Climbing Kilimanjaro

On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be greeted by your transfer driver and taken to the Park View Inn Hotel. The rest of the day will be at leisure and you may choose to relax at the hotel or perhaps explore the town of Moshi. In the evening, you will attend a briefing in preparation of your upcoming trek.

Includes:
Accommodation: Park View Inn Hotel or similar
Meals Included: All meals

Marangu Gate (1,860m) – Mandara Camp (2,670m)

3-4 hours trek - 7km

Today, you will begin your ascent up the mountain on forest trails. Along the way, you'll encounter beautiful flora and fauna, pass by streams, and eventually reach the sanctuary of Mandara wooden huts where you'll rest and dine.

Includes:
Accommodation: Mandara Huts
Activities: Hiking
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Mandara Camp (2,670m) – Horombo Camp (3,720m)

5-6 hours trek – 11km

The day begins with an early breakfast. After leaving Mandara Hut, you'll pass the treeline and enter shrubland. After walking for around 4 to 6 hours, you will be able to see the Horombo Hut. It is located at an altitude of approximately 3,720 meters. From the hut, you can enjoy the stunning views of Mawenzi, Kibo peak, and the Masai steppe. You will have your evening meal and spend the night at the Horombo Hut.

Includes:
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Activities: Hiking
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

2-4 hours return trek to Zebra Rock

Today's goal is to help your body acclimatise to the altitude. Proper acclimatisation improves your chances of reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, you will set off on a 2 to 4 hour trek to Zebra Rocks (3,980 m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. Upon returning to Horombo Hut, a delicious cooked lunch will be waiting for you. This will be an opportunity to relax in the afternoon and regain your energy for the following day's hike.

Includes:
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Activities: Hiking
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

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

5-7 hours trek – 10 km

Today's stage is long and challenging. The trail leads to the "last waterpoint" and then to the "saddle" - a plateau with hardly any vegetation that connects the summit of Kibo with Mawenzi. The destination for today's trek is Kibo Hut which should take around 5 to 6 hours to reach. Tonight is an early night to get enough rest, for you will be woken at approximately 23h00.

Includes:
Accommodation: Kibo Camp
Activities: Hiking
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Kibo Hut (4,700m) – Summit Uhuru peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

12-16 hours trek – 21 km

Today is the “big day” – the summit stage. You will start in the middle of the night when the lava ash is still frozen and walking on it is easier. You will begin the long and strenuous trek to the summit in the dark. Passing the Hans Meyer cave at 5,200 m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gilman’s Point (5,715 m) on the crater rim. Soon you will have forgotten the cold of the night and after another 1 to 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. Now you are standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The descent follows the same path and the lava ash will now have thawed and allows for a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can rest a while to regain your strength. After the 1 to 2-hour break, you will be on your way down to the Horombo Hut (3,720 m) where you will arrive in the afternoon. After an evening meal, it is early to bed for most.

Includes:
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Activities: Hiking
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch and dinner

Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Marangu gate (1,840m) – Arusha

5-6 hours trek – 12 km

The last stage passes through the heather and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2,670 m) where a cooked lunch awaits you. Soon again you will be in the lush tropical rainforest and after about 6 hours of trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park gate (1,840 m). After saying goodbye to your mountain crew you will be taken back to the Park View Inn Hotel. At the hotel you can have a warm shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

Includes:
Accommodation: Park View Inn Hotel or similar
Activities: Hiking
Meals Included: All meals

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport for your onward travel arrangements.