After breakfast, you will be transported to Marangu Gate. After your guide finalizes registration, you will start the trek through the dense tropical rainforest. In the rainforest, there is a good chance to see the black and white colobus monkeys swinging from the trees. After arrival at Mandara Hut, you can decide to rest or trek to the Maundi Crater, where you can see Mawenzi Peak if it is a clear day, and then hike back to Mandara Hut for dinner. This will be your accommodation for the night.

Elevation: 1,800m- 2,700m
Distance: 7km
Hiking time: 4-5hrs

Today you will trek to Horombo Hut. Once you set out on the trek, you will soon leave the rainforest behind and be in the moorland zone. The landscape here is a rocky desert plain with giant heather trees. At Horombo Hut, you can have spectacular views of both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks if the weather permits. After arriving, you can have a rest and lunch. We recommend a small acclimatization hike towards Kibo Hut, then back to Horombo Hut for dinner and the night.

Due to this route being short, participating in extra acclimatization hikes can be essential to allow your body to acclimatize better to the significant altitude differences and increase your chances of summiting Uhuru Peak.

Elevation: 2,700m - 3,720m
Distance: 11km
Hiking time: 5-6hrs

Today is an important day to help you acclimate to the elevation gains you have had. Adding this extra day to your trek will increase your chances of successfully summiting Uhuru Peak.

Today we will start and end at Horombo Hut and hike toward Mawenzi Peak, passing the zebra rocks along the way. We will increase in elevation at Mawenzi Hut before descending back to Horombo Hut. Doing so helps your body adjust to the significant attitude changes you have had. After hiking to Mawenzi Hut and back, the rest of the day is spent relaxing and enjoying the views.

● If you plan on completing the trek in 5 days, this acclimatization day is omitted from the itinerary

Elevation: 3,720m - 4,600m (Mawenzi Hut) - 3,720m
Distance: 8km
Hiking time: 4-5 hrs

The trek to Kibo Hut is not very difficult. Still, you must keep your pace slow, as they say, "pole pole". Doing this will help with your body's ability to acclimatize. As you increase in elevation, you will notice the vegetation starts to diminish, and views of Mount Kilimanjaro's summit can be seen. Kibo Hut is located at the bottom of the Kibo Crater wall. You will arrive at Kibo Hut in the afternoon to rest and prepare. Shortly after dinner, you will sleep, as tonight at midnight, you will start your midnight climb toward the summit.

Elevation: 3,720m - 4,700m
Distance: 10km
Hiking time: 6-8 hrs

Today is your summit night, with a very early start to the day. The trek will start at about midnight as you walk towards the summit, making this your most challenging day on the mountain, between the significant elevation gain to the summit and the significant descent after the summit. Although this route is considered the easiest of the three crater ascent paths, it is still extremely difficult, don't underestimate the trek.

The high altitude makes this a very challenging summit night. This will be your most difficult day, but your guides will assist you along the way. The lack of oxygen, the closer you get, will be challenging, and you will need to focus on your breathing. Walking along the crater rim towards Uhuru Peak, you can see the glaciers covering Kibo up close. After reaching the summit, the amount of time spent here will depend on the weather and your health status at the current time.

You will then descend to Kibo Hut for lunch and a rest. After this, you will pack up your belongings and continue your descent to Horombo Hut. This hut is the final stop of the day, where you will relax for the night and have a delicious dinner as you will be exhausted from the long day.

It is important to go slowly during your descent from the summit and make sure you are watching your footing as you will get tired. The descent is a common place for injuries to occur from falling and losing your footing if moving too fast.

Elevation: 4,700m - 5,895m (Uhuru Peak) - 3,720m
Distance: 16km
Hiking time: 11-12hrs

Today is your last day on the mountain. After breakfast, you will descend to Marangu Gate. The same gate you started the trek on. You will walk through the beautiful forest before arriving at the gate. At the entrance, you will receive your summit certificate if you successfully summited Uhuru Peak. Your driver will be waiting for you here and will drive you back to your accommodations for the night.

Elevation: 3,720m- 1,800m
Distance: 19km
Hiking time: 5-6 hrs

Today we will have a driver take you to the airport for your departure flight. If you choose to continue on another tour after your climb, we will take care of that for you to ensure a seamless transition to your next tour.