Day 1: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport – Arusha
Day Itinerary
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, after clearing customs and immigration formalities, you will be met and transferred to Arusha.
Overnight: Four Points by Sheraton Arusha The Arusha Hotel
The Arusha Hotel is located in the beautiful city of Arusha, Tanzania. The hotel offers 106 stylish rooms that feature Wi-Fi access, a television and a sitting area. Guests can enjoy a delicious meal at the onsite restaurant as well as unwind with a refreshing drink at the bar. The hotel also offers an outdoor swimming pool, a gym and a terrace that overlooks a tropical garden.
Basis
Dinner and Overnight
Day 2: Mandara Huts, Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises up to an impressive 5896 meters above sea level.
It is one of the world’s highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth; making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe. Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro emerges from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes.
Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush forested foothills, soak up the breathtaking views or take a wildlife safari and spot some of Africa’s diverse wildlife including: elephant, buffalo, leopard, duiker, eland, hyrax, blue monkeys and more.
Day Itinerary
After breakfast you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to Marangu gate. Meet your guide and after the formalities, start hiking from Marangu Gate (1800 m). The hike is 3 to 5 hours through a fascinating rain forest to Mandara Hut (2700 m).
Blue and Black and White Colobus monkeys are sometimes seen. Look for a tiny flower called Impatiens Kilimanjaris; endemic to Kilimanjaro. Picnic lunch en route. Optional hike to Maundi Crater (45 min) or rest upon arrival at Mandara Hut. Afternoon tea, dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.
Overnight: Mandara Huts
This campsite is set in a forest along the Marangu Route. Mandara Huts can accommodate up to 60 campers at a time. The campsite relies on solar lighting and features a dining hall and ablution facilities.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 3: Horombo Huts & Campsite, Mount Kilimanjaro
Day Itinerary
After breakfast start hiking to Horombo Hut (3700 m). Leave the last glades of forest and follow the gently ascending path through the open alpine moorland. Today’s hike takes 5 to 7 hours.
Picnic lunch en route. The altitude begins to make itself felt, cautioning you to walk slowly. “Pole pole” (slowly slowly in Swahili) is the order of the day while enjoying the flora and panoramic views of Kibo massif. Giant Senecios stand guard along the path. Kibo and Mawenzi Peak can be seen on a clear day. Afternoon tea, dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.
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.
Overnight: Horombo Huts & Campsite
The Horombo Huts & Campsite is set along the Marangu Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This site can accommodate up to 120 campers spread across a mix of cabins and tents. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, a dining area, and a ranger’s office. Guests will also have access to an abundant water source near the campsite.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 4: Kibo Hut, Mount Kilimanjaro
Day Itinerary
Hike slowly (6 hours) to Kibo Hut. Today leave moorland and enter the alpine desert past giant lobelia and traversing the saddle that buttresses Kibo and Mawenzi Peak. Packed lunch along the way. Afternoon tea, dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.
Weather: It is cooler as the altitude has increased. Long trousers and long-sleeved shirt. 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.
Overnight: Kibo Hut
Kibo is a little basecamp set in the Kilimanjaro National Park. Climbers set camp here before leaving for Uhuru Peak. Accommodation at Kibo is provided in dormitory rooms that caters to 60 people in a stone house.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 5: Horombo Huts & Campsite, Mount Kilimanjaro
Day Itinerary
Start around 2 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, zig-zagging slowly up steep scree. Continue another 2 hours to the roof of Africa, Uhuru Peak (5895 m). Descend to Kibo and Horombo Hut with the total walk being between 10 and 15 hours.
Meals and overnight at Horombo Hut.
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.
Overnight: Horombo Huts & Campsite
The Horombo Huts & Campsite is set along the Marangu Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This site can accommodate up to 120 campers spread across a mix of cabins and tents. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, a dining area, and a rangers office. Guests will also have access to an abundant water source near the campsite.
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6: Marangu gate – Arusha
Day Itinerary
Descend to Marangu Gate. It is easier to go down than up but today is a sustained descent of 5 hours. Packed lunch on way down. After clearing all the paperwork at the gate, you will be transferred to Airport Planet Lodge for dinner and overnight
Basis
Full Board – Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch
Overnight: Airport Planet Lodge
Airport Planet Lodge is a quick 5 miles from the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). Ideally located mid-way between Moshi and Arusha, we pride ourselves for having one of the best panoramic views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Meru. The Lodge is in a safe compound with tropical gardens, fruit trees, plants, flowers and wild birds for nature lovers to enjoy.
Lodge amenities include a grand swimming pool, a restaurant that offers local and international cuisine, bars, a spa, fitness center, Tanzanite and souvenirs shopping. For those looking to kill time between flights, the Lodge offers quick meals like pizza, burgers, snacks and excellent shower facilities ideal for those arriving or departing through the nearby Kilimanjaro Airport.
Day 7: End of Itinerary
Day Itinerary
Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight back home
