View GTC 16 Photo Slideshow
Departs: Any Day
Price: US$ 730pp
Local Payment/Park Entrance Fees: US $ 730pp
Click to Book Now!

Areas of Interest: Kilimanjaro National Park, Moshi, Horombo Hut, Kibo Hut, Mandara Hut, Uhuru Peak, The Saddle, Zebra Rock, Gillman’s point, Hans Meyer Cave, Maundi Crater, Moshi, Marangu.

Activity: Game Viewing, Camping, Scenery, Trekking, Mountain Climbing, Photography, Culture, Bird Watching

Country:Kenya & Tanzania Combination

Tanzania offers some of the best trekking in Africa.  The biggest attraction being the highest mountain in Africa and one of the highest volcanoes in the world - Mount Kilimanjaro.  It is also the highest mountain anywhere that can be climbed by a regular tourist, and thousands of guests attempt to make it to the summit every year.  The hike is even more attractive because you can walk all the way to the summit without the need of ropes or technical climbing experience, but you still need the right preparation. 

“Kili” as it is also known, has a huge oval base of about 50 – 60 km across and ascends almost 5000m above the surrounding plains.  The two main peaks are Kibo, the dome at the centre and Mawenzi, a group of toothed pinnacles on the eastern side.  A third peak called Shira is on the west and is less distinctive than the other two.  The highest point is on Kibo; at 5896m/19,340ft and is the goal for most walkers.

The best time to go trekking is in the dry season, from late June to October when the rains have ended and from late December to February or early March, just after the short rains.  It is essential to note that there is a high possibility of rain even in the dry season but it generally falls for a few hours a day; usually in the afternoon or at night so it doesn’t affect hiking much.  

Marangu is the easiest and most popular route lasting 5 days in duration and you should expect to walk about 64km to the summit from the gate.

Day 1 - Moshi
We depart for Moshi town from Nairobi by DHL Shuttle and spend the night at any hotel of your choice at an extra cost. Here, Mt. Kilimanjaro forms the backdrop of the town, offering amazing views on clear days.

Day 2 - Mandara Hut
7km, 4-5 hours, 700m climb.
Transfer from Moshi to Marangu Gate with porters and guides where you start your climb with a picnic lunch. Dinner and overnight stay at Mandara Hut - 9,000ft / 2,700m.

From the gate, the path passes through a wide, clear opening through a stunning section of the forest. A small distance from the gate, the path divides giving you a longer alternative so that you can watch the birds and monkeys. From Mandara hut, you can visit the nearby Maundi Crater, which is about an hour each way and provides views of the summit.

Day 3 - Horombo Hut
11km, 5-7 hours, 1000m climb.
After breakfast, we climb to Horombo Hut - 12,000ft / 3,700m. Dinner and overnight stay at the hut.

From Mandara, two paths run parallel through the forest, with the eastern being longer but more pleasant. You may opt to spend another night here to help with acclimatisation and a good rest day walk up to The Saddle and lower slopes of Mandara.

Day 4 - Kibo Hut
10km, 5-7 hours, 1000m climb.After breakfast, continue up the mountain to Kibo Hut - 15,450ft / 4,700m for dinner and overnight stay.

After Horombo Hut, the path splits again with the western path being more popular; steadily gaining in height passing the landmark Last Water point and crossing The Saddle. The eastern path is steep and uneven; passing the black and white striped Zebra Rock and another Last Water point. Kibo hut is more basic than the last two stops with no consistent water supply so it must be carried from Horombo Hut or one of the Last Water points.

Day 5 - Uhuru Peak
4km, 7-8 hours, 1200m climb plus 14km, 4-7 hours, 2200m descent.
Early in the morning climb to Gilman’s Point (18,640ft / 5680m) then onwards to the summit - Uhuru Peak (5896m /19,340ft). Then descend down to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight. A very early start to the morning as this stage can involve up to 16 hours of very strenuous walking although you have the option of bailing out at any point or reaching the scree slopes of Gillman’s point so as to arrive in time for sunrise at 6am.

Leaving for the summit between midnight and 1am we begin our slow ascent. It seems like hard work but when you get to Gillman’s point it is definitely worth it. The views of the snow filled crater and the cliffs of the eastern ice fields down to The Saddle and along the edge of the rim to the peak are spectacular. The walk to Uhuru peak along the crater rim with the vertical fall into the crater on one side and the smooth snow covered outer slopes of the dome on the other is one of the most amazing in Africa. At Uhuru peak – 5896m / 19,340ft you will have reached the highest point in Africa and if the weather is good you will certainly want to celebrate your triumph and take in the breathtaking views.

The return from Uhuru to Gillman’s takes about an hour or more and from here to Kibo hut is an easy walk down. If you have strong knees and nerves then you can run down the scree to be back at Kibo hut in less than an hour and then down to Horombo hut for dinner and a well-deserved sleep.

Day 6 – Moshi
After breakfast, we descend to Marangu Gate with a drop off at your hotel of choice.

Day 7 – Nairobi
We depart Moshi by DHL Shuttle for Nairobi.