DAY 1
Nale Moru to Simba camp
Elevation (ft): 6,400ft to 8,700ft
Distance: 4 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain forest

After completing the necessary registration formalities at Marangu National Park gate, we transfer by Landrover to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1950m) on a small path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro Colobus monkey. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail. The forest begins to thin out and our first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

DAY 2
Simba Camp to Kikelewa Caves
Elevation (ft): 8,700ft to 11,800ft
Distance: 5.6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Moorlands

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the ‘Second Cave’ (3450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant senecios near Kikelewa Caves.

DAY 3
Kikelewa Cave to Mawenzi Tarn
Elevation (ft): 11,800ft to 14,210ft
Distance: 3.7 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heath Zone

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before you reach your next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

DAY 4
Mawenzi Tarn to Kibo Huts
Elevation (ft): 14,210ft -15,420ft
Distance: 5.6 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast we cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite, situated 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.

DAY 5
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,520ft to 19,340ft
Distance: 3.5 miles ascent + 9.5 miles descent
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours ascent + 4-6 hours descent
Habitat: Arctic

Our guides wake us before midnight for tea and cookies and final dressing (in many layers) for our summit attempt. It can be bitterly cold. The guides like to have the team on the trail between 12-1a.m. in hope of reaching the summit for the sunrise. Starting off, the trail swings back and forth up a steep scree slope while the line of climbers stretches out in the darkness, only visible by their headlamps. Placing one foot in front of the other and focusing on your breathing, the black sky infinitely above you, this climb is one you will never forget. Most climbers arrive at Gillman’s point, elevation 18,685 feet, in time to see the sunrise around 6:30 a.m. The views from the top looking down on the plains of Africa make it all worthwhile. Some climbers decide they have reached their goal and head down from here, a legitimate summit. Others hike an additional 2-3 hours to the true summit, Uhuru Peak at 19,340′. The descent from Gillman’s point is fairly rapid, taking about 2 hours. Most climbers take a short rest at Kibo Hut before descending to Horombo Hut for the night, arriving in the late afternoon.

DAY 6
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Distance: 12.5 miles
Hiking Time: 5 hours

Another long hike is in store for us today, but it is essentially all downhill, and our spirits are boosted by the satisfaction of yesterday’s climb. Back at Marangu gate, at the park headquarters, we pick up our certificates to attest to our success and bid farewell to many of our porters and guides. We transfer then to our hotel in Arusha (2 – 2 ½ hours), where it’s a welcome treat to take a hot shower, drink a tall cold one and commemorate the climb with a celebration dinner.