Explore Africa
with Safari Spots
Day 1
Transfer from Arusha to the town of Moshi, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro.
MOUNTAIN INN
Dinner
Day 2
After breakfast and a short tour briefing from the guide, we depart for the Marangu Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (it is a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the Marangu Gate). Upon registering with park authorities, our climb will officially commence with a four-hour walk to the Mandara encampment. We will pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. We will spend the night at Mandara Hut (9,000 ft), an attractive collection of buildings. Bathrooms are available with running water.
MANDARA HUT
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Today we will continue our ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 9,800 ft (approximately a six-hour walk). Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. We will spend the night at Horombo Hut (12,200 ft), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone. Bathrooms are available with running water.
HOROMBO HUT
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Our trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 13,100 ft) and, once we cross the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. This sevenhour walk will be taken at a slow pace. We will spend the night at Kibo Hut (15,400 ft), a comfortable stone construction (no running water at Kibo Hut). This semidesert zone receives an annual rainfall of under 10 inches; the ground often freezes at night, but ground temperatures soar to above 86 F by day. Few plants other than lichens and grasses survive in these conditions.
KIBO HUT
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Shortly after midnight, we will commence our climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman’s Point (19,230 ft) on the crater rim when it is frozen. An early start for the six-hour hike also improves our chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman’s Point, we will continue along the crater’s edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From the summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we will spend our last night on the mountain.
HOROMBO HUT
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Today’s descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. From here, you will be transferred to Mountain Inn in Moshi for dinner and overnight.
MOUNTAIN INN
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7
Transfer from Moshi to Arusha and depart.
Breakfast
US$ 3195 per person
