Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel

You will meet your transfer guide who will pick you up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive to your hotel in Moshi. Once you reach the hotel you will meet your Mountain Guide for a short briefing on the mountain climb on the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.

Meals: Half Board

Day 2: Rongai Start Point (1996m) – Simba camp (2626m)

Hiking time: 4 hours •Distance: Approximately 6.7km •Habitat: Forest (Montane)

We depart from Moshi town and drive 45mins. to Marangu Park gate for registration. From there, we travel to Naro Moru, a further 68km and approximately 2 ½ hours on bad roads to the Rongai starting point (1996m). We begin our hike from Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering the pine forest, and then we climb gently through a forest. The trail is not steep but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful countryside. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp (2626m). The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut.

Meals: Full Board

Day 3: Simba camp (2626m) – Kikelewa Camp (3679m)

Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours •Distance: Approximately 11.8 km •Habitat: Moorlands

We hike from Simba camp to Kibo (3482m). We arrive for lunch at First Caves. The distance is 5.8km. After lunch, we continue trekking until we reach Kikelewa Camp at about 3679m. Here you will have an amazing view including a stream of water below the cave. 

Meals: Full Board

Day 4: Kikelewa Cave (3679m) – Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m)

Hiking time: 3 hours •Distance: Approximately 3.7km •Habitat: Moorlands

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Here we spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

Meals: Full Board

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4303m) – Kibo hut (4730m)

Hiking time: 5 hours •Distance: Approximately 9 km •Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo. We then cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.

Meals: Full Board

Day 6: Summit attempt Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent •Habitat: Stone scree/ice-cap summit 

The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuit, we begin our ascent. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. From Gillmans Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa!

Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend taking photographs and enjoying the amazing scenery. Afterward, we begin our 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest at Kibo hut, we gather all our remaining gear and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. Later in the evening, you will have your last dinner on the mountain and have a well-earned sleep.

Meals: Half Board

Day 7: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)

Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 19.7 km •Habitat: Moorland & Montane Forest 

After breakfast, we continue our descent for around 6 hours passing the Mandara hut down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu Gate, successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. Afterward, we drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and celebration.

Meals: Half Board