Upon arrival, a representative from Everyday Safaris will escort you to your hotel in Marangu, our sister company Babylon Lodge. If you arrive early, you will have the opportunity to meet your guides, who will brief you on the Kilimanjaro climb and inspect your gear. This will also help you relax and acclimatize to the high altitude.

During the briefing, your guides will provide information on the vegetation, path, anticipated weather, safety, and techniques to increase your chances of summiting. You will also have the opportunity to ask any questions you may have about your upcoming climb. If you arrive late, the briefing will be held the following morning before departure.

Accommodation at Marangu:

Babylon Lodge is a charming and comfortable hotel located on the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. It offers a variety of amenities, including spacious rooms with private bathrooms, a restaurant serving delicious local and international cuisine, a bar with a wide selection of drinks, and a communal lounge where you can relax and socialize with other guests.

The hotel is also conveniently located close to the Marangu Gate, the starting point for the Marangu Route, the most popular route up Kilimanjaro. This makes it an ideal base for climbers preparing for their ascent.

• Hiking time: 5 hours
• Distance: 10km
• Habitat: Montane Forest

Arise at dawn and partake in a hearty breakfast. Your guides will make all necessary preparations, and you will embark on your journey to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate.

If the briefing was not conducted the previous day, it will be held this morning before departure.

Upon arrival at the Park Gate, all hikers are required to sign in and complete their final preparations. Porters and guides will be busy arranging all equipment, food, and other mountain supplies.

Ensure that you have your daypack with you, containing at least drinking water, a lunch pack, a camera, and extra clothing. Porters ascend much faster than climbers, and you will not be able to access any of your belongings on the trail.

Your hike through the rainforest from the Park Gate at 6,000 feet to the Mandara Huts at 9,000 feet will take approximately 5 hours. You will arrive at Mandara Hut around 3 or 4 PM.

Unpack your belongings, rest, and enjoy some tea or coffee. A 15-minute side trip to Maundi Crater is a great way to explore the surrounding area and admire the views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania.

Dinner is served in the early evening. Mandara Hut is a cluster of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut accommodates 4-8 climbers and has solar-generated lighting. The camp has a total capacity of 85 climbers.

Water is piped into the camp from springs above, and flush toilets are located behind the main hut.

• Hiking time: 6 hours/Distance about 12km
• Habitat: Moorland

After a hearty breakfast, embark on a hike to the Horombo Huts, perched at a lofty altitude of 12,000 feet. From Mandara Hut, the trail traverses a brief stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi Crater, and then emerges into the transition from rainforest to moorland.

Consider taking a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your maiden glimpse of the awe-inspiring Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will shimmer in the distance, her majestic glaciers glistening in the morning sun.

Once you emerge into the open moorland, you will have the opportunity to witness some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular flora, including the endemic giant lobelia, which towers up to 3 meters in height, and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 6 meters!

After an approximately 6-hour trek, you will arrive at the Horombo Huts, where you will be greeted with hot washing water, a well-deserved rest, a delicious evening meal, and a comfortable overnight stay.

• Hiking time: 6 hours/ Distance about 10km
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Wake up to a hearty breakfast as usual, but if you're an early riser, seize the opportunity to capture some breathtaking sunrise photos.

From Horombo, two trails lead to the "Saddle" (the area between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). The upper route (right fork) is more challenging, while the lower route (left fork) is easier and takes about an hour longer. The lower route is also the recommended route, as it passes the last watering point at an elevation of 4,130 meters.

Remember to pace yourself and drink plenty of water, especially on the lower route, which is more exposed to the sun.

Kibo Hut, a stone-built blockhouse and a few wooden houses with bunk beds, is situated in the barren Alpine desert. There are no streams with water nearby.

The summit is now a further 1,195 meters up, and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment for your summit bid, including ski poles, thermal clothing, a headlamp, a camera, and spare batteries.

To prevent your water from freezing, it's wise to carry it in a thermal flask.

Try to get as much sleep as possible before setting off for the summit. Go to bed between 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.

• Hiking time: 7-8 hours to Uhuru Peak- 4 hours to descend to Horombo/
• Distance 6km ascend and 9km descend.
• Habitat: Stone Scree and Ice-capped summit

Amidst the ethereal stillness of midnight, you will arise and embark on a perilous journey to the summit of Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.**

Fueled by a humble repast of tea and biscuits, you will shuffle off into the night, where the path becomes treacherous and arduous.

The first section of the trail consists of a rocky ascent to the enigmatic Hans Meyer Cave, perched at an altitude of 5150 meters.

Beyond the cave, the trail zigzags relentlessly up to Gillman's Point, perched at the rim of the crater, at an elevation of 5681 meters.

From Gillman's Point, the path is often blanketed in snow, leading to the pinnacle of Africa, Uhuru Peak, at an altitude of 5895 meters.

Upon reaching the summit, you will be overwhelmed by a sense of exhilaration and satisfaction, having conquered the highest point on the continent.

The weather conditions on the summit will determine the duration of your stay, allowing you to capture photographs and savor the momentous occasion before embarking on the 3-hour descent back to Kibo Hut.

After a brief respite, you will gather your remaining belongings and descend to Horombo Hut, where you will enjoy a well-deserved dinner and accommodation.

This journey is not for the faint of heart, but the rewards are immeasurable. The Kilimanjaro summit offers breath-taking views of the surrounding landscape and a sense of accomplishment that will stay with you for a lifetime.

• Hiking time 5-6 hours/ Distance: About 18 km

After breakfast, you will embark on the final descent to Marangu Gate, passing by Mandara Hut along the way. The descent takes approximately 6 hours.

Upon reaching Marangu Gate, you will sign your name and details in a register and receive your summit certificate.

Climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) will receive a green certificate, while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) will receive a gold certificate.

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu Gate and drive you back to Babylon Lodge in Marangu.

Once at Babylon Lodge, you can enjoy a hot shower and celebrate your success with your guides and porters.

A cold Kilimanjaro beer is the perfect way to toast your achievement, and the guides and porters will sing traditional Kilimanjaro songs to commemorate the occasion.

This is also your opportunity to tip your guides and porters for their hard work and dedication.

Before bidding farewell to your guides and porters, take a moment to reflect on the incredible journey you have just completed. You have climbed the highest mountain in Africa, and you will cherish the memories of this experience for a lifetime.

After breakfast, you will depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania.

We will be glad to arrange for you a tour to see the wildlife of Tanzania or to the beautiful spice island of Zanzibar.

Please inform us if you would like to have the additional tours.

Tanzania is home to some of the most iconic wildlife in the world, including lions, elephants, zebras, and wildebeest. You can experience this amazing wildlife on a safari in one of Tanzania's many national parks, such as the Ngorongoro Crater or the Serengeti National Park.

Zanzibar is a beautiful island located off the coast of Tanzania. It is known for its stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush rainforests. You can relax on the beach, explore the historic Stone Town, or go diving and snorkelling in the Indian Ocean.

No matter what your interests are, Tanzania has something to offer everyone. Contact us today to book your Kilimanjaro climb and additional tours.