- Day 1:
Arusha – Mandara
Today you will be picked up at your hotel in Arusha at 8.00 am drive to Moshi then on the Marangu gate. After registration formalities, this is the set off point for your three-hour hike to Mandara Hut in which you cover 9 km. Here, the altitude is 2,774m above sea. Overnight Mandara Hut.
- Day 2:
Mandara – Horombo
After breakfast, start the trek that will take you to Horombo Hut. Trekking time is about 8 hours, however, you will your lunch en route. In clear weather, Mawenzi and Kibo peaks can be seen. Dinner and overnight at the hut, 3,761m.
- Day 3:
Horombo Acclimatizing
You will spend a second night at Horombo. This is an extra day that has been added to improve your chances of reaching the peak which is your ultimate goal. The entire day will be spent here acclimatizing, in the morning trek up for about 3 hours, then start descending to arrive at your base in time for lunch, after lunch relax, spend rest of the day relaxing, in the evening have a small walk along the valley, return to the Banda for dinner and overnight.
- Day 4:
Horombo – Kibo
After breakfast, you have a long hike that is 13 km to Kibo hut at an elevation of 4,732 m above sea level in an average hiking time of 6 hours. You will now get a chance to encounter spectacular mountain vegetation like Lobelia, giant cactus and groundsel.
- Day 5:
Kibo – Horombo via Gil man Point and Uhuru Peak.
This is the day you have been waiting for, you are nervous but excited. Wake up at 02.00 a.m. for a pre-dawn attempt at the summit. It will take you about 5 hours to reach Gilman’s Point at 5,681 m above sea level. From Gilman’s, it takes 1 hour to summit Uhuru Peak, the highest point in African at 5,896 m above sea level. After reaching Uhuru Peak spend some time taking photos and watching as the African sunrises from the horizon. Afterward, descend to Horombo hut overnight.
- Day 6:
Horombo – Arusha
After breakfast, descend further down to the Marangu Park Gate via Mandara. At the gate you will be issued with certificates and your Kilimanjaro crew from Big Expeditions will join you in celebrating your success. On this day dancing is a must and after spending 5 days with your porters, you are already used to their dancing and singing which makes you forget all the pain and focus on your climb. After a colorful short ceremony organized by Big Expeditions to thank your climb, you sadly leave your crew behind and head to your hotel where you find a room reserved for you to refresh till late evening when your driver collects you from the hotel and transfer you to Kilimanjaro Airport to board your International flight.
