Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi Town
Upon arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will proceed through immigration to secure your visa. Afterward, head to the baggage claim area to collect your luggage. Once you’ve cleared customs, you can exit the terminal, where our friendly guide will be waiting to welcome you and kick off your adventure.
You will then be comfortably transferred to your hotel in the charming town of Moshi, located at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. Here, you’ll have the chance to check in, relax, and prepare for the exciting journey ahead.
Day 2: Journey to Nalemoru Gate from Moshi Town then trek to Simba Camp
Start your adventure with an early breakfast at your hotel in Moshi, then depart around 08:00 hours for Nalemoru Gate, located on the northeastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. The journey will take about five hours, with an expected arrival around 13:00 hours. After enjoying a picnic lunch, you’ll complete the registration formalities and meet your trekking team, including the porters who will assist you throughout the climb.
Once everything is prepared, begin your trek, starting at an altitude of 1,950 meters and ascending to Simba Camp at 2,620 meters. The route takes you through pine forests and vegetable fields, then into lush rainforest where you may spot colobus monkeys and other wildlife. The trek covers 8 km (5 miles) and is expected to take about 3-4 hours, aiming to reach Simba Camp by 17:00 hours. After settling in, enjoy dinner around 19:00 hours.
Day 3: Trek to Kikelelwa Camp from Simba Camp
Rise and shine! After your first night on the mountain, enjoy breakfast before departing around 08:00 hours. Today’s trek will cover approximately 12 km (8 miles) with an ascent of about 980 meters, taking around 6 to 8 hours of walking. As you climb, observe how the large heathers diminish in size and trees become scarcer. On clear days, you can see into Kenya behind you. The trail is a steady, steep, and often dusty ascent.
You’ll have a picnic lunch around 13:00 hours before continuing southeast, with the rugged peak of Mawenzi ahead. The path crosses moorland, featuring less elevation gain than in the morning, but it’s still a long and challenging day. You should arrive at Kikelelwa Camp by around 17:00 hours, with dinner served at 18:00 hours.
Day 4: Ascent to Mawenzi Tarn Camp from Kikelelwa Camp
Enjoy an extra hour in bed today as we plan a later departure. The distance is short at just 5 km (3 miles), but we will ascend over 700 meters, making that extra sleep quite beneficial! As you climb, you’ll notice the vegetation quickly thinning out at this altitude, but the views along the Rongai Route are truly remarkable. Our goal is to reach Mawenzi Tarn Camp at 4,300 meters by around 13:00 hours for a cooked lunch. The afternoon will be dedicated to acclimatization in this stunning environment.
On clear days, the views of Kibo at 4,700 meters are outstanding. Dinner will be served around 18:00 hours.
Day 5: Ascend from Mawenzi Tarn Camp to Kibo Tarn Camp
We’re back to an early breakfast to ensure we leave Mawenzi by 08:00 hours. Starting at 4,300 meters, we will ascend to Kibo Camp at 4,700 meters. The route takes us westward before crossing a ridge and continuing along the edge of the Saddle. Although there isn’t much vegetation, you might spot an eland, which is quite surprising at this altitude. Our goal is to reach Kibo Camp by around 15:00 hours, with a stop for a midday picnic lunch.
In the evening, as we prepare for tomorrow’s summit attempt, dinner will be served early, around 17:30 hours, allowing you to get to bed at a reasonable time.
Day 6: Summit Day: Depart from Kibo Hut to Summit then descending to Horombo Hut
Our schedule for “Summit Day” is quite different from previous days. We wake up at 23:00 hours, enjoy tea and biscuits at 23:30 hours, and then depart at midnight. Today’s climb involves ascending approximately 1,195 meters, making it our most challenging day with about 10-13 hours of walking over a total distance of 22 km (14 miles). We aim to reach the summit starting from 07:00 hours onward, navigating a rocky path and a series of increasingly tight zig-zags.
As we ascend, key reference points include William’s Point (5,131 meters), Hans Meyer Cave (5,258 meters), and Gillman’s Point (5,719 meters). The focus today is on moving “pole pole,” or slowly. Upon reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters), we will celebrate our achievement with photos and congratulations before descending back to Kibo Hut by around 11:00 hours for a well-deserved two-hour rest and brunch. We will set off again at 14:00 hours, continuing our descent to arrive at the familiar Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) by approximately 17:00 hours, with dinner served at 19:00 hours.
Day 7: Descent to Marangu Gate from Horombo Hut then journey to Arusha
After breakfast at our usual time of 07:00 hours, we take a moment to express our gratitude to our dedicated guides and porters during the “Tipping Celebration.” Following this, we depart from Horombo Huts and begin our descent toward Marangu Gate at 1,970 meters, making a stop at Mandara around midday for a cooked lunch.
We expect to reach Marangu Gate by 16:00 hours, covering a distance of approximately 20 km (12 miles) in about 5 to 7 hours of walking. Upon arrival, you will receive your certificate, a fitting memento of your incredible achievement. Afterwards, we will proceed by vehicle to Arusha, where you can relax at your lodge for the night. If you still have energy, feel free to celebrate your remarkable accomplishment of climbing Africa’s highest mountain!
Day 8: Departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
As your adventure comes to an end, it’s time to prepare for your departure from Tanzania. Begin your day with a relaxed breakfast, giving yourself a moment to reflect on the amazing experiences you’ve enjoyed. Depending on your flight schedule, you might have the chance to explore the Tanzanite Museum, followed by a visit to Arusha Cultural Heritage for some distinctive souvenirs.
Indulge in a complimentary BBQ lunch at Tembo Club in Arusha before making your way to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home.
As you say goodbye to this beautiful country, cherish the unforgettable memories of your journey and the connections you’ve forged along the way.
