Today’s Status
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Total Distance: 7 km
Starting Altitude: 1950m (6400ft)
Final Altitude: 2600m (8530ft)
Environment: Montane Forest

After breakfast, we begin the 3-4 hr drive from Arusha and approach Kilimanjaro in counterclockwise direction around the eastern flank of Kilimanjaro through Chagga villages that cling to the mountain slope, up to the border with Kenya before turning in to the Loitokitok Gate.
Our ascent begins in at the small village of Nalemoru 1950m (6400ft) following a trail that winds through lush farmland, pine and cypress forests before ascending into the thick rainforest zone where you may see troupes of black and white colobus monkeys. These monkeys are black with a long ‘cape’ of white hair and a flowing white tail.
We set camp at the edge of the Mooreland zone where the rainforest begins to thin out and panoramic views of the Kenyan plains unfold. In the evening you may hear the unmistakable shrieking call of the tree hyrax.

Today’s Status
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Total Distance: 5 km
Starting Altitude: 4328m (14,200ft)
Final Altitude: 4748m (15,580ft)
Environment: Semi-Desert

We leave camp the way we had come the previous afternoon. Once at the top of the ridge we walk along the undulating trail through the foothills of Mawenzi till we get to the saddle. The saddle is the barren alpine desert between Kibo and Mawenzi.
Barren, except for a few tufts of grass here and there and scattered rocks and the wreckage of a plane.
The trail splits in two, left to Kibo Huts Camp and the one on the right to School Hut where our overnight camp is located. The trails steepens from here on and the going slows down. After stopping for lunch, we continue our steep ascent for the next 2.5 hrs until we arrive at School Hut. The remainder of the day is spent hydrating, eating and taking in our amazing Kibo panorama before retiring early in preparation for the final ascent.

Today’s Status
Hiking Time: 11-15 hours
Total Distance: 18.5 km
Starting Altitude: 4748m (15,580ft)
Final Altitude: 3700m (12140ft)
Environment: Alpine Desert

After rising early to a warm drink and a light snack, we leave camp at around 6am and begin the most difficult though most rewarding day of the trek – your hike to the roof of Africa. You will ascend northwest on rough scree passing Hans Meyer cave.
After approximately 5-6 hours of slow but strenuous hiking, you will reach Gillmans Point, which is the culmination of the most physically demanding portion of your climb. Here we take a short break to rehydrate and enjoy light snacks.
From here we continue our upward journey arriving at the rim of the main crater, Stella Point (5685m). At this point we stop to rest, eat lunch and take in the views over the clouds. From Stella Point the trail is normally snow-covered, and every step of the 2-hour final ascent to Uhuru peak is challenging. Passing alongside the iridescent blue Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers we reach Elveda Point (5882) we can see Uhuru Peak now only minutes away. The roof of Africa is within your grasp.
Arriving at the summit you feel a huge sense of elation and accomplishment you have done it, you have made it to the highest point in Africa. We spend as much time as you need to appreciate your accomplishment, as this is a day to remember for the rest of your life! The time you will spend on the summit will depend on the weather conditions and temperature.
After capturing our summit photos we retrace our steps via Gillmans and descend to Kibo where we stop to remove extra clothing, take refreshments and continue our descent. Six hours after our summit we arrive at Horombo Hut Camp (3700m).