Day 1 – Hotel to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut 

We will meet you at your hotel in Moshi or Arusha in the morning, and after breakfast, there will be a final gear check before loading up into our vehicles.  It’s a high-quality tarmacked road all the way to Marangu Gate, and on the way there, if the sky is clear, you’ll have a good view of the summit.  After signing into Kilimanjaro National Park, you’ll begin your hike through the rainforest, where hopefully you’ll see black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and be serenaded by the birdsong. It’s a gentle climb to Mandara Hut where you will stay overnight in the sleeping huts. 

• Start point Marangu Gate elevation 1879 m (6165 ft)
• End point Mandara Hut elevation 2720 m (8924 ft)
• Elevation gain 841 m (2759 ft)
• Distance covered 8 km (5 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 3 to 4 hours
• Climatic zones Montane Forest 

Day 2 – Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Today will be a longer day, with the trail starting in the forest and quickly bringing you higher into the Moorland zone. The hike is a gentle but steady climb on a wide and even path with some rocky sections.  

• Start point Mandara Hut elevation 2720 m (8924 ft)
• End point Horombo Hut elevation 3720 m (12,205 ft)
• Elevation gain 1000 m (3281 ft)
• Distance covered 11 km (7 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 4 to 5 hours
• Climatic zones Montane Forest and Moorland

Day 3 -Horombo Hut to Horombo Hut

Day 3 is an acclimatization hike to expose your body to higher altitudes, preparing your body for the final hike to the base camp. The climb up to Zebra Rock is slow and steady.   The volcanic rock takes its namesake from its natural black and white colouring.   You will then descend back down to Horombo Hut to spend a second evening there.  

• Start point Horombo Hut elevation 3720 m (12,205 ft)
• Highest point reached Zebra Rock elevation 4020 m (13,189 ft)
• End point Horombo Hut elevation 3720 m (12,205 ft)
• Elevation gain 300 m (984 ft)
• Elevation loss 300 m (984 ft)
• Distance covered 2 km (1 mile)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 1 hour
• Climatic zones Moorland

***If you choose to do the 5-day option, there will be no acclimatization hike on Day 3 and instead proceed you will proceed directly to Kibo Hut as described below.***

Day 4 – Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

The first part of the route to Kibo Hut continues to be a gentle incline with some rocky sections. You will then reach a long and wide saddle, which you need to cross to reach Kibo Hut.  Crossing it sometimes evokes the feeling of a lunar desert, with crosswinds and a barren landscape.  The trail looks deceptively flat, but in fact it has a steady incline.  Kibo Hut is your base camp for your summit attempt, and you’ll arrive with time to sleep during the afternoon and evening in preparation for your summit.   

• Start point Horombo Hut elevation 3720 m (12,205 ft)
• End point Kibo Hut elevation 4720 m (15,486 ft)
• Elevation gain 1000 m (3281 ft)
• Distance covered 9 km (6 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 5 to 6 hours
• Climatic zones Alpine Desert

Day 5 – Summit Day! Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and back to Horombo Hut

Now you’ve reached the final stage of your journey to the highest point in Africa.  Kibo Hut is where Marangu Route converges with Rongai Route. You will depart from Kibo Hut at around midnight early on Day 5, and the trail will be a gradual climb at the start. The trail becomes steeper as you approach Gilman’s Point (elevation 5685 m / 18,652 ft), and it makes use of constant switchbacks to allow for a manageable yet challenging climb, which will require great physical and mental stamina. From Gilman’s Point to Stella Point (5756 m / 18,885, the trail follows along the crater rim, and although it is not so steep anymore, it is rocky and icy so you need to be careful and listen to your guide. At Stella Point, you’ll meet with the climbers from the other routes and then you are only about a hundred vertical metres until the summit at Uhuru Peak.  Congratulations!  You have now made it to the “Roof of Africa”. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend there, but it is important to start your descent within good time to ensure you get enough rest back at Kibo Hut. After your rest, you’ll begin your descent to Horombo Hut where you’ll spend your last night on the mountain and have a well-deserved sleep. 

• • Start point Kibo Hut elevation 4720 m (15,486 ft)

• Highest point reached Uhuru Peak, the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro elevation 5895 m (19,341 ft)

• End point Horombo Hut elevation 3720 m (12,205 ft)
• Elevation gain 1175 m (3855 ft)
• Elevation loss 2175 m (7136 ft)
• Distance covered 21 km (13 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately): Total 11 to 14 hours
  • Ascent from Kibo Hut to Summit (Uhuru Peak)  6 to 7 hours
  • Descent from Summit to Kibo Hut 2 to 3 hours
  • Descent from Kibo Hut to Horombo Hut 3 to 4 hours
• Climatic zones Alpine Desert, Arctic Zone, and Moorland

Day 6 – Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Hotel

Although the final day is a long descent, it can be refreshing to return to lower altitudes and enjoy the feeling of your accomplishment.  The route drops back from Moorland into the rainforest, and you’ll have a pleasant lunch in the forest at Mandara Hut.  Now it’s the final stretch to Marangu Gate and you’ve made it!  Successful hikers who reached Gilman’s Point, Stella Point, and Uhuru Peak will be awarded certificates from Kilimanjaro National Park. After the drive back to your hotel, it’s time to enjoy a shower, dinner and celebrations with a Kilimanjaro beer! (or beverage of your choice)

