Upon your arrival at either Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport, we will transfer you to your hotel in Moshi if you’ve opted for airport transfers. You are encouraged to arrive at least one day before the trek begins. That evening, you’ll attend a pre-trek briefing, where your gear will be reviewed and any required rentals arranged.

After breakfast, we drive for about an hour to the Marangu Gate where the registration process begins. From there, you’ll begin your trek through the lush Montane Forest, a habitat rich with towering Eucalyptus trees, colorful birdlife, and Colobus monkeys. Along the way, a short side trip to Maundi Crater offers views of Northern Tanzania and even into Kenya. The day ends at Mandara Hut, sitting at an elevation of 2700 meters (8875 feet), after a hike of 8 kilometers (5 miles) which typically takes 3 to 4 hours.

Leaving behind the rainforest, the trail ascends into Heathland, opening up to sweeping views of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. Along the way, you'll pass through moorlands dotted with giant lobelias and groundsels, unique to the mountain’s ecosystem. You’ll reach Horombo Hut after trekking for about 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) over the course of 5 to 6 hours. By the end of the day, you will have climbed to an elevation of 3700 meters (12,200 feet).

This is a dedicated rest and acclimatization day at Horombo Hut. You’ll remain at an elevation of 3700 meters (12,200 feet), taking time to adapt to the altitude. If you're feeling energetic, there’s an optional hike toward the base of Mawenzi Peak. This day plays a critical role in ensuring your success on summit day.

Today, you traverse the Alpine Desert, passing the final water point as you move across the barren saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The landscape is stark and otherworldly, often referred to as a “moonscape.” After 9 kilometers (5.5 miles) of hiking over 5 to 6 hours, you’ll reach Kibo Hut, positioned at 4700 meters (15,500 feet), where you’ll have dinner and rest in preparation for the summit attempt.

Summit day begins in the early hours, typically between midnight and 2 a.m. The climb to Gilman’s Point is steep and challenging, over scree and possibly snow. From there, you continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5895 meters (19,340 feet). The views are breathtaking—literally and figuratively. After celebrating your achievement and capturing summit photos, you begin the long descent back to Horombo Hut, passing through Kibo Hut for a short rest and lunch. This intense day covers 6 kilometers (4 miles) uphill and 15 kilometers (9 miles) downhill, taking approximately 6 to 8 hours to ascend and another 5 to 6 hours to descend. The habitat transitions from Alpine Desert back to Heathland as you descend.

Your final day on the mountain begins after breakfast with a descent from Horombo Hut, moving through moorland to Mandara Hut, and continuing down through the lush Montane Forest. This descent covers a distance of 20 kilometers (12.5 miles) and takes around 4 to 5 hours. The route concludes at Marangu Gate, located at 1700 meters (5500 feet) in elevation. Here, you’ll receive your summit certificates before being transferred back to your hotel in Moshi.