Day 1: Mandara Huts

-> Head towards the southeast entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park, better known as Marangu Gate. Check-in and register, then begin your ascent of Kilimanjaro. The first leg of this route takes you through the woods and the rainforest where you will be able to take in the eucalyptus trees and various species of birds.

Hiking: 5-7 hours   Overnight Altitude: ~8,858    Habitat: Rainforest

Day 2: Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts

-> Exploring the final stretch of woodland as the massive stretch of moorland begins to open up right in front of the eyes. On the walk, you can appreciate the jagged peaks of Mawenzi that ascend up towards the skies of Africa. After reaching the Horombo Huts, you will have time to unpack and experience the view of Kibo.

Hiking: 5-7 hours    Overnight Altitude: ~12,205   Habitat: Heath/Moorland

Day 3: Acclimatization Day

-> Spending an extra day at the Horombo Huts to allow your body to acclimate to the increasingly high altitude, then you are free to walk up to Mawenzi Hut and admire the incredible view of Kibo and Mawenzi. Keep a steady pace and walk the route and enjoy the magnificent landscape.

Hiking: 1-2 hours    Overnight Altitude: ~14,400    Habitat: Heath/Moorland

Day 4: Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts

-> The walk continues across the heath as it slowly turns into the parched, desolate highlands between Mawenzi and Kibo. The scenery here is littered with huge and small volcanic rocks, acting as a testament to the volcanic activity of years past. The final stretch to the Kibo Huts is very steep and physically challenging. Once you arrive at the Kibo Huts, it is time to organize your equipment and warm clothes for journey to the peak. You are getting ready to take on Kilimanjaro’s most ultimate challenge!

Hiking: 5-7 Hours   Overnight Altitude: ~15,430   Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5: Kibo Huts – Gilman’s Point – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Huts

-> As you awake around midnight, there is just enough time for a small meal before you begin your nightly hike. Many hikers consider the difficult terrain, scattered with loose rocks, to be the most difficult part of the climb. The goal is to reach Gilman’s Point by dawn. This is to make sure that you can make it to Uhuru, the highest point of Kibo, shortly after sunrise. There will be a quick stop at Gilman’s Point to experience the glorious view. Afterward, you will continue along the edge of the crater to Uhuru – this is the last part of the ascent and features a steady incline.

Depending on when you take your journey, you may face snow on the final stretch of the path to the Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa and the very top of Kilimanjaro. As you reach the peak, an altitude of 5,895, you can congratulate yourself as you experience the astounding view and get a picture in front of the Uhuru Peak Sign.

Now it is time to start back towards the Kibo Huts, you will find that this part goes by incredibly quickly. At the Kibo Huts, you will stop to relax and enjoy a much-needed lunch, before moving along to the Horombo Huts, where you will enjoy a well-deserved full night’s rest.
Hiking: 4-5 Hours     Overnight Altitude: ~12,205

Day 6: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Arusha

-> As we make the final descent through the rainforest to the Marangu Gate, we will have lunch and say farewell to our mountain crew.  Afterward, we will leave Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and drive back to Arusha for a much-need shower and a commemorative dinner!

Hiking: 5-7 Hours Overnight Altitude: `1,843 Habitat: Alpine Desert