Day 1– Arrive Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) Tanzania.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met outside
customs area by a driver guide and your head mountain guide holding a sign
board written clearly your booking name and drive to Arusha for dinner and overnight.
Day 2 – Mandara Hut
After early breakfast you will have Kilimanjaro briefing and checking your mountain equipment before collected from the lodge and transferred to Marangu gate. The actual hike begins at the Marangu Gate (1800 m). Hike 3 to 5hours through a fascinating rain forest to Mandara Hut (2700 m). Blue monkeys are sometimes seen. Look for a tiny flower called Impatiens Kilimanjaro’s; endemic to Kilimanjaro. Hot lunch en-route. If you wish you can hike up to Maundi Crater (45 min) or rest upon arrival at Mandara Hut. Afternoon tea, dinner and overnight at MANDARA HUT (BLD)
Weather: warm and humid. Wear T-shirt, shorts and lighter shoes.
Water: available the whole time from a river along the route.
Day 3 –Horombo Hut
After breakfast start hiking slowly to Horombo Hut (3700 m). Leave the last glade of forest and follow the gently ascending path through the open alpine moorland. Today’s hike takes 5 to 7 hours. Hot lunch en route. The altitude begins to make itself felt cautioning you to walk slowly. “Pole pole” (slowly slowly in Swahili) is theorder of the day while enjoying the flora and long view. Giant Senecios stands tall along the path. Kibo and Mawenzi Peak can be seen on a clear day. Afternoon tea, dinner and overnight at HOROMBO HUT, (BLD)
Weather: warm in the morning but cooler in the afternoon when clouds gather.
Wear shorts, T-shirt and hiking boots. Carry a long-sleeved shirt in the day path
for the cool winds.
Water: fill water bottles at Mandara Hut. There is a stream half way to Horombo
Hut.
Day 4–Kibo Hut
Hike slowly (6 hours) to Kibo Hut. Today leave moorland and enter the alpine desert past giant lobelia and walk on the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Hot lunch along the way. Afternoon tea, dinner and overnight at KIBO HUT, (BLD)
Weather: It is cooler as the altitude has increased. Wear trousers and long-sleevedshirt. Thin jacket or jumper in the day pack. Water: fill up bottles at Horombo Hut. 2 hours from Horombo Hut is the last
water sign. The porters will bring water for tea and the hike in the early morning.
Day 5– Final ascent to Uhuru Peak then descends to Horombo Hut
Start around 1 a.m., reaching Gillman’s Point (5685 m) at sunrise. The path from Kibo to Gillman’s is the most demanding 4 hours on the whole climb.Continueanother 2 hours to the roof of Africa, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Descend to Kibo Hut for hot lunch then to Horombo Hut. Meals and overnight at HOROMBO HUT, (BLD)
Weather: cold effects of high altitude is felt. Wear everything you brought.
Water: the porters have carried extra water to Kibo. Ask them and they will fill
your bottles.
Day 6 – Hotel in Arusha
You will hike back to the Marangu gate and park’s headquarters. At Marangu, gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. Meet by a driver guide with packed lunch and drive back to your hotel in Arusha. It is a welcome treat to sleep in a bed, take a hot shower and celebrate.
Day 7- Departure
End of Kilimanjaro climb services
