Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi
Welcome to Tanzania! Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a Pristine Trails representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Depending on your arrival time, you will have a pre-trek briefing with your Kilimanjaro guide either this afternoon/evening or the following morning.
Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Transfer Time: 1 Hour
Meals: None
Day 2: Moshi – Rongai Gate – Simba Camp
Wake early to begin the long drive to the Rongai Gate, passing through local Chagga villages and markets on the way. Upon reaching the gate, you will meet your porters and begin the trek from the Nale Moru Village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before climbing gradually through a pine forest onto Simba Camp, where you will settle in for your first night on the mountain.
Trekking Time: 3-4 hours • Distance: 7 km / 4.3 mi • Altitude Change: 638 m / +2,093 ft
Overnight: Simba Camp
Transfer Time: 3 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Simba Camp – Second Cave
The trail continues up towards Kibo, on a shade-less path that will eventually pass First Cave and take you to your destination at Second Cave, where you will have your lunch and spend the night.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours • Distance: 5.5 km / 3.4 mi • Altitude Change: +852 m / +2,795 ft
Overnight: Second Cave
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Second Cave – Kikelelwa Camp
Today you will walk through open moorland on an undulating path to Kikelelwa Camp where you will spend the night. This camp is located by the Kikelelwa River. From here the clouds tend to clear, affording expansive views of the summit peeking out over the ridge. Spend the afternoon either resting or taking an acclimatization hike in the surrounding area.
Trekking Time: 2-3 hours • Distance: 6.25 km / 3.9 mi • Altitude Change: +188 m / +617 ft
Overnight: Kikelelwa Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Kikelelwa Camp – Mawenzi Tarn Hut
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-around views and a tangible sense of wilderness. You will leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn, spectacularly situated directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi Peak. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the nearby ridge to the west as an aid to acclimatization.
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours • Distance: 3.75 km / 2.3 mi • Altitude Change: +627 m / +2,057 ft
Overnight: Mawenzi Tarn Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Mawenzi Tarn Hut – Kibo Huts
Today you start by retracing steps before heading west across the ridge and dropping down the slope for the crossing of the lunar-like desert of the ‘Saddle’ between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The flora is sparse but the views all around you are stunning. After a few hours you will reach the Kibo Huts at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Spend the evening resting for the final ascent to the summit that will begin at midnight.
Trekking Time: 5-6 hours • Distance: 9 km / 5.6 mi • Altitude Change: +412 m / +1,352 ft
Overnight: Kibo Huts
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Kibo Huts – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Huts
Wake around midnight to begin your ascent to Uhuru Peak. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave. You will then take on switchbacks up to Gilman’s Point at 5719 m / 18,763 ft, situated on the crater rim. This section is very steep with much stone scree and is the most demanding section of the route. From Gilman’s Point, hike for another two hours up to your ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. You made it! Enjoy a short time on the Roof of Africa before beginning the descent.
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours • Distance: : 6.2 km / 3.9 mi • Altitude Change: +1181 m / +3,875 ft
Descend back down via the same route through Gilman’s Point and Kibo Huts where you will stop for a rest and a meal. From there you will continue your descent via the Marangu Route, passing through the heath and moorland zones onto Horombo, where you will spend your last night on the mountain. Enjoy your final mountain dinner and a well-earned night’s sleep.
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours • Distance: : 16 km / 10 mi • Altitude Change: -2174 m / -7,133 ft
Overnight: Horombo Huts
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi
After breakfast, continue your descent, stopping first at Mandara Huts for lunch before the final descent through the rainforest to the Marangu Gate, where park formalities will be completed and you will be met by our vehicles to return you to the Pristine Trails office. Here you will receive your certificate of ascent courtesy of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority, have the tipping ceremony for your mountain crew and collect any luggage you stored. Thereafter, you will be driven back to your hotel where you can treat yourself to a well-earned shower and a good night’s sleep.
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours • Distance: 20 km / 12.4 mi • Altitude Change: -1816 m / -5,958 ft
Overnight: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel
Transfer Time: 1 hour
Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Continuation of Your Journey or Departure
After breakfast, you will begin the next leg of your journey either onto your wildlife safari or you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight.
Transfer Time: 1 hour to airport
Meals: Breakfast
