Day 1—You arrive today at Kilimanjaro Airport in Arusha, Tanzania. We will take you by group transfer to a comfortable hotel near Arusha where you can rest after you long flight. No meals are included.
Day 2 —Today you can adjust to your African time zone and are free to do as you please until 4:00 PM when you gather for your group orientation meeting. If you want to explore the “little Geneva of Tanzania” as Arusha is sometimes called, you can arrange transportation at the hotel’s front desk. Arusha was established in 1900 as a German garrison town and is located in the shadow of Mt. Meru and offers excellent views of Mt. Kilimanjaro which you can gaze at with anticipation for your coming adventure. You may just wish to relax by the pool or in the gardens to prepare yourself for your coming excursion. Your breakfast and dinner are included.
Day 3 —After an early breakfast you will driven to the park headquarters where we hire the porters and you sign in. The actual climb begins at the park gate at 6,000’ and you hike the 5.5 miles (4-6 hours) to Mandara Hut at 8,860’ which is the upper edge of the forest line. The hike is very interesting as it begins in a bamboo rainforest populated with blue monkeys then opens up to hillside of giant heather. From Mandara a short walk to Maundi Crater is well worth it, time and weather permitting. Lodging here and at Horombo Hut is in wooden A-frame huts that sleep 4 to 8. All meals are included.
Day 4 —Today you have a strenuous 10-mile hike to Horombo Hut which can take 5-7 hours so you must be sure to drink lots of water, no less than 2 liters per day. The trail is slippery and takes you clear of the forests and into the moorland where you often get your first views of the Kibo summit. The trail passes beneath the rocky southern face of Mawenzi —one of the three volcanoes that make up Kilimanjaro. Rainfall in this region is frequent. Horombo Hut is a little village able to accommodate 140 climbers and you will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. All meals are included.
Day 5 —Today is your extra day to acclimatize yourself. It is recommended that you hike towards the Maundi Hut by the upper trail passing by the Zebra Rocks on the way, to a viewpoint at 14,100’. It is about a 4 hour round trip. The trail offers beautiful views of both Kibo and Mawenzi and the birdlife is abundant. The rains arrive almost every afternoon in this area so plan to be back to your hut by 4:00 PM. Most climbers begin to feel the altitude at this level so if you are too fatigued you may wish to spend the day at Horombo. After the rains there are usually beautiful sunsets and the black night sky is crowded with stars. All of your meals are included.
Day 6 —Today’s hike is shorter, about 5 miles, but takes 5 to 7 hours because of the steep climb to Kibo Hut at 15,520’ so the altitude will slow you down. The route takes you directly onto the Saddle which a wide, flat plateau where the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi loom overhead. The views here are utterly amazing! The trail passes over the plateau and then descends to Kibo Hut, a stone hut that sleeps 10-15 people in bunk beds. You have a light dinner followed by a pre-climb talk by your guides. You then turn in early for you will be awakened at midnight for tomorrow’s challenging hike. All meals are included.
Day 7 —Awakened at midnight, you are served tea and cookies and the guides get everyone ready for a 1-1:30 AM departure in order to reach the summit for the sunrise at 6:30 AM. This is a bitterly cold hike so you must be dressed in many layers. The trail begins as switchbacks ascending a steep scree slope. All that is visible is the headlamps of your fellow climbers stretched out in a line in the darkness. You will never forget this climb with the night full of stars and your own breathing to focus on as you move one careful step at a time. Most climbers will arrive at Gillman’s point (18,685’) by 6:30 in time for the incredible view of the plains of Africa at sunrise. It is a sight that makes all your hard work worth the effort. For some, this is far enough and a legitimate summit and they will head back down. If you are strong and determined you can hike the additional 3 hours round trip to the true summit of Uhuru peak at 19,340’and reach it by about 8:00 AM. The views from here are truly spectacular at this early hour before the clouds close in. The descent from Gillman’s Point is fairly rapid taking about 2 hours. Most will want to take a short rest at Kibo Hut before completing your descent to Horombo Hut for the night, arriving in the late afternoon. All meals are included.
Day 8 —Today will be a long, 14-mile hike back to the Marangu gate at the park headquarters. But it is all downhill and you will be in high spirits because of your accomplishment. At park headquarters you will pick up your certificate that attests to your success and bid farewell to some of your companions. You are then driven back to your Arusha hotel where a hot shower and celebration dinner awaits you, not to mention a comfortable bed. All meals are included.
Day 9 —Today you are on your own for shopping in Arusha or just relaxing at the lodge. A day room is provided until you are taken by group transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. Breakfast is provided but not lunch or dinner.