Itineraries
Rongai Route
Duration: 6 – 7 days
The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the north-eastern side of the mountain, along the border between Tanzania and Kenya. This route offers a different perspective on Kilimanjaro by approaching it from the north.
The Rongai route use the Kibo summiting path from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point then joins Barafu summiting route from Barafu hut and descends via the Marangu route.
Rongai Start Point 1990m – Simba camp 2671m
Hiking Time: Approximately 3 - 4 hours
Distance: 7 km
Habitat: Forest (Montane)
Depart from Moshi town after breakfast and drive about 1 hour to the Marangu park gate for registration. From Marangu park gate we travel to Nalemoru, north-east Kilimanjaro, a further 70km and approximately 2hrs 30 min to the Rongai start point. Probably you can have lunch before you begin your hike from the Nalemoru village. The path crosses different plantation like maize and potatoes in the pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through a beautiful countryside. The first night’s camp is at Simba Camp 2671m. The camp facilities include a public toilet and a wooden table with benches.
Simba camp 2671m – Kikelewa Camp 3600m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 – 7 hours
Distance: 13 km
Habitat: Moorlands
We hike from Simba camp up toward Kibo till 3450m for lunch at First Caves, a distance of 5km after lunch we continue trekking until reaching Kikelewa Camp at about 3600m. The views start to open up, and you begin to feel you’re on a really big mountain. Enjoy dinner and overnight at Kikelewa camp.
Kikelewa Camp 3600m – Mawenzi Tarn hut camp 4300m
Hiking Time: Approximately 3 hrs
Distance: 3 km
Habitat: Moorlands
A short, but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn hut, which situated at the base of Mawenzi peak. Spend the afternoon acclimatising and exploring the area, after then is dinner and overnight at the beautiful camp.
Mawenzi Tarn hut 4300m – Kibo hut 4720m
Hiking Time: Approximately 5 hrs
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast, we head west and continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 5 to 6 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo hut.
Hiking Time: Approx 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 - 7 hrs to descend to Horombo
Distance: 6km ascent and 15 km descent
Habitat: Stone and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave 5200m, also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point 5685m, which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest, you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner at the camp and well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Horombo hut 3720m – Marangu Gate 1879m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6h
Distance: 19 km
After breakfast, you continue your descent passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate, you sign your name and details in a register book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point or Stella point will get their certificates for that points also. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!!
Machame Route
Duration of Climb: 6 – 7 Days
The Machame route is our most successful and popular hiking route on Mt. Kilimanjaro, mainly as a result of the following two important factors:
The Main Itinerary Differences Between the Machame 6 Day and 7 Day Routes Are as Follows
6 Day Machame Route
Day 4: Start hiking from the Barranco camp at 8:00am and hike to Barafu camp stopping at Karanga camp for lunch. You can expect to arrive at Barafu camp by 16:00pm to 17:00pm. Enjoy dinner, prepare your summit gear and rest till 23:30pm when you will be woken up for the start of the summit attempt.
Day 5: Start the summit attempt just after midnight and expect to reach the summit by sunrise. Descend to Barafu camp and then to Mweka camp which you should reach by around 16:00pm.
7 Day Machame Route
Day 4: Start hiking from the Barranco camp at 9:00am and hike to Karanga camp, expect to arrive around 13h00 for lunch, dinner and overnight. (An after lunch acclimatisation hike could be a good idea should you feel up to it)
Day 5: Hike from Karanga camp to Barafu camp. You can expect to arrive to Barafu by around 12:00pm which will allow much more time to rest, enjoy dinner, prepare your summit gear and rest till 23:30pm when you will be woken up for the start of the summit attempt. (An after lunch acclimatisation hike could once again be a good idea should you feel up to it)
Day 6: Start the summit attempt just after midnight and expect to reach the summit by sunrise. Descend to Barafu camp and then to Mweka camp which you should reach by around 16:00pm.
Machame Route Trek Overview
Machame Gate – Machame camp 2835m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: 11 km
Habitat: Montane forest
Your day starts early with breakfast, followed by about 1-hour drive from Moshi to the Machame Gate. The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment at the gate. After registering at the gate office, you start your ascent and enter the Montane rain forest almost immediately. There is a strong possibility of rain in the forest, which will transform the trail into a very soggy, muddy experience. You will have a welcome lunch stop about halfway and will reach the Machame camp in the evening.
Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have erected your tent on arrival. In the evening the waiters will bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night.
Machame camp – Shira Cave camp (3750m)
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: 5 km
Habitat: Moorland
You rise early at Machame camp and after breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours at a gentler gradient through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, you continue up a rocky ridge onto the Shira plateau. You are now due west of Kibo and after a short hike you will reach the Shira campsite. The waiters will once again supply you with a small bowl of washing water, before serving dinner. Before dinner, you can have a short walk to view the shira plateau. The night at this exposed camp will even be colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to freezing.
Shira Cave Camp 3750m to Lava Tower (4600m to Barranco camp) (3900m)
Hiking Time: 6 - 7 hours
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Semi-desert
The route now turns east into a semidesert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach after about a 4 - 5 hour trek. Lunch is served at a designated area. This is definitely the toughest day so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some climbers will start experiencing symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. After lunch, you descent again to the Barranco camping area 3900m
After reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall.
Barranco camp 3900m – Barafu camp (4600m)
Hiking Time: 8 hours
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome-looking obstacle, which in the end usually turns out to be easier than expected. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Mount Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys.
The last water point on the route is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a camping area to spend the night. Make sure that you familiarise yourself with the terrain before dark.
The summit is now a further about 1290m higher, and you will commence with your final ascent attempt, the same night. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries, and make sure you have a spare set available as well. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
Barafu camp -Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
Distance: 5 km ascent and 12 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit. You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue.
Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life!
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
Mweka camp 3100m – Mweka Gate
Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 4 to 5 hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems, which could make they descend longer than planned.
At Mweka gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
After clearance at the gate, you drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Lemosho Route
Duration: 6 – 7 days
The minimum duration for the Lemosho route is 6 days, however we strongly recommend hiking the route in 7 or 8 days. The additional days will give your body more time to acclimatise, reducing the effects of altitude sickness, and give you more time to rest before attempting the summit.
The Main Itinerary Differences Between the Lemosho 6 Day and 7 Day Routes Are as Follows
6 Days Lemosho Route
Day 4: Start hiking from the Barranco camp at 8:00am and hike for 10km to Barafu camp, stopping at Karanga camp for lunch. You can expect to arrive at Barafu camp by 16:00pm to 17:00pm. Enjoy dinner, prepare your summit gear and rest till 23:30pm when you will be woken up for the start of the summit attempt.
Day 5: Start the summit attempt just after midnight and expect to reach the summit by sunrise. Descend to Barafu camp and then to Mweka camp, which you should reach by around evening
8 Days Lemosho Route
Day 4: Start hiking from the Barranco camp at 8:00am and hike approximately 6km to Karanga camp, expect to arrive around 12h00 for lunch, dinner and overnight. (An after lunch acclimatisation hike could be a good idea, should you feel up to it)
Day 5: Hike from Karanga camp to Barafu camp. You can expect to arrive to Barafu earlier which will allow much more time to rest, enjoy dinner, prepare your summit gear and rest till midnight when you will be woken up for the start of the summit attempt. (An after lunch acclimatisation hike could once again be a good idea should you feel up to it)
Day 6: Start the summit attempt just after midnight and expect to reach the summit by sunrise. Descend to Barafu camp and then to Mweka camp, which you should reach by around evening
Lemosho Route Trek Overview
Londorossi Gate 2300m – Mti Mkubwa camp 2650m
Hiking Time: Approximately 3 to 4 hours
Distance: Approximately 6 km
Habitat: Montane forest
Your day starts early with a briefing, followed by breakfast and about 2.5-hour drive from Moshi to the Londrossi Park Gate. The guides and porters prepare and pack the supplies and your equipment following registration. We continue by vehicle, a further 12km on a forest track that leads to the Lemosho starting point. This can take approximately 45 minutes.
Trek from the Lemosho start point to the Forest camp where you spend your first night in the mountain. You are advised to stop regularly today and to move quietly in the hope of sighting wildlife near the trail.
Your porters (arriving at the camp site long before you) will have your tent set up on your arrival. In the evening, the waiters will bring a small bowl of washing water to your tent and the cook will prepare dinner, before you retire to your tent for the night.
