Arrival and Hotel Registration
On your arrival we pick you up at the airport and register you in your hotel (included in your package). In Moshi we offer 3-4 star accommodation based on bed & breakfast but we can also accommodate you in Arusha up to a 5 star rating, also B&B. Our normal center is Moshi, a small, clean, quiet town in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro. You will have time for a evening tour and visit Moshi town with its markets and street traders before you relax for your evening sundowners!
You will receive an evening briefing on your climb preparations.
Total Distance from airport to Moshi: 41 km/25.2 miles and to Arusha: 58 km/36 miles.
- Main Destination:
- Moshi (Town)
- Accommodation:
- Parkview Inn
- Meals & Drinks:
Game Drive Mkomazi National Park
A one-day Game Drive of Mkomazi National Park offers a unique experience for your pre-climb adventure. It will also allow you to see some of Tanzania's local life and culture before your climb.
Mkomazi National Park, established as a rhino sanctuary in 1989 and in collaboration with the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust, dedicates itself to the preservation of Africa's endangered rhino population. Exposed to the ever-present danger of the poachers who continue to be enticed by the far eastern rhino horn markets, the rhino is now on the endangered species list. In the park you will be able to see the rhino at close hand and in its natural environment.
This is a one-day safari dedicated to the cause of rhino conservation.
In the evening relax, put your feet up or go for a swim at the Kilimanjaro Resort Hotel, Marangu. Set into the foothills of Mount Kili and only a short distance to the Marangu Gate for Kilimanjaro, it sports the most luxurious garden toilets in the region!
- Main Destination:
- Mkomazi National Park
- Accommodation:
- Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort
- Meals & Drinks:
Marangu Gate Kilimanjaro Registration
After breakfast at Kilimanjaro Resort Hotel, Marangu, we drive to Marangu Gate for park registration and begin our trek by path from the entrance through rainforest towards Mandara Huts. You may see a lot of wildlife, including many birds and monkeys. Mandara Huts are shared and are just for sleeping. You can cozy up nice and warm in the huts as the temperature begins to drop. There is a central dining hall for meals and communion.
Final elevation: 8,858 ft (ca. 2,700 meters). Terrain: Rainforest.
Total Distance travelled: Kilimanjaro Resort Hotel-Marangu Gate; approx 10 km/6 miles, Marangu Gate-Mandara Huts; 8 km/5 miles.
- Main Destination:
- Foothills of Mt Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Mandara Hut
- Meals & Drinks:
Mandara Huts to Horombo Hut
Continuing on the Coca Cola Trail we climb to our next destination — Horombo Huts. Here the terrain changes from heathland to alpine over rocky ground. Here you will also begin to see some magnificent views over the mountainside and up to the peak. The going is now getting slower. Horombo Huts are larger structures than Mandara with a capacity of 120 in total. You will be cozy and warm again after an evening meal prepared by our cooks before you settle into your own sleeping bag, prepared for the next stage.
Final elevation: 12,205 ft (ca. 3,720 m) Distance: 3 miles (ca. 5 kilometres).
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Horombo Hut
- Meals & Drinks:
Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge then back to Horombo Hut
Acclimatization on your climb to the summit is crucial to a successful summit attempt. It is possible to climb in 5 days but the going will be difficult. As the marketing manager for Baba Kilimanjaro Tours and Safaris I've done this in 5 days and can speak from experience!
As we climb up to the Mawenzi Ridge we reach a height of 16893 ft/5149 meters, only approximately 800 meters below the summit. As we climb down again to Horombo Hut our bodies adjust to the reduced oxygen levels at the higher altitudes and can recover the balance before the summit attempt. Back at the Horombo Huts that you know well now!
Total distance trekked: approx. 5 km/3 miles. Going is slow. Terrain Arctic desert.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Horombo Hut
- Meals & Drinks:
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
We now climb gradually, across the arctic desert that is the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Uhuru Peak. Kibo hut is a shared bunkhouse meant only for a short rest before the final ascent. At this stage you will be feeling the effects of altitude sickness which gets worse at night. Therefore, you will have a light snack as you arrive in the afternoon and rest into the early evening. You will be awakened around midnight to prepare for your final ascent.
Kibo hut is basically a bunkhouse where you will gather your strength for the final ascent. Sleep is hard to come by at this altitude so a brief rest is your best option.
You will take a rest at Gilman's point where you will see the most spectacular sunrise over Africa, and you will be the first to see it!
Horombo Huts - Kibo Huts (4700 m/15420 ft); walking distance: 9.5 km/5.7 miles; walking time: 5-7 hours. Altitude gain: 1000 m/3280 ft. Terrain: shale and rocky; Arctic Desert.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Kibo Hut
- Meals & Drinks:
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and return to Horombo Hut
Around midnight, you begin your final ascent. We ascend in the darkness for about 4 hours while taking frequent, short, breaks. The going is very slow to snail’s pace! The locals will say ‘pole, pole’ (pronounced polay) which is Swahili for slow, slow. At Gilman’s point (5,670m/18,600 ft (ca. 5,669 m)), you will see the sun coming up over Africa — probably the most rewarding you will ever see! Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak(5895m), the highest point on Kibo — aka Mount Kilimanjaro. After a welcome photo opp we start our descent the same way to Kibo for a short rest then continue down to Horombo hut(3720m). Later that evening, we get our well-earned rest and last dinner on Kilimanjaro.
Uhuru Peak Elevation: 19,341 ft (ca. 6 kilometres); trekking time: 6-8 hours; terrain: shale and rocky; Arctic Desert.
Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut; trekking time: 6 hours; terrain: shale and rocky; Alpine.
- Main Destination:
- Mt Kilimanjaro Summit
- Accommodation:
- Horombo Hut
- Meals & Drinks:
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate then back to Moshi
Here we have a downhill trek back through the tropical rainforest to Marangu Gate where we collect our Mount Kili certificates. You will then be driven back to Moshi and a welcome shower at your starting point hotel. You can now admire your certificate as a Kili-conqueror!
Total Trekking Distance: 18.2km/11.6mi plus return to Moshi (36 km/22.3 miles).
- Main Destination:
- Moshi (Town)
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks: