo Hut appears at 3700m. From there the views open up nicely, with Mawenzi and Kibo peaks visible along with the Masai steppe spreading below. The day's trek covers 12.5km, taking around 9 hours total.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hut (Horombo Hut Camp)
Included Activities
- Hike from Mandara Hut through timberline to Horombo Hut (12.5km)
Landmarks Horombo Hut Mawenzi Kibo - Day 3
Horombo Hut (Acclimatization Day)
This day is about acclimatization at Horombo Hut, which helps your body adjust before summit day. After a relaxed breakfast, you'll walk for about 4 hours to Zebra Rocks at 4020m, named for the distinctive black and white stripes running through them. You'll head back to the hut for lunch, then spend the afternoon and evening resting and eating well. Only 5km of walking, around 4 hours, keeps things light.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hut (Horombo Hut Camp)
Included Activities
- Trek to Zebra Rocks (4020m) for acclimatization
Landmarks Zebra Rocks - Day 4
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Today pushes you harder as the trail passes the Last Water point and enters the saddle, a barren plateau between Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation disappears and the landscape turns stark. Kibo Hut typically comes into reach after 5 to 6 hours of trekking. You'll eat early and get to bed early since tomorrow requires you to start well before dawn. Roughly 7 hours of walking covers this stage.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Hike through saddle plateau to Kibo Hut
Landmarks Kibo Hut - Day 5
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and Return to Horombo Hut
Summit day starts around midnight with the longest push of your trek. The ascent is strenuous and you'll pass Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, then reach Gillman's Point at the crater rim around sunrise at 5681m. Another 1 to 2 hours gets you to Uhuru Peak at 5895m, the actual summit. After soaking in the moment, you descend back to Kibo Hut for food and rest before heading further down to Horombo Hut. The full day covers 22km over 12 to 15 hours.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hut (Horombo Hut Camp)
Included Activities
- Summit Mount Kilimanjaro - midnight ascent from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak (5895m)
- Visit Gillman's Point (5681m) at crater rim
- Pass Hans Meyer Cave (5220m)
Landmarks Hans Meyer Cave Gillman's Point Uhuru Peak - Day 6
Horombo Hut to Moshi
The final descent takes you through heath and moor back to Mandara Hut where warm lunch is ready. Then you walk through the tropical rainforest you started in days ago and reach Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. After thanking your guides, a short drive returns you to Moshi where a hot shower and celebration await. The last stage is 20.8km but feels easier, taking about 3 hours total on the descent.
- End point
- Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) You will drop off at Anytime)
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Descend from Horombo Hut through Mandara Hut to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate
Optional Activities
- Optional wildlife safari after mountain climb
Landmarks Kilimanjaro National Park Gate
