Marangu gate to Mandara Hut

1700 m to 2740 m, 5500 ft to 9000 ft, 7 km, 4-5 hours, Montane Forest.

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft/2740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colubus monkeys.

Mandara Hut to Horombo Camp

2700 m to 3700 m, 9000 ft to 12,100 ft, 11 km, 6-8 hours, Heathland.

After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You will start to feel the affects of the altitude. If you wish to extend you trek, here you can spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.

Horombo Camp to Kibo Camp

3700 m to 4700 m, 12,100 ft to 15,400 ft, 10 km, 6-8 hours, Alpine Desert

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

Kibo hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo hut

6-8hrs to summit, 6km. back to hut4-5hrs, 16km.

The beginning of the last ascent is made in the wee hrs of the morning while the scree is still frozen. Climb the very steep part of the route to GILMANS POINT (most difficult and tiring part). UHURU PEAK is reached within an hour’s walk along the crater rim. (19,344ft). Start the walk along the craters rim. (19,344ft). Start the descent to Horombo hut for overnight

Horombo hut – Marangu Gate

Return to aArusha for a well deserved shower and rest