Early in the morning after breakfast our driver will take you with your guide, porter and chief to Marangu gate where registration and other formalities will be carried out to ensure safety and regulation compliances to both climbers and their assistants.
Distance :It will take about 8 kilometers from Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Time consumption : It will take 4-6 hours of hiking till you reach Mandara Hut.
Habitat : Montane forest. After a while you will start to ascend on a cleared ridge route through the rainforest. The forest covered with mist and saturated with beards of moss, also the trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth.
After three hours hiking, you will reach Mandara hut. The weather at Mandara hut isn’t much cold and normal dressing and a jacket is enough. For the day you will have lunch and dinner and rest while you are acclimatization.
Early in the morning after your breakfast, you will starts hiking towards Horombo hut, the climbing height will be 1000 m thought the combination of mountain forest and moorland landscape.
Distance :It will take about 12 kilometers from Maranda Hut to Horombo Hut.
Time consumption : It will take 6 to 8 hours of hiking till you reach Horombo Hut.
Habitat : Moorland. In this trail you will passes through a stretch of forest for a while and then you will move towards the Maundi Crater where the trail will lead you away from the forest and ahead the moorland which is more of rugged and open landscape.
While ascending, up through the rim of the Maundi Crater, you will have the possibility to see Kibo Crater, and if it will be clear day, you will also manage to see the glaciers of Kibo pick, of which its great ideal for photographic purposes.
In the moorlands you will also encounter some of mountain most spectacular and beautiful plants which are giant lobelia and groundsel growth varies up to 3 or 5 meters above the sky. Later in the afternoon you reach Horombo Hut read for hot dinner, rest and staying for overnight.
While ascending, up through the rim of the Maundi Crater, you will have the possibility to see Kibo Crater, and if it will be clear day, you will also manage to see the glaciers of Kibo pick, of which it is great ideal for photographic purposes.
In the moorlands you will also encounter some of mountain most spectacular and beautiful plants which are giant lobelia and groundsel growth varies up to 3 or 5 meters above the sky. Later in the afternoon you reach Horombo Hut read for hot dinner, rest and staying for overnight.
After your breakfast in this beautiful day, you will have rest or short distance hiking in the surrounding areas to overcome this level weather challenging. This is an important acclimatization day at Horombo Hut.
This is one of important and recommend situation, as it will assist a climber with acclimatization and success towards the summit. So, to achieve this exercise well, you will choose one of the three activities;
One is to remain at Horombo Hut so to give your body time to relax and adjust itself to the increasing altitude.
Second ; You can embark on a short acclimatization hike to Zebra Rocks, where there is a beautiful and outstanding geological feature which are zebra-like black and white stripes. These volcanic rocks are located approximately half an hour (30 minutes) away walk on foot from the Horombo huts.
Third ;; You can go on a hike towards Mawenzi which is approximately 1.5 hour. The trail from Horombo to Mawenzi ridge is about 5km distance.
Any of the hiking will help your body better cope with the upcoming higher elevations, but also will reduce the risk of any altitude sickness, there after returning to camp, you will have a hearty meal and spend the evening reviewing the plans and prepare for the next day’s ascent with your guide before having a good rest.
After your breakfast in this beautiful morning, you will starts hiking towards Kibo Hut, here is where the climbing begins with challenging weather as temperature tend to low especial at night hours, but we say it is worth it, due to the adventure contained in it.
Distance :It will take about 10 kilometers from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut.
Time consumption : : It will take 6-8 hours of hiking till you reach Kibo Hut.
Habitat : Alpine desert.This is a barren area of extreme conditions, expansive lunar desert and barren and rugged landscape, with temperatures at night sometimes dropping to below freezing point and day time temperatures being relatively high.
At this level, the climbing becomes more difficult as the oxygen at these altitudes begins to thin out compare to the other previous post you have passed.
The day begin by taking the lower route as best trails to the “Saddle”, which is located between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. This route, will be much easier and has the benefit of passing the last watering point on ascending
In the afternoon, already you will be at Kibo Hut and you will spend the noon hours at the site while your guide and his assistants will be preparing your equipment as you will be making the final ascent at late tonight.
Is at this day we make sure you are in bed at most by 7:00 pm, this is because you will commence to summit the uhuru peak very early.
In the midnight, you will be awakened to begin the final ascent toward Uhuru Peak. The journey to Gillman’s Point, at 5,685 meters, then after you will descend back to Kibo Hut then Horombo Hut.
Distance :It will take about 6 kilometers ascending from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and 15 kilometers descent back to Horombo Hut.
Time consumption : It will take 9-12 hours of hiking till you reach Uhuru Peak and back to Horombo Hut.
Habitat : Stone scree and ice-capped summit. The area habitat is rocky and covered with ice at most, then after will go back to Alpine desert and at evening hours at Moorland habitats again.
In the midnight, you will be awakened to begin the final ascent toward Uhuru Peak. The journey to Gillman’s Point, at 5,685 meters, will be steep and strenuous, but by passing through the Hans Meyer Cave, about 5150 meters for a short rest before continue ascend to the peak. Probably this is the most demanding and challenging section of the entire route, it is very steep and it is where climber will have to go slowly and careful, but also your guide will offer support along the way to finishing point.
After celebrating your incredible achievement at the summit, you will take almost 3 hours descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing with another 5 hours of descending toward to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight stay.
Early in the morning after your breakfast you will starts to descend towards Marangu gate to departure or yet to another tour adventures.
Distance :It will take about 8 kilometers from Mandara Hut to Marangu gate.
Time consumption : It will take 4-6 hours of hiking till you reach Marangu gate.
Habitat : Moorland + Rain Forest. The areas habitats.
After an early breakfast, you continue your descent through Mandara hut, down to Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you will sign your name and details in a register.
To make the testament to your achievement, you will receive a summit certificate. Gold certificate if you have made it all the way to Uhuru Peak, and green certificate if you have reached Gillman’s Point.
After sign out to the park gate you will be transferred to a hotel at Moshi for hot shower, a hot meal and overnight stay or otherwise in the evening you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home or prepare you for another planed tour safari.
A backpack is important for you to carry few things which will be useful particularly in days of trekking such as camera, extra warm cloth, skin oil, rain jacket and other things as you will be instructed.