Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to Arusha

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be welcomed by your driver and transferred to your hotel in Arusha for relaxation and overnight stay.

Accommodation: Arusha

Day 2: Arusha to Marangu gate to Mandara Hut

Elevation: (1,390m – 1,830m – 2,700m)

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel and driven to Marangu gate. After registration at the park office with your guide, you will begin your walk through patches of coffee plantation and dense rainforest to Mandara Hut. On the way you may see colobus monkeys and birds. If the skies are clear you may have fine views over the town of Moshi. This hike takes 3-4 hours.

Accommodation: Mandara Hut (Full Board)

Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Elevation: (2,700m to 3,690m)

After breakfast, you will start with a steep climb through the last part of rainforest, though this soon gives away to heathen moorland. Once you leave the forest canopy, snow covered Kibo peak and rocky Mawenzi peak lie directly ahead, dominating the skyline. Then you cross a zone of open health with stunted vegetation, before emerging onto bleak moorland. The whole walk for this day can take 5-7 hours depending on your pace.

Accommodation: Horombo Hut (Full Board)

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Peak to Horombo Hut

Elevation: (3,690m to 4,600m to 3,690m)

Acclimatization day! This Day 3 provides an opportunity for you to acclimatize gradually to the altitude. You will do a day hike to Mawenzi hut for further acclimatization with your guide. This will take 4 to 5 hours (go and return), and will get you to an altitude of 4,600m before you return to the hut.

Accommodation:  Horombo Hut (Full Board)

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Elevation: (3,690m to 4,700m)

After breakfast, you will continue your ascent to reach Kibo Hut. Kibo Hut is located in the “saddle,” which refers to the area located between the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro which are Mawenzi and Kibo peak in an alpine desert. Tonight you prepare for next day’s Summit challenge. An early night is imperative as you must have a midnight start in order to reach the summit in the morning before the cloud cover settles, and then have the time to get back down to the hut. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night.

Accommodation: Kibo Hut (Full Board)

Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Elevation: (4,700m – 5,895m – 3,690m)

This is the summit day! Your guide will wake you in the midnight and start walking in the darkness with your torches. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From thus point you will usually experience snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak.

You will be able to spend a short time on the “Top of Africa” taking photographs before descending down through Kibo Huts. Have lunch and a short rest before re-crossing the saddle to reach Horombo Hut where you will spend this unforgettable night.

Accommodation: Horombo Hut (Full Board)

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu gate to Arusha.

Elevation: (3,690m – 1,830m – 1,390m)

Morning after packing and breakfast, finish the trek with a decent to Marangu Gate. You will pass through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Before reaching Marangu gate you will stop at Mandara Hut for lunch then continue to walk down to the park gate. Our vehicle will be waiting at Marangu gate to take you back to Arusha for hot shower and comfortable night.

Accommodation: Arusha

Day 8: Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

You will be picked up by your driver at your hotel and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure flight.