Day 1: Transfer from Arusha to Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut (2,700 m)

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will get a briefing of your hiking by the Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro guides before being transferred to Marangu Gate around 09:00 am (about 45 minutes). On arrival at Marangu Gate (Marangu Village), normal formality of registration for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro will take place. A backpack is important for you to carry a few useful items for the particularly day trekking such as camera, extra clothing, skin oil, rain jacket and other things you will be directed to carry.

After the formality, our guide will show you a clear trail and assist you with any additional information or needs. You now leave the park office and ascend on a cleared ridge route through the rain forest. The forest is covered with mist and saturated with beards of moss. After about one and a half hours of hiking, you will reach Mandara Hut.

• Main Destination : Mandara Hut (2,700 m)
• Hiking Time : 5 hours
• Distance : About 12 km
• Habitat : Montane forest
• Elevation Change : +720 m

Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,700 m) – Horombo Hut (3,720 m)

Early in the morning after breakfast, you start climbing towards Horombo Hut with your picnic lunch. From Mandara Hut, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, and then heads around the base of the Maundi Crater where you will leave the forest and enter the moorland.

We recommend you take a short detour up to the rim of the Maundi Crater. From here you see the impressive Kibo Crater, and on a clear day you can also see the glaciers of Kibo. Later in the afternoon you reach Horombo Hut for hot dinner and an overnight stay. Your hut will be comfortable enough to ensure a good night’s rest. Temperatures during the night will be around freezing point.

• Main Destination : Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
• Hiking Time : 6 hours
• Distance : About 15 km
• Habitat : Moorland
• Elevation Change : +1,020 m

Day 3: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) – Kibo Hut (4,700 m)

The climb is becoming more difficult as the oxygen at these altitudes begins to thin out considerably. To begin today, you can take one of the two trails to the “Saddle”, located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Stick to the lower route, which is much easier and has the added benefit of taking you past the last watering point. Stock up with all the water you will need.

It will take about 5 to 7 hours to reach Kibo Hut, where you will rest and have dinner. Spend time this afternoon preparing your equipment, as you will be making your final ascent tonight. You will need your ski-stick and extra thermal clothing for your summit bid. Make sure you are in bed by 7:00 pm—you will need all the sleep you can get.

• Main Destination : Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
• Hiking Time : 6 hours
• Distance : About 15 km
• Habitat : Alpine desert
• Elevation Change : +980 m

Day 4: Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut (3,720 m)

Today is by far your toughest day. You will be woken just before midnight and soon head off into the cold night on a rocky path towards Hans Meyer Cave. From here, the climb is a steep zigzag trail up to Gillman’s Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim. This is the most demanding section of the route.

From Gillman’s Point, you will usually encounter snow all the way to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. After enjoying the summit and taking photos, you will begin your descent back down to Kibo Hut for a short rest and lunch, before continuing further down to Horombo Hut for dinner and a well-deserved long night's sleep.

• Main Destination : Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) & Horombo Hut
• Hiking Time : 10 to 13 hours
• Distance : About 27 km
• Habitat : Stone scree and ice-capped summit
• Elevation Change : +1,195 m / -2,175 m

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) – Marangu Gate (1,830 m) – Arusha

After a hot breakfast, you will continue your descent from Horombo Hut, passing through the moorland and back into the lush rain forest. You will eventually reach the Marangu Gate where successful climbers will receive their summit certificates (gold certificates for Uhuru Peak and green certificates for Gillman's Point). Afterwards, you will be transferred back to Arusha town.

• Main Destination : Arusha Town
• Hiking Time : 6 hours
• Distance : About 27 km
• Habitat : Rain forest
• Elevation Change : -1,890 m