Day notes
Day 1 | Arrival
Upon arrival in Tanzania - Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. All of the hotels we use offer comfort with rooms with hot showers, swimming pools, pleasant staff and Wi-Fi access. Your tour Manager will brief you on your forthcoming climb in the evening, answer your questions and make sure you are properly equipped for the climb, providing rental gear when necessary.
Transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport [JRO] to Aishi Machame Hotel
Transfer
Kilimanjaro International Airport [JRO]
Aishi Machame Hotel
Check-in to Aishi Machame Hotel
Expert tips:
Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
Day notes
Day 2 | Trekking From Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut
A morning pre-climb briefing and introductions with our team precede the drive to Kilimanjaro Park's Eastern Gate: Marangu, which lies at 1,860 m. Here, your head guide arranges all necessary permits and registration for rescue and search services before you start the walk to Mandara Hut’s 2,700 m. The trail takes you through rain forest with its high probability of rain showers, so bring a raincoat.
ELEVATION 1,860 m to 2,700 m | HIKING TIME 5-7 hours | DISTANCE 11 km | DIFFICULTY Medium | HABITAT Rainforest
Check-out from Aishi Machame Hotel
Transfer from Aishi Machame Hotel to Marangu Gate
Transfer
Aishi Machame Hotel
Marangu Gate
Hike from Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts
Absolute Vantage Limited
Hike
Marangu Gate
Mandara Huts
Check-in to Mandara Huts
Expert tips:
This being your first day at high altitude we strongly recommend the following:
- Do not consume any caffeine or alcohol
- Drink often, a little at a time for a total daily intake of 4 litres minimum.
- Take Diamox for relief from altitude sickness symptoms. It is usually taken in the morning before the day's climbing. Consult your physician before undertaking the trip to check for possible contraindications.
- Heed your body's warnings and promptly inform your guide of any adverse symptoms.
Acclimatization-associated discomfort is common at night, when your body gets less oxygen than during the day. This is normally expressed in the form of nausea and headaches.
Day notes
Day 3 | Trekking From Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut
Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second high altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcanos at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.
Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you
ELEVATION: 3,720 m to 4,700 m | HIKING TIME: 4-8 hours | DISTANCE: 10 km | DIFFICULTY: Medium | HABITAT: Alpine desert
Check-out from Mandara Huts
Hike from Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts
Absolute Vantage Limited
Hike
Mandara Huts
Horombo Huts
Check-in to Horombo Huts
Expert tips:
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (3,920 m)
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Day notes
Day 4 | Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
After breakfast you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Kibo Hut and back. After lunch you have the opportunity to walk around the surrounding area, take pictures of Mawenzi Volcano or just sleep before the upcoming trekking to Kibo Hut.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (4,500 m)
Hiking distance: 5–8 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Day notes
Day 5 | Trekking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
On this day, right after breakfast the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trekking is not very difficult, just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the climbing to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.
ELEVATION: 3,720 m to 4,700 m | HIKING TIME: 4-8 hours | DISTANCE: 10 km | DIFFICULTY: Medium | HABITAT: Alpine desert
Check-out from Horombo Huts
Hike from Horombo Huts to Kibo Hut
Absolute Vantage Limited
Hike
Horombo Huts
Kibo Hut
Check-in to Kibo Hut
Day notes
Day 6 | Ascent to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut
Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). This stretch of Marangu Route is of a moderate physical difficulty, but high altitude puts any climbers body to the test. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).
ELEVATION: 4,700 m to 5,895 m then 5,895 m to 3,720 m
HIKING TIME: 9-12 hours | DISTANCE: 16 km | DIFFICULTY: High | HABITAT: Arctic
Check-out from Kibo Hut
Hike from Kibo Hut to Horombo Huts
Absolute Vantage Limited
Hike
Kibo Hut
Horombo Huts
Check-in to Horombo Huts
Expert tips:
Please note: 90% of mountain accidents - including broken limbs - happen on the way down. However, they are easily avoided by taking care of how and where you step.
Day notes
Day 7 | Descent from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.
ELEVATION: 3,720 m to 1,860 m | HIKING TIME: 5-6 hours | DISTANCE: 18 km | DIFFICULTY: Medium | HABITAT: Rainforest
Check-out from Horombo Huts
Hike from Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate
Hike
Horombo Huts
Marangu Gate
Transfer from Marangu Gate to Aishi Machame Hotel
Transfer
Marangu Gate
Aishi Machame Hotel
Check-in to Aishi Machame Hotel
Day notes
Enjoy the tranquility of your hotel before the airport transfer.
Check-out from Aishi Machame Hotel
Expert tips:
Note: while most hotels have an 11:00 AM check-out policy, they also offer late check-out for those with evening or night flights. The fees are moderate.