Mti Mkubwa camp 2650m – Shira1 Camp 3610m
Hiking Time: Approximately 4hrs
Distance: 7km
Habitat: Moorland
You rise at Forest camp and, after breakfast, you trek an hour or so to the end of the forest and then the trail gradually steepens and enters the giant heather moorland zone. Several streams are crossed. After 7 km we reach Shira 1 camp located on the Western edge of the Shira Plateau where we stop for hot lunch and dinner.
Shira 1 Camp 3610m – Shira 2 camp 3850m
Hiking Time: about 5 hours
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Moorland
Trek from Shira 1 Camp toward Shira 2 camp via Cathedral Rocks. As the hike progress, the surrounding area turns into a beautiful landscape. After ho lunch at Shira 2 camp, we can have a short walk to the view of shira plateau and Shira cave camp. Also, we can celebrate with beautiful view of sunset to the shira plateau. Back to the camp for dinner and overnight.
Shira 2 Camp 3850m – Lava Tower 4600m – Baranco camp 3900m
Hiking Time: about 6 to 7 hours
Distance: 10 km
Habitat: Semi desert
Trek from Shira 2 Camp toward Lava Tower. As the hike progress, the surrounding area turns into a semidesert and rocky landscape. Shortly before reaching Lava Tower, the Lemosho route links up with the Machame route. The last part of the hike, (just before reaching Lava Tower), is definitely the toughest part of your hike so far. It is normally around this point, where for the first time, some hikers will start to experience the symptoms of breathlessness, irritability and headaches. You will arrive in time for lunch at Lava Tower after hiking a distance of 7 km.
After lunch, you descent again by almost 700m to the Barranco camping area and after reaching the high altitude of 4600m at Lava Tower, the true acclimatisation benefit of this day becomes clear. This descent to Barranco camp takes about 2 hours (3 km) and offers great opportunities to take some beautiful photographs of the Western Breach and Breach Wall. The camp is situated in a valley below the Breach and great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset while you get some much-needed relaxation before dinner.
Baranco Camp 3900m – Karanga hut camp 3930m
Hiking Time: About 4 hours
Distance: 6km
Habitat: Semi desert
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys.
Around afternoon, we arrive at Kranga camp for lunch and after lunch we go for a short walk to the top of Karanga ridge and back to the camp for dinner and spend our night for today.
Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours
Distance: 4km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Wake up in the morning, have a breakfast then after breakfast our journey starts to the base camp. The last water point is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water source available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. After arriving at this camp before evening, we can experience the route to the summit by hike it for just 2hrs. Then back to the camp for dinner and sleep. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious
The summit is now a further about 1290m higher, and you will commence with your final ascent attempt. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries, and make sure you have a spare set available as well. Rest and sleep.
Barafu camp-Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m)
Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
Distance: 5 km ascent and 12 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend through heavy scree toward Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life!
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rocky path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner and washing water will be prepared.
Mweka camp 3100m – Mweka Gate 1850m
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: About 10 km
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3 to 4 hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems, which could make they descend longer than planned.
At Mweka gate, you sign your name and details in a registration book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
After checking out at the Mweka gate, you drive back to Moshi town for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Umbwe Route
Duration of Climb: Six or Seven Days
The Umbwe route is known for its caves. The first night, you actually sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp. On special request, we can assist with Umbwe route hikes attempting to summit using the Western Breach / Arrow Glacier path and overnight at the Crater camp. Please note this can only be arranged through our higher quality Standard packages and a supplement rate will apply.
Umbwe Gate 1700m – Umbwe Cave camp 2850m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 Hours
Distance: 11 km
Habitat: Rain Forest (Montane)
After breakfast at the hotel, you will be driven to the Machame gate where registration formalities will be completed. From the Machame gate you will be transferred to the Umbwe Gate, passing through villages with coffee and banana plantations. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and steepens to climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth. Enjoy dinner and overnight at the Umbwe Cave Camp, 2850m.
Umbwe Cave camp 2850m – Barranco camp 3900m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 hours
Distance: 7 km
Habitat: Moorland
Shortly after leaving the camp, the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain and moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge. As you gain higher altitude, catch glimpses of Kilimanjaro rising majestically ahead of you. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley.
