DAILY ITINERARY

DAY 1: DRIVE TO KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK RONGAI GATE (NALEMORU), HIKE TO SIMBA CAMP

• Altitude: 2000m/6560ft to 2650m/8700ft
• Walking/Hiking Distance: 6km
• Walking/Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
• Budget Accommodations: Simba Camp

In this first day you will drive to the attractive wooden village of NaleMoru (about 2 hours including a stop to get permits at Marangu). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering the pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

DAY 2: HIKE SIMBA CAMP TO SECOND CAVE

• Altitude: 2650m/8700ft to 3450m/11,300ft
• Walking/Hiking Distance: 6km
• Walking/Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Budget Accommodations: Second Cave Camp

In this day after breakfast you will begin the hike in the morning which is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim.

DAY 3: HIKE SECOND CAVE TO KIKELEWA CAMP

• Altitude: 3450m/11,300ft to 3600m/11,800ft
• Walking/Hiking Distance: 9km
• Walking/Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Budget Accommodations: Kikelewa Camp

In this day after breakfast you will go across the moorland on a smaller path towards the pointy peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios nearby.

DAY 4: HIKE KIKELEWA CAMP TO MAWENZI TARN

• Altitude: 3600m/11,800ft to 4330m/14,200ft
• Walking/Hiking Distance: 6km
• Walking/Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Semi-desert
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Budget Accommodations: Mawenzi Tarn Camp

In this day after breakfast you will proceed with your hike by going through a short but steep climb up grassy slopes where it is rewarded by superb views then leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn which is spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization. If you are spending an extra day on the mountain, you will camp for two nights here. You can hike up and around Mawenzi for your acclimatization hike.

 DAY 5: HIKE MAWENZI TARN TO KIBO HUT

• Altitude: 4330m/14,200ft to 4750m/15,600ft
• Walking/Hiking Distance: 9km
• Walking/Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut Camp

In this day you will proceed with your hike by crossing the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach the Kibo campsite at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent very early.

DAY 6: KIBO CAMP TO SUMMIT AND HOROMBO HUT

• Altitude: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft then Down to 3700m/12,200ft
• Walking/Hiking Distance: 6km up / 15km down
• Walking/Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
• Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp

Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers.

This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and having an optimistic attitude will get you there!

DAY 7: HIKE HOROMBO HUT TO THE MARANGU GATE, DRIVE TO MOSHI

• Altitude: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
• Walking/Hiking Distance: 20km
• Walking/Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Meals included: Breakfast
• Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp

After breakfast, we will take a steady descent down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through the lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (about 3 hour).

Our rates are per person sharing unless we note differently. Please treat all pricing as a guide only:

• All rates are subject to availability and may change without notice.
• Single supplements may apply.
• Request a quote or speak to our Tanzania Safari Experts for the best, most current rates available.

THE PRICE FOR THIS ITINERARY INCLUDES:

• All accommodations per itinerary
• All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
• All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
• All transportation and transfers per itinerary
• National Park gate fees
• Transport from Arusha to trailhead and return to Arusha
• Camping fees
• Certified, experienced, guides for all routes, cooks and porters
• Salaries for all crew members
• Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
• Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
• Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)

THE PRICE FOR THIS ITINERARY EXCLUDES:

• International and domestic flights
• Meals not listed
• Beverages and alcohol
• Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
• Single room supplement
• Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
• Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
• Sleeping bags and personal gear