Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - After enjoying breakfast and receiving a briefing from the guide, depart Moshi at 8 AM. A 45-minute drive will take you to the Marangu Gate on Kilimanjaro’s eastern side. Register with the national park and commence hiking at 10:30 AM. In the rainforest, observe the towering Eucalyptus trees, diverse bird life, and Colobus monkeys. At these lower elevations, conditions can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended. Shorts and t-shirts are generally adequate, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing accessible. Pause for lunch halfway, and arrive at the Mandara Huts by 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, relax, and enjoy some tea or coffee. A 15-minute side trip to Maundy Crater offers a wonderful view of the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Dinner is served in the early evening at 7 PM. Bathrooms with running water are available.

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - Begin the day with a 7:30 AM breakfast, then pack for the next trek. Break camp by 8:30 AM, hiking for an hour through rainforest glades, then follow an ascending path through heathland where giant lobelias and groundsels can be spotted. Continue into open moorlands where small shrubs dominate the landscape. Stop halfway for lunch, enjoying stunning views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts by 3 PM, where Kibos summit is visible. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms with running water are available. Altitude effects may be felt here, and to assist acclimatization, consider spending an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a base camp below Kibos sub-peak Mawenzi.

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - Start the day with breakfast as usual, but early risers can capture beautiful sunrise photos. The initial part of the day’s hike ascends through the diminishing heathland, transitioning into a moonscape as you enter the expansive saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. During the lunch stop, and later when crossing this surprisingly large saddle, examine the summit climb up Kibo that will commence in a few hours. Be vigilant for any signs of altitude sickness. There is no running water at the Kibo Huts.

Summit Day! Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro - Enjoy a light breakfast, then prepare for the summit ascent. The aim is to climb before dawn to reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise. Depart at 1 AM, switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, reaching Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 5 and 7 AM. Here, breathtaking views of the legendary crater and its icecaps await. Another 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the renowned snows leads to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. This is Africa’s highest point. Capture a photo at the summit to share with friends. After the summit visit, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, gather belongings, and re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Enjoy dinner and a well-deserved rest! The initial climb is done in the dark with headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until the descent begins, so all warm layers are necessary.

Horombo Hut to Mandara Hut to Marangu Gate

Mount Kilimanjaro - Wake up as usual, pack, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Have lunch there, then continue the triumphant descent through lush forest to the park gate, expected to be reached around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip the guides, cooks, and porters, as they will be left here. A vehicle will transport you back to your hotel in Moshi, where a celebration is certainly in order!

• Lunch
• Dinner
• Breakfast

Rongai Route:

The Rongai route is unique as it is the sole path that ascends Kilimanjaro from the north, near the Kenyan border. While it is becoming more popular among climbers, it still experiences low traffic. This route is ideal for those seeking an alternative to the busier Marangu and Machame routes, for those desiring a more secluded hiking experience, and for those climbing during the rainy season, as the northern side tends to have less rainfall.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.