From the Umbwe ridge, the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp. The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, where you enjoy your dinner and overnight
Baranco Camp 3900m – Karanga hut camp 3945m
Hiking Time: About 4 hours
Distance: 6km
Habitat: Semi desert
After spending a night at the great Barranco Wall (a very imposing sight at first), you make your way up this awesome looking obstacle, which in the end normally turns out to be easier than anticipated. Topping out just below the Heim Glacier, you will now appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys.
Around afternoon, we arrive at Kranga camp for lunch and after lunch we go for a short walk to the top of Karanga ridge and back to the camp for dinner and spend our night for today.
Karanga hut to Barafu Hut, 4600m
Hiking Time: Approximately 4 hours
Distance: 4km
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Wake up in the morning, have a breakfast then after breakfast our journey starts to the base camp. The last water point is the Karranga Valley, as there is no water available at Barafu camp. Barafu is the Swahili word for “ice” and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. After arriving at this camp before evening, we can experience the route to the summit by hike it for just 2hrs. Then back to the camp for dinner and sleep. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get some precious.
The summit is now a further about 1290m higher, and you will commence with your final ascent attempt. Prepare your equipment, hiking poles and thermal clothing for your summit attempt. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries, and make sure you have a spare set available as well. Rest and sleep.
Barafu camp-Uhuru Peak 5895m-Mweka 3100m
Hiking Time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Mweka Camp
Distance: 5 km ascent and 11 km descent
Habitat: Stone and ice-capped summit
You will get up around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits, you shuffle off into the night. You will head in a north-westerly direction and ascend toward Stella Point on the crater rim. For many climbers, the 6-hour walk to Stella point is mentally and physically the most challenging on the route. At Stella Point, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting).
From Stella Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak. The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions. Do not stop here for too long, as it will be extremely difficult to get going again due to cold and fatigue. Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your life!
The walk back to Barafu from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well-earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Mweka hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rocky path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Washing water and dinner will be prepared.
Mweka camp 3100m – Mweka Gate 1850m
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Distance: About 8 km
Habitat: Forest
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3 to 4 hour and scenic hike back to the Park gate. Some hikers do experience knee problems, which could make they descend longer than planned.
At Mweka gate, you sign your name and details in a registration book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
After clearance at the gate, you drive back to Moshi town for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Marangu Route
Duration of Climb: 5 – 6 Days
The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success. Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. All your equipment and supplies are carried by porters, and a cook prepares all your meals.
Marangu Gate 1800m – Mandara hut 2720m
Hiking Time: 4 - 5h
Distance: 8 km
Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 1 hour. The journey passes through the different villages, which are located on the lower slopes of the Kilimanjaro mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you, as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers.
Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found.
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, consisting of a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. Water is piped into the camp from springs above, and there are flush toilets behind the main hut. Dinner is prepared by our cook and served in a communal dining mess.
Mandara hut 2720m – Horombo hut 3720m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6 - 7hrs
Distance: 11 km
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.
Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant senescio (Senescio Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 10m! After about 6 hours trek from here, you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have a hot bowl of washing water; an evening meal and overnight.
Horombo hut (3720m) – Zebra Rocks for acclimatization 4200m
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but bigger than. Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here.
This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike toward the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down) This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.
Horombo hut 3720m – Kibo hut 4720m
Hiking Time: Approximately 5h
Distance: 9 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast, you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right-hand fork) and lower route (left-hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right-hand fork) should be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day (on your acclimatisation hike) toward Mawenzi hut.
The recommended lower route (left-hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last water point at 4100m. Kibo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds, but no streams with water nearby. There are platform toilets behind the hut.
Prepare your equipments and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries, and make sure you have a spare set available as well. Go to bed at about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Kibo hut 4720m – Uhuru Peak 5895m – Horombo hut 3720m
Hiking Time: Approx7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: 6km ascent and 15 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave 5200m, also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point, 5685m, which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest, you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner at the camp and well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Horombo hut 3720m – Marangu Gate 1879m
Hiking Time: Approximately 6h
Distance 19 km
After breakfast, you continue your descent passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate, you sign your name and details in a register book. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point or Stella point will get their certificates for that points also. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!!