Marangu Gate - Mandara Huts
In the morning you will be picked up from your hotel in Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here
8.3km /5mi | 4-5 hrs. | Rainforest
Elevation: 1905m/6250ft to 2723m/8934ft
Altitude gained: 818m.
ACCOMMODATION:Mandara Hut
Mandara Huts - Horombo Huts
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, through heath land, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels. Continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, to enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts late afternoon beneath the spectacular Kibo Summit viewpoint. Temperatures begin to drop.
12.5km/7.8mi | 6-8hrs | Mooreland
Elevation: 2723m/8934ft to 3721m/12,208ft
Altitude gained: 998m.
ACCOMMODATION:Horombo Hut
You can spend a full day and a second night at Horombo. On this day, you can rest at the huts or take a stroll up to the Mawenzi base camp then return to the Horombo Huts. This extra day will help your acclimatization, and further your understanding of the mountains weather and altitude. After your pause, you will continue up to the Kibo Huts on your fourth day for your midnight start to the summit.
After breakfast, we continue on through the dwindling heath land that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Here while we stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.
10.5km/6mi | 6-8hrs | Semi Desert
Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 4714m/15,466ft
Altitude gained: 993m.
ACCOMMODATION:Kibo Hut