 Marangu Gate to Manda Hut

 Elevation: 1843 meters(6046 ft) to 2700 meters(8858 ft)

 Distance: 8 km (5 miles)

 Hiking Time:4 to 5 hours

 Habitat: Rain Forest

We drive to Marangu Gate and register for our trek. We begin our hike with the trail ascending through rain forest. We may see blue monkeys or other wildlife at the upper edge of the forest. The trail continues across open hillsides to Mandara Camp.

Overnight at Mandara Hut

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

 Elevation: 2700 meters (8858 ft) to 3720 meters (12,205 ft)

 Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)

 Hiking Time:Time: 6 to 8 hours

 Habitat: Heath

The trail continues upward into high moorlands. We get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks, two of the three volcanic peaks that make up Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Overnight at Horombo Hut

Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge

 Elevation: 3720 meters (12,205 ft) to 4389 meters (14,400 ft)

 Distance: 5 km (3.1 miles)

 Hiking Time: Time: 2 to 3 hours

 Habitat: Heath

Today is an easy day to provide extra acclimatization time. We hike along Mawenzi Ridge and enjoy the views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks, then return to Horombo Hut.

Overnight at Horombo Hut

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

 Elevation: 3720 meters (12,205 ft) to 4703 meters (15,430 ft)

 Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)

 Hiking Time: Time: 6 to 8 hours

 Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb gradually, then cross the alpine desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. Kibo Hut, our camp for the night, rests at the base of the Kibo crater wall. We enjoy an early dinner, and rest in preparation for tomorrow’s summit bid.

Overnight at Kibo Hut

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak (the summit!)

 Elevation: 4703 meters (15,430 ft) to 5895 meters (19,341 ft)

 Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles)

 Hiking Time: Time: 6 to 8 hours

 Habitat: Time: Arctic

 Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

 Elevation: 5895 meters (19,341 ft) to 3720 meters (12,205 ft)

 Distance: 16 km (9.9 miles)

 Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours

 Habitat: Heath

Summit Day! We begin our climb to the summit at midnight. This is perhaps the most challenging part of the trek. We climb steeply up for several hours in the dark, often in extreme cold and wind, until we reach Gilman Point at 5669 meters (18,600 feet) elevation. Here, we will be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise behind Mawenzi Peak. From here, it is a short hike to Uhuru Peak, the summit of Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa.

We descend back to Horombo Camp. It’s a long descent over much rocky terrain, and can be hard on the knees. We recommend trekking poles. This evening, we enjoy our last dinner together on the mountain.

 Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

 Elevation: 3720 meters (12,205 ft) to 1842.8 meters (6046 feet)

 Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)

 Hiking Time:: 5 to 7 hours

 Habitat: Rain Forest

Our last day is another long hike downhill, through rain forest to Marangu Gate. We collect our summit certificates and say farewell to the mountain. Our vehicle meets us at Marangu Gate and takes us back to Arusha or Moshi.