Day 1 Arrival

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a Maribu Expeditions  representative, and transfer to the Silver Palm Hotel hotel. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Day 2 Trekking From Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut

A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park’s eastern entrance: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes but also your raincoats. When you reach the camp, our mountain support crew will take care of the necessities, pitch the tents, and prepare lunch.

Throughout the entire Marangu route, you will be spending your nights in special huts. They offer a great alternative to those who do not want to sleep in tents.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

ELEVATION 1,860 m to 2,700 m

HIKING TIME 5-7 hours

DISTANCE 11 km

DIFFICULTY Medium

HABITAT Rainforest

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.

Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done 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

ELEVATION 2,700 m to 3,720 m

HIKING TIME 5-6 hours

DISTANCE 10 km

DIFFICULTY Medium

HABITAT Moorland

Day 4 Trekking From Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut Kilimanjaro

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 trekking 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 High

HABITAT Alpine desert

Day 5 Trekking To Uhuru Peak and Descent To Horombo Hut Kilimanjaro

Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking, each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their 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).

Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

ELEVATION 4,700 m to 5,895 m 5,895 m to 3,720 m

HIKING TIME 9-12 hours

DISTANCE 16 km

DIFFICULTY High

HABITAT Arctic

Day 6 Descent From Horombo Hut To Marangu Gate Kilimanjaro

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 with 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

Day 7 Departure

Rest in the hotel and transfer to the airport.