Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by your guide and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. In the evening, there will be a detailed pre-climb briefing, equipment check, and a chance to ask any last-minute questions before your trek begins the next day.

•Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel

•Meals: Dinner

After an early breakfast, we’ll drive to the Marangu Gate for registration, then transfer to the northeastern Rongai Gate. The trail begins in cultivated farmlands before entering a pine forest and continuing gently through lush montane terrain. This easy-going hike is a great introduction to Kilimanjaro, leading to Simba Camp on the edge of the moorland zone.

• Starting Elevation: 1,996m

• Ending Elevation: 2,626m

•Hiking Time: 4 hours

•Habitat: Montane Forest

•Accommodation: Simba Camp (Tents)

•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s hike takes us through open moorland as the landscape changes dramatically. We pass the First Caves (a common rest stop) and continue toward Kikelewa Camp. The climb is steady, and the increasing altitude can start to be felt. The camp is set near a water stream, with panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness.

• Starting Elevation: 2,626m

• Ending Elevation: 3,679m

•Hiking Time: 6–7 hours

•Distance: ~11.8 km

•Habitat: Moorland

•Accommodation: Kikelewa Camp (Tents)

•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today’s hike is shorter but steeper as we make our way up to Mawenzi Tarn. The trail winds through grassy hills and sparse vegetation, with increasingly dramatic views. Mawenzi Tarn Camp lies beneath the jagged peaks of Mawenzi and is one of the most scenic spots on the mountain. You’ll spend the afternoon exploring and acclimatizing.

• Starting Elevation: 3,679m

• Ending Elevation: 4,303m

•Hiking Time: 3 hours

•Distance: ~3.7 km

•Habitat: Alpine Moorland

•Accommodation: Mawenzi Tarn Camp (Tents)

•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

From Mawenzi Tarn, the trail leads west across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The terrain changes to a vast, barren alpine desert. You’ll reach Kibo Hut at the base of the summit cone in the early afternoon, with time to rest, eat an early dinner, and prepare for the final summit push starting at midnight.

• Starting Elevation: 4,303m

• Ending Elevation: 4,730m

•Hiking Time: 5 hours

•Distance: ~9 km

•Habitat: Alpine Desert

•Accommodation: Kibo Hut (Tents)

•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Your summit attempt begins just after midnight. You’ll ascend steeply over scree to reach Gillman’s Point (5,681m) at dawn, then continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. After celebrating and taking photos, descend to Kibo for a short rest and meal, then continue down to Horombo Hut for the night.

•Ascent: 4,730m → 5,895m

•Descent: 5,895m → 3,705m

• Total Hiking Time: 13–15 hours

•Distance: 5.4 km up + 15 km down

•Habitat: Scree, Snow/Ice at Summit, Moorland

•Accommodation: Horombo Hut (Dorm-style huts)

•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast, you’ll descend through moorland and montane forest back to Marangu Gate. There, you’ll receive your summit certificate, green for reaching Gillman’s Point, gold for reaching Uhuru Peak. A vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Moshi for a much-deserved hot shower and celebration.

• Ending Elevation: 1,860m

•Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

•Distance: ~19.7 km

•Habitat: Moorland to Rainforest

•Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel

•Meals: Breakfast, Lunch