After a 45-minute drive from Moshi town to Marangu Gate, the headquarters of Kilimanjaro National Park, you’ll register, which may take up to an hour. Begin your uphill trek through the rainforest ecosystem, where you may encounter blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and the endemic Kilimanjaro impatiens flower. Enjoy a picnic lunch at Kisamboni, then continue upward. The trail steepens as you pass through the forest, with heather and bearded lichen appearing near Mandara Huts. If you have energy left, take a walk to Maundi Crater for views of Kenya and Mawenzi Peak. Mandara Huts offer the luxury of flush toilets and running water from a spring above.

• Start: Marangu Gate (1905m)
• End: Mandara Huts (2720m)
• Distance: Approximately 8.75km
• Hiking Time: Around 3 hours
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After a short stretch of forest, you’ll trek through moorland, characterized by heather and lobelias. Both peaks of Kilimanjaro, Kibo and Mawenzi, become visible, providing a stunning backdrop for photos. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before reaching Horombo Huts. These busy huts sleep up to 120 people and offer a lively atmosphere where you can share tips and stories with fellow trekkers over dinner.

• Start: Mandara Huts (2720m)
• End: Horombo Huts (3720m)
• Distance: Approximately 12km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

This extra day provides additional acclimatization and offers a spectacular viewpoint. After a leisurely breakfast, head to Zebra Rocks, a collection of striped rocks resembling a zebra’s flank. Push on to the base of Mawenzi Peak for an amazing panorama across the saddle to Kilimanjaro’s highest peak. Return to Horombo Huts, passing through gullies of groundsel, and arrive mid-afternoon to rest and relax before dinner.

• Distance: Approximately 5.5km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Today’s trek crosses the saddle, an alpine desert separating Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Watch for altitude sickness symptoms and walk pole pole (slowly) behind your guide. Enjoy views of parasitic cones formed by volcanic eruptions. As you cross the saddle, you’ll see the path for summit night laid out ahead to Gillman’s Point. Kibo Huts, located under the peak, offer basic stone huts. Arrive for a late lunch and rest in preparation for your summit attempt.

• Today’s trek crosses the saddle, an alpine desert separating Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Watch for altitude sickness symptoms and walk pole pole (slowly) behind your guide. Enjoy views of parasitic cones formed by volcanic eruptions. As you cross the saddle, you’ll see the path for summit night laid out ahead to Gillman’s Point. Kibo Huts, located under the peak, offer basic stone huts. Arrive for a late lunch and rest in preparation for your summit attempt.

Depending on your acclimatization, you’ll be woken at 11pm-12am to start your ascent to Uhuru Peak with tea and biscuits. The climb to Gillman’s Point is steep and challenging, but slow and steady wins the race. After a rest at Gillman’s Point, continue to Uhuru Peak to enjoy stunning views of glaciers and Reusch’s Crater. Most trekkers reach the peak in about 6 hours, in time for a breathtaking sunrise. Descend quickly to Kibo, then continue to Horombo Huts, with some trekkers ‘skiing’ down the scree.

Summit Start: Kibo Huts (4715m)

• • Summit End: Uhuru Peak (5895m)
  • Total Distance: Approximately 6.25km
  • Hiking Time: About 6 hours to summit
  • Descent Start: Uhuru Peak (5895m)
  • Descent End: Horombo Huts (3720m)
  • Total Distance: Approximately 15.25km (6.25km back to Kibo, 9km to Horombo)
  • Hiking Time: 3-4 hours to Kibo Huts, 3-4 hours to Horombo Huts

This final day will feel like a breeze after the summit climb. Enjoy the descent, and if time permits, take the Marangu ‘Nature Trail’ to a beautiful waterfall. Watch for monkeys and birds before reaching Marangu Gate. Sign out of the National Park and explore a souvenir spot with maps, books, and postcards. Our car will then pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for a well-deserved rest, with massages available on request.

• Start: Horombo Huts (3720m)
• End: Marangu Gate (1905m)
• Distance: Approximately 20.75km
• Hiking Time: 7-8 hours