Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a friendly representative from Everyday Safaris will be there to greet you. You'll then be smoothly transported to your accommodation in Marangu.

For your stay, we highly recommend our sister company, Babylon Lodge. Arriving early offers you a fantastic opportunity to meet your experienced guides. They'll provide you with valuable insights into your upcoming Kilimanjaro adventure and assist in assessing your equipment.

This early interaction will also aid in your acclimatization to the higher altitudes. During this briefing, your guides will elaborate on various aspects, including the terrain, anticipated weather conditions, safety measures, and strategies to maximize your chances of reaching the summit.

It's the perfect time to address any questions or concerns you may have about the climb scheduled for the next day. If your arrival is later, worry not, as the briefing will take place the following morning before your departure. Rest assured, your accommodation will be at Marangu, ensuring a comfortable and convenient start to your Kilimanjaro experience.

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

The morning of your Kilimanjaro adventure starts with a hearty breakfast. Your diligent guides will efficiently prepare everything, ensuring you are ready for the journey ahead. The Kilimanjaro National Park Gate awaits, and if the briefing didn't take place the previous day, it will be conducted this morning before your departure.

Upon reaching the park gate, all hikers are kindly requested to sign in and make their final preparations for the hike. Meanwhile, our dedicated porters and guides will be hard at work, meticulously organizing all the equipment, food, and other essential mountain provisions.

It's vital to have your daypack at the ready, containing essentials like drinking water, your lunch pack, camera, and extra clothing. Once on the trail, the porters move swiftly, so accessing any items they are carrying will be quite challenging.

Your journey begins as you traverse the lush rainforest, commencing at the park gate situated at 6,000 feet and ascending to the Mandara Huts, perched at 9,000 feet. This leg of the trek typically takes around 5 hours, with an anticipated arrival at Mandara Hut by approximately 3 or 4 PM. Here, you can unpack, unwind, and enjoy some refreshing tea or coffee.

As an added treat, take a 15-minute detour to Maundi Crater. This vantage point provides a splendid opportunity to marvel at the scenic surroundings, offering sweeping vistas of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. A delicious dinner is served early in the evening at Mandara Hut, a collection of cozy wooden A-framed huts nestled within a forest clearing. Each hut is thoughtfully equipped with 4-8 sleeping bunks, all illuminated by solar-generated lighting.

The camp can comfortably accommodate up to 85 climbers. Freshwater flows into the camp from springs located uphill, and there are even flush toilets conveniently located behind the main hut for your comfort.

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

After breakfast hike to the Horombo Huts at 12,000 feet. From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland.

It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.

Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 6m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.

For those seeking extra acclimatization, an additional day can be wisely spent at the Horombo Huts, situated at an elevation of 12,000 feet. Much like Mandara, Horombo Hut forms a charming village of huts perched on a small plateau.

The scene here is always brimming with hikers, spirited guides, and diligent porters, creating an ambiance of adventure and anticipation. As you spend time at Horombo Hut, you'll have the unique opportunity to encounter fellow trekkers both ascending and descending the trail.

This supplementary day and night at Horombo Hut serve the vital purpose of enhancing your acclimatization to the high altitudes. To make the most of it, consider embarking on a hike towards the Mawenzi-Saddle, a journey that includes a captivating visit to the Zebra Rocks along the way. The ascent typically takes around 3 hours, while the descent requires approximately 1.5 hours. This hike not only promises remarkable scenery but also significantly contributes to your acclimatization process. As always, staying well-hydrated and moving at a deliberate pace are key.

At Horombo Hut, all your meals for the day are thoughtfully provided. Once you've savored your dinner, it's advisable to retire to bed early. Ensuring you get a full and restful night's sleep is the perfect way to wrap up your day of preparation.

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

Another spectacular day on your trek begins with a refreshing breakfast. If you happen to rise early, seize the opportunity to capture the breathtaking sunrise through your lens. The morning view from Horombo Hut is known for its magnificent sunrise moments that you won't want to miss.

