Marangu Route

Your journey begins at Marangu Gate (1,860m) where you'll register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. The first day's hike takes you through lush rainforest where you might spot blue monkeys and various bird species.

Today's hike takes you above the rainforest into the heath and moorland zone. The vegetation becomes more sparse as you gain altitude, with giant heather and lobelia plants dotting the landscape.

Today is dedicated to helping your body adjust to the altitude. After a leisurely breakfast, you'll take an acclimatization hike to Zebra Rocks (4,020m), which offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The rest of the day is free to relax, play cards, and enjoy the mountain scenery. This extra day significantly improves your chances of reaching the summit.

Today's trek takes you through the alpine desert to Kibo Hut at the base of Kibo peak. The landscape becomes increasingly lunar-like as you ascend, with only the hardiest vegetation surviving. You'll reach Kibo Hut in the early afternoon, where you'll have an early dinner and rest before the midnight summit attempt. Try to get some sleep, though many find it difficult at this altitude.

You'll wake at around 11 PM for tea and biscuits before beginning the challenging ascent to the summit. The climb to Gilman's Point (5,685m) is steep and demanding, taking 5-7 hours. From there, it's another 1-2 hours along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement and taking photos, you'll descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue down to Horombo Hut for the night.

After breakfast, you'll descend through the moorland and back into the rainforest. The descent is much easier than the ascent, and you'll appreciate the increasing oxygen levels as you go lower. At the park gate, you'll receive your summit certificates (gold for those who reached Uhuru Peak, green for Gilman's Point). You'll then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a well-deserved shower and celebration dinner.