You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Arusha. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and perform an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Any missing gear will be recommended and provided on a rental basis. 

Accommodations: Arusha Planet Lodge

Meals: Bed & Breakfast 

Nalemoru Gate (1990m) to Simba Camp (2625m)

In the morning, we will drive to the village of Nale Moru at the starting point of the Rongai Route. The first stage of the trek passes through farmland and pine forests. You may have chance to see beautiful Colobus monkeys, or if you’re lucky enough, elephants or buffalos. We will eventually reach and retire at Simba Camp located at the edge of the moorland zone at 2625m.

Distance covered: 8 kilometers | 5 miles

Approximate time taken: 4-5 hours

Accommodations: Camping

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Simba Camp (2625m) to 2nd Cave Camp (3480m)

Make a steady morning ascent to the Second Cave Camp located in the Moorland Zone, with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern Ice Fields located on the crater rim.

Distance covered: 5 kilometers | 3.1 miles

Approximate time taken: 3-4 hours

Accommodations: Camping

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

2nd Cave Camp (3480m) to Kikelewa Camp (3630m)

Leaving the pine forest behind, we continue with a steady ascent walking though moorland. We take in superb views of the Eastern Ice Fields on the crater rim of Kibo, the highest of the three volcanoes which form the mountain. We depart the main trail and head out across moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, the second of Kilimanjaro’s volcanoes. We will set up camp today in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves at 3630m.

Distance covered: 5 kilometers | 3.1 miles

Approximate time taken: 3-4 hours

Accommodations: Camping

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Kikelewa Camp (3630m) to Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m)

In the morning, we take a short, but steep ascent up grassy slopes which is rewarded by a superb view of the Kenyan Plains to the north. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching our next campsite at Mawenzi Tarn Hut, which sits directly below the towering cliffs of Mawenzi. In the afternoon, you have option to rest or explore the surrounding area to help aid in acclimatization.

Distance covered: 8 kilometers | 5 miles

Approximate time taken: 4-5 hours

Accommodations: Camping

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4310m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

We depart our campsite and cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo. After a couple hours, we reach this spectacular place, with the summit of Kilimanjaro in the background and our trail to the high camp stretched out before our eyes. Upon reaching our campsite, the remainder of the day will be spent resting in preparation for our final ascent. 

Distance covered: 8 kilometers | 5 miles

Approximate time taken: 5-6 hours

Accommodations: Camping

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Kibo Hut (4700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. We will begin our final ascent around midnight, which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly rises upwards. At sunrise, we will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. We will have soon forgotten the cold of the night, and after a hike of 1-2 hours, we will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. We eventually return to Kibo Hut, where a warm meal awaits followed by a 1-2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Distance covered: 22 kilometers | 13.7 miles

Approximate time taken: 12-15 hours

Accommodations: Camping

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

The last stage of our journey passes through the heath and moor zone to Mandara Hut (2700m), where a warm lunch will be waiting. We will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after 6 hours of trekking, we will return to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m).

After saying goodbye to our mountain guides, a short transfer will take you back to your hotel in Arusha. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.

Distance covered: 20.8 kilometers | 12.9 miles

Approximate time taken: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

We will provide an airport transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home… or, better yet… you can continue your adventure with a Tanzanian safari!