From Horombo, you'll encounter two distinct trails leading to the "Saddle," an area nestled between the towering peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Here, you face a choice: the upper route (found on the right-hand fork) or the lower route (located on the left-hand fork). For a more manageable and slightly shorter journey, the lower route (left-hand fork) is the recommended path. It takes approximately an hour to traverse and conveniently passes by the final watering point at an altitude of 4,130 meters. As always, it's essential to maintain a steady pace, ensuring you stay well-hydrated throughout your hike.

As you ascend further, the terrain shifts into the barren Alpine desert, and you'll reach Kibo Hut. This shelter comprises a sturdy stone-built block house and a few wooden cottages equipped with bunk beds. However, you'll find no streams with water nearby. The summit now beckons, lying another 1,195 meters above, and your ultimate ascent is scheduled for the same night.

To prepare for your summit attempt, ready your equipment, including your ski-stick and thermal clothing, as the temperatures at these heights can be freezing. Ensure your headlamp and camera batteries are fully charged, and it's wise to carry spare batteries as well to guard against freezing. Storing water in a thermal flask will help prevent it from icing over. With a recommended bedtime of around 6:00 to 7:00 PM, aim to secure as much rest as possible to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

• 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

The climax of your journey unfolds around midnight when you emerge from your rest. A steaming cup of tea and a few biscuits offer some warmth and sustenance, preparing you for the formidable task that lies ahead. This is the moment when the real challenge begins, as you venture into the cloak of the night.

The initial segment of the trail takes you along a rocky path that leads to the Hans Meyer Cave, nestled at an altitude of 5,150 meters. From there, the trail gradually ascends, zigzagging its way to Gillman's Point, perched at an impressive 5,681 meters, located on the very rim of the crater.

As you advance from Gillman's Point, you'll find yourself in a world of snow, a predominant feature on the path all the way to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in all of Africa, standing proudly at 5,895 meters. The sense of exhilaration and profound satisfaction that washes over you is immeasurable—you've conquered Kilimanjaro. Your opportunity to capture awe-inspiring photographs will depend on the prevailing weather conditions at the summit.

Afterward, a roughly 3-hour descent transports you back to the comforts of Kibo Hut. There, you can take a well-deserved rest before preparing to collect your remaining belongings and begin your descent towards Horombo Hut. Dinner and accommodation await you at Horombo Hut, providing the perfect conclusion to this epic journey.

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

The morning sun ushers in your descent, a journey spanning approximately six hours. You'll retrace your steps, passing the familiar Mandara Hut as you continue downwards towards the Marangu Gate.

Upon reaching the Marangu Gate, it's time to leave your mark in the register, where you'll inscribe your name and pertinent details. This is also the hallowed ground where triumphant climbers are bestowed with their well-earned summit certificates. These certificates come in two varieties—a vibrant green certificate is the prize for those who've reached Gillman's Point at 5,685 meters, while a distinguished gold certificate is the reward for those who've conquered Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters.

Awaiting you at the Marangu Gate is a vehicle ready to transport you back to the Babylon Lodge in Marangu. Here, a rewarding hot shower will cleanse the traces of your epic journey, marking the perfect beginning to a celebration. For those who indulge, Kilimanjaro beer is on offer, providing a refreshing way to commemorate your remarkable achievement—reaching the highest point in Africa!

As the sun sets on this unforgettable day, your guides and porters will serenade you with traditional Kilimanjaro songs, creating an atmosphere of pure jubilation. It's a night that will etch itself into your memory, and it's here that you'll have the opportunity to express your appreciation through tips before bidding your guides and porters a fond farewell. This marks the end of an extraordinary adventure.

Once breakfast is savoured, it's time to prepare for your journey to the airport or your next destination within Tanzania. The adventure may conclude here, but the beauty of Tanzania still beckons.

If you're eager to explore more, we're more than happy to organize additional tours for you, whether it's an enthralling wildlife safari across Tanzania's diverse landscapes or a sojourn to the enchanting spice island of Zanzibar. Simply let us know your preferences, and we'll craft the perfect extension to your Tanzanian odyssey.