Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu, Tanzania. With prior arrangement, airport pick up and private transfers to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort are available from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), or simply make your own way by taxi. We will gather in the evening for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check. We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we begin our climb through the dense semi-tropical rain forest to Mandara Hut (8,800 ft). Situated near a volcanic cone, the balance of the day will be at leisure to rest and enjoy the views.
[4-5 hours walking]

Rising early you will climb through forests and across alpine meadows to Horombo Hut (12,100 ft). The terrain becomes rockier with both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks in full view. Giant lobelian begin to appear in the landscape.
[5-6 hours walking]

Today is a rest day at Horombo Hut (12,100 ft). You can relax at camp, but it is better to engage in a hike up towards Mawenzi for a couple of hours and return to Horombo Hut to aid in acclimatization.

We cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!
[5-6 hours walking]

We will start the final and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (18,650 ft) We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach Horombo Hut (12,100 ft). [11-15 hours walking]

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (8,800 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Marangu National Park gate.
[5-6 hours walking]