Roof of Africa Trek (Kilimanjaro)

Welcome to Tanzania! A representative will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to your hotel in the town of Marangu. If you’re lucky and the weather allows, you might catch your first glimpse of the snow-capped Mt Kilimanjaro looming above the surrounding countryside. Your trip kicks off at 6 pm with an important trek briefing and kit inspection with an experienced Kilimanjaro climbing guide. Until then, relax at the hotel or check out the markets and coffee shops in the village just a short walk away. The hotel is also close to some beautiful waterfalls and ancient Chagga caves. After the meeting, head out for a group dinner and get to know your fellow adventurers over some Tanzanian flavors.

After a hearty breakfast, it’s time to meet your guides and porters! Before you start the trek, head to the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project office and learn how various projects support the people who are part of the vital crew helping you to conquer Kilimanjaro. From here, a driver will take you to Marangu Gate – the entrance to Mt Kilimanjaro National Park (6102 ft) – to begin climbing Africa’s highest peak. Follow the trail uphill for 5 mi through dense rainforest up to Mandara Hut (8858 ft). Commonly known as the 'Coca Cola' route, the Marangu Route is Kilimanjaro’s oldest track, with well-established huts where you can buy snacks and soft drinks. Along the way, look out for colobus monkeys and listen out for the noisy silvery-cheeked hornbill. If the skies are clear, you might catch sight of Uhuru Peak – the summit of Kilimanjaro – from Mandara Hut.

Today you'll make tracks for Horombo Hut. You’ll gain over 3000 ft in elevation, but the changing terrain of rainforest that gives way to alpine meadows dotted with giant heather trees will keep you motivated. Once out of the forest canopy, the twin snow-tipped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi lie directly ahead – these are two of the three great cones of Kilimanjaro (the other being Shira). You’ll also traverse several ravines set in a rocky valley where you’ll see a wide variety of vegetation before arriving at Horombo Hut. Spend the next two nights here acclimatizing to the thin air. It’s also a good chance to swap stories with your fellow trekkers over a hot tea or watch the sunset over the vast plains below.

Today’s an acclimatization day. After breakfast, set off on a hike towards Mawenzi Hut (14,150 ft) – passing the unusual Zebra Rocks along the way. It’s a steep climb up a grassy slope, but well worth it for the views which stretch out to Kibo. After, return to Horombo Hut for a well-earned lunch. You have free time for the rest of the afternoon – maybe put your feet up before the next (and pretty intense) leg of the journey, or ask your guides about short walks in the area if you have more energy to burn.

Today you’ll cover about 6 mi from Horombo to Kibo Hut. As the journey progresses, you’ll notice the landscape gradually becoming more rugged – and the air noticeably thinner! Your guides will ease up on the pace to help you adjust. They’ll also point out alpine flora like the giant groundsel and the purple lobelias flower while you traverse the sparse moorland. Continue along the trail, bypassing Mawenzi Peak and the stark lunar landscape of The Saddle, before reaching Kibo Hut in the afternoon (15,430 ft). After dinner, you might want to rest as you’ll have an early wake-up call for summit day tomorrow.

It’s summit day! Your guides will wake you up at 11 pm and serve hot tea before the final push to the summit. The distance from Kibo to Uhuru Peak is around 4 mi (approximately 6 to 8 hours). Setting off beneath the stars, you’ll navigate a scree slope by torchlight to reach Gilman's Point (18,652 ft) in time to watch the sun rise behind Mawenzi Peak. This is a guaranteed way to justify the early morning wake-up call! It's important to keep warm as it can be very cold at this height, especially when you stop moving. It's then another two-hour hike along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (19,344 ft) – the highest point in Africa. After celebrations and photos, return to Horombo Hut for a well-deserved rest (approximately 6 to 8 hours) and post-summit meal.

Fuel up with breakfast and then begin the 12.5-mile descent (approximately 5 to 6 hours) through the alpine meadows and rainforest to the park gate. A vehicle will pick you up and drop you and the crew back at the hotel. Take some time