This is an exhilarating hike that offers views of the summit on all days from the 1st day of the hike till the day you summit. This particular route is one of the less challenging routes. Scale to the peak of Kilimanjaro summit and the stunning views from the rooftop of Africa. On the descent, walkthrough moorland into a beautiful natural forest characterized by giant ancient trees.
Tour Maps
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Itinerary Details
Day 1: Nairobi – Loitokitok
Our safari guide receives us upon arrival at the airport or picks us up from our hotel and drives us to Loitokitok. The drive takes about 4hours, past the busy Mombasa road, branches off Emali Loitokitok road where one can see the glacier -covered Peak of the majestic Kilimanjaro miles ahead. After another 100km we get to Kibo Slopes Cottages on the base of Kilimanjaro for dinner and overnight stay.
Accommodation: Kibo Slopes Cottages
Meal Plan: D B
Day 2: Loitokitok – Nalemoro (2000m) - Sekimba Camp (2700m, 4 hours)
After 0700h breakfast, we fill our water bottles, take our mountain gear and hand over extra luggage to the hotel’s staff for safe keeping. A 14 km-drive takes us to Tarakea where we complete border formalities and further 8km to the Nalemoro starting point at 2000m. Here we meet our mountain guide and his crew, then register with the National Park Authorities. From here we embark on our trek through farmland, along natural forest to the moorland. On the way we stop for a lunch break only soon to find our crew having set up the tents long before we arrive. We are welcomed with a hot cup of tea before dinner.
Accommodation: Sekimba Camp
Meal Plan: B L D
Day 3: Sekimba Camp (2100m) – Third Caves (3900m, 7 hours)
Today we have our first picnic breakfast overlooking the plains below and the massive Kibo point towering above us. At about 8.00am our hike through the moorland leads to the 3rd Caves, where vegetation ends giving way to alpine desert. The climb takes about 7 hours with a lunch break at the 2nd Caves, a scenic spot at 3300m. Dinner & Overnight stay will once again be in a fly camp.
Accommodation: Third Caves Fly Camp
Meal Plan: B L D
Day 4: Third Caves (3900m) – School hut (4750m, 5 hours)
After a good night-rest before the summit ascend, we hike through rocky moonlike landscape to School Hut at 4750m (Hut once renovated by Kibo Slopes Safaris in the 1990s but now under the management of the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority.) As we approach the school hut the oxygen gets scarce and our speed slows also.Depending on our speed we can have a lunch stop on the way or have a late hot lunch at the hut. In the late afternoon, we rest as we gaze at clouds below and the rugged Mawenzi Peak in the east.As the sun sets, we retire to our sleeping bags on the hut’s plank beds.
Accommodation: School Hut
Meal Plan: B L D
Day 5: School hut (4750m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m, 7 hours) - Horombo Hut (3800m, 6 hours)
Having had a short night-rest we start with a hot drink before the final ascent from1.30am with our water bottles filled with hot drink. The path gets gradually steeper finally taking us to the Gillman’s point (5685m) where we can watch the sunrise over the Mawenzi Peaks and the magnificent northern ice fields. After a short break, we proceed along the crater rim to the Uhuru Peak and arriving at about 9.00am. After taking summit photos, we descend to Kibo Hut for lunch before descending another 3hours to Horombo (3720m) where we spend the night in a fly camp. The brave ones can have a cold dip in the nearby stream which is surrounded by senecio and lobelia on the river banks.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: B L D
Day 6: Horombo (3800m) – Marangu (1800m, 5 hours) – transfer to Moshi
After breakfast, and a final glance at the conquered summits we have 6 hours final leg descend through moorland into a beautiful natural forest characterized by giant ancient trees. After lunch at Mandara, we get to the Marangu Gate (1800m) at 1.00-3.00pm depending on our speed and strength. Here, we will be awarded certificates for a successful climb & bid the crew goodbye. After about an hour transfer to Leopard Hotel in Moshi, we finally get the long awaited hot shower, a delicious dinner and a good night rest in a comfortable bed.
Accommodation: Leopard Hotel
Meal Plan: D B