Day 1 : Rongai Gate – Simba Camp

The day begins with a drive from your lodge to the gate of Kilimanjaro National Park through the villages to Tarakea Moshi region. Once you reach the park gate, report to the park office and final preparations for the climb will begin. Your accompanying porters will arrange the luggage. They load the groceries, water, cooking gas, camping gear and most of your equipment, allowing each porter to carry a maximum weight of 20kg.

The first part of the trail leads through the moist rainforest, which quickly becomes lighter on the dry north side. Soon you will reach the heather zone. Simba Camp has a magnificent view out over the plains of Kenya. The entire trail can be walked in about 4 to 5 hours.

Day 2: Simba Camp – Second Cave

Today you ascend to the Second Cave. The entire route takes you through heathland towards the peaks of Mawenzi to the Second Cave, where you will spend the night.

Day 3: Second Cave – Third Cave

This day is reserved for acclimatization. Today you continue walking relaxed for 3 to 4 hours through the heathland from the second to the third cave up.

Day 4: Third Cave – Mawenzi Tarn Hut

Today begins with a short but steep climb up the grassy mountainside. A fantastic panorama awaits you there as a reward. The health landscape changes into an alpine landscape, in which you then hike for a total of 4 to 5 hours.

Day 5: Mawenzi Tarn Hut – Kibo Huts

Today’s 6 to 8-hour hike takes you through “The Saddle”. A scenic area that connects the Mawenzi and the Kibo.

An early dinner and rest while we prepare for summit night.

Day 6
Kibo Hut (4750m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3750m)

You will get up around 11:20 p.m. After fortifying yourself with tea, you will shuffle off into the night. The first section of the trail consists of a difficult rocky path to the Hans Meyer cave (5150m). The trail then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5681m) which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of boulders and requires great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route.

From Gillmans Point you will typically encounter snow up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions at the summit will dictate how long you can spend photographing before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short break at Kibo Hut, collect all the gear you left for the climb and head down to Horombo Hut (3 hrs) for your overnight stay. The Returning to Horombo Hut will appear surprisingly fast compared to ascension. The total time you spend walking this day is around 14 hours. So be prepared for a very tiring day. Later in the evening you will have your last dinner on the mountain and sleep well into your well-deserved sleep.

Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo

Day 7
Horombo Hut (3750m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)

After breakfast, you continue your approximately 6-hour descent past Mandara Hut down to Marangu Gate. You will receive your summit certificates at Marangu Gate. Those climbers who have reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) will receive green certificates and those who have reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) will receive gold certificates. You then drive back to your accommodation for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebration.