ItineraryDay 1: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should plan to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today, we will have a pre-trek briefing, review your equipment, and rent any necessary gear.
Day 2: Hotel to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register, and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater offers scenic views, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.
Elevation: 1860m/6100ft → 2700m/8875ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
You leave the glades of the rainforest, following an ascending path on the open moorlands to Horombo Hut. Enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi and Kibo. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. After a short break at Horombo, continue ascending past the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but disappears into a moonscape. Dinner, rest, and preparation for the summit climb at Kibo Hut.
Elevation: 2700m/8875ft → 3700m/12,200ft → 4700m/15,500ft Distance: 21km/13mi Hiking Time: 8-10 hours Habitat: Heathland → Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit (Uhuru Peak) to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 AM), commence the final ascent to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point, located on the crater rim. From there, continue to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Unbelievable views at every turn—have your photo taken at the summit to commemorate the achievement!
From here, descend back to Kibo Hut for lunch and rest, then continue descending to Horombo Hut for overnight.
Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft → 5895m/19,340ft → 3700m/12,200ft Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 6-8 hours down
Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a lush forest path to the Marangu Gate. At lower elevations, the trail can be wet and muddy—gaiters and trekking poles are useful.
A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu Gate for the drive back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft → 1700m/5500ft Distance: 20km/12.5mi Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: Breakfast
This revised itinerary condenses the original 6-day trek into 5 days while maintaining the details. The main change is combining Horombo Hut & Kibo Hut trekking into one longer day on Day 3.
Inclusions
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Sleeping Mattress
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Exclusions
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
