Our driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) and take you to your hotel in Moshi. Do not worry if you are slow clearing customs, our driver will be waiting for as long as necessary. After you settle in at your hotel, we will go through an equipment check with you. If any items are lacking, they can be rented at this time. Your guide will meet you for a thorough pre-climb briefing where all questions will be answered. For night time arrivals these things can be done the early the next morning.

• Overnight Location: Hotel in Moshi
• Travel Time: 45 minutes drive to Moshi
• Meals: None

• Elevation: 6,102 ft / 1,870 m → 8,858 ft / 2,700 m
• Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
• Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
• Habitat: Montane Rainforest

After breakfast and a scenic drive from Moshi or Arusha, arrive at Marangu Gate (1,870 m / 6,102 ft) for registration and final gear check. The hike begins through a rich rainforest ecosystem filled with lush vegetation, birds, and playful blue monkeys. The trail ascends gradually along a well-maintained path. You’ll enjoy cool shade and occasional glimpses of Colobus monkeys.
By afternoon, you’ll reach Mandara Hut, nestled in a forest clearing. After settling in, you may take a short walk to Maundi Crater for a panoramic view of Kenya’s interior on a clear day.

Overnight: Mandara Hut

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

• Elevation: 8,858 ft / 2,700 m → 12,205 ft / 3,720 m
• Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles
• Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
• Habitat: Heath & Moorland

Today you’ll hike through an open landscape of giant heathers, wildflowers, and volcanic rock formations. The trail gradually climbs out of the rainforest and enters the heath zone, where trees are shorter and the air is drier.
As you gain altitude, views of Mawenzi Peak begin to emerge, often shrouded in mist. Expect fewer animals but keep an eye out for sunbirds and small rodents. The final stretch to Horombo Hut can feel long, but the changing scenery and anticipation make it rewarding.

Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board

• Elevation: 12,205 ft / 3,720 m → 15,430 ft / 4,703 m
• Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
• Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

This is a crucial acclimatization day. The landscape becomes stark and lunar-like as you enter the alpine desert zone. The trail ascends steadily past the Last Water Point, crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The winds pick up here, and temperatures begin to drop.
You’ll reach Kibo Hut by early afternoon, a cold and dusty camp at the foot of Kibo Peak. Here, climbers rest and prepare for the summit push. An early dinner is served, and then it’s straight to bed—you’ll be up before midnight to begin your climb to Uhuru Peak.

Overnight: Kibo Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board

• Ascent: 15,430 ft / 4,703 m → 19,341 ft / 5,895 m (Uhuru Peak)

• Descent: 19,341 ft / 5,895 m → 12,205 ft / 3,720 m
  Distance:

• Ascent: 6 km / 3.7 miles

• Descent: 16 km / 10 miles
  Total Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
  Habitat: Arctic at summit → Moorland

You’ll wake at around 11:00 PM for tea and biscuits before starting the climb at midnight. The trail zigzags through loose scree and darkness, demanding mental and physical endurance.
Reach Gilman’s Point (5,685 m / 18,652 ft) by sunrise, where the rim of the crater offers awe-inspiring views. From there, it’s another 1–2 hours along the snowy crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa!

After photo celebrations, begin your long descent back to Kibo Hut for rest and a light meal, then continue down to Horombo Hut. It’s a demanding but unforgettable day.

Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: Full Board

• Elevation: 12,205 ft / 3,720 m → 6,102 ft / 1,870 m
• Distance: 20 km / 12.5 miles
• Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
• Habitat: Moorland → Rainforest

Your final day is a gradual descent back through the heath and forest zones. The trail can be slippery, especially if it has rained, so trekking poles are helpful.
Once you reach Marangu Gate, you’ll sign out and receive a certificate of achievement—green for Gilman’s Point and gold for Uhuru Peak. After farewell photos and tipping your crew, drive back to Moshi for a well-earned rest.

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Lunch

Breakfast at the hotel is included in the climb package. Our driver will be available at any time to take you to Kilimanjaro Airport. If you have booked a safari, we typically will leave just after breakfast. Checkout time at the hotel is 10am. If you have a flight departing later in the day, we will try to obtain a late checkout for you or arrange for a day room if you desire.

• Travel Time: 45 minutes drive to Kilimanjaro Airport
• Meals: Breakfast