• Start point Horombo Hut elevation 3720 m (12,205 ft)
• End point Marangu Gate elevation 1879 m (6165 ft)
• Elevation loss 1841 m (6040 ft)
• Distance covered 19 km (12 miles)
• Trekking duration (approximately) 7 to 8 hours
• Climatic zones Moorland and Montane Forest

After your climb

After your celebrations and a well-deserved sleep at your hotel, we will be pleased to transfer you to the airport for your departure.  Or, better yet, extend your stay in Tanzania for a few more days.  Allow us to arrange a trip to the white sand beaches of Zanzibar or a safari to one of our magnificent national parks.  Karibu sana!

What’s included

All our trips on Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro include the following, which is covered in the cost of the trip.

• Mountain guide, cook, and porters
  • fair wages for all team members
• Quality camping equipment
  • Sleeping tents
  • Dining tent
  • Tables and chairs
  • Dishes and utensils
• All park fees.  
  • The Tanzania National Parks Authority (TANAPA) charges various fees for activities within the park.  Some of these fees include: conservation fee (entry fee?), rescue fee, camping (or hut) fee.  We include all the park fees in the cost of your trip.
• Transportation
  • We will transport you from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel upon arrival, and we will bring you back to the airport at the end of your trip.  (If you don’t require this service, we can offer a reduction on the cost of your trip.)
  • We will transport you from your hotel to the start point of your trek and return you to your hotel after your climb.

• Food and water while on the mountain:
  • 3 meals per day. 
  • Treated drinking water.  Water is drawn from natural sources during the climb and we filter and use chlorine / iodine (boil?).  While we are confident our water is safe to drink, many climbers prefer to bring their own treatment methods, which you are free to do.
• Health and Safety equipment
  • Satelite phone? Or other communication?
  • Oximeter.  Used to measure blood oxygen levels.
  • First Aid Kit. (what’s included?) Note, climbers are expected to bring their own first aid kit to treat minor injuries.
  • Emergency oxygen tank (and mask etc?0
• Hotel accommodations
  • 2 nights of hotel accommodations are included.  The night before your climb and the night after.  
  • For Mount Kilimanjaro treks, your hotel will be located in either Arusha or Moshi.  We will consider the proximity to the entrance and exit gates of the chosen route as well as the rest of your itinerary.  
  • For Mount Meru, your hotel will be in Arusha.
  • Your hotel will be a mid-range option; we will include the specific hotel details in your quote.  If you prefer either a luxury hotel or budget hotel, we can easily accommodate that. 

What’s not included

• Tips
  • Tipping is customary on Kilimanjaro and provides a significant proportion of a guide or porter’s salary.  We recommend x per day per person.  (For example, if a group of 4 climbers treks the 6-day Machame route, the tip should be in the range of xxx USD.   
• Some food and drinks are not included:
  • Personal snacks that you may wish to eat while hiking. The type of food is personal preference and many of the types of food you are familiar with from your own country can be obtained in Tanzania. (Granola bars, candies, chocolate).  We especially recommend having some snacks on hand during the long summit hike.
  • Alcohol, soft drinks, bottled water etc. are at your own cost
  • Meals eaten at your hotel
• Personal hiking equipment and clothing.
  • We will provide a detailed recommended packing list xxx when we give you a quote).   Items like your clothing, include cold weather gear and rain gear, hiking boots, sleeping bag, hiking poles, are not included.  Some of these items are available to rent at a reasonable cost. 
• Personal spending money for souvenirs and discretionary spending
• Travel insurance
  • Ensure that your travel medical insurance covers high-altitude hiking up to 5895 metres (Mount Kilimanjaro) and xxx (Mount Meru)
  • Coverage should include trip cancellation or interruption. Read your policy carefully
• International travel costs
  • Your flight
  • Your entrance visa.  US residents pay $100 USD while most other nationalities pay $50 USD.  
  • Pre-departure expenses such as passport photos or passport renewal, vaccinations and travel medicine

Pricing and Payment Overview

• Contact us for a quote. (We need to update the contact form to enter more details)
• Accommodation options
• Payment method.  We currently accept payment by bank transfer.  Although our quote will be in USD, we accept payment in either USD or the local currency, Tanzania Shillings.  We will provide our bank account details to receive the payment.  You should be able to set up a bank transfer via your home bank.  There are also many trusted third party transfer services (Wise, World Remit, Xoom, Western Union) who may offer better exchange rates or a more streamlined process.  We plan to provide credit card payment in the future, but we’re not there yet.
• Payment and Cancellation Policy:
  • 30 days in advance of your start date, we require a non-refundable deposit of 25% of the total cost of your trip.
    • Date change?
    • Cancellation?
  • We require full payment 15 days in advance.
    • Date or itinerary change?
    • Cancellation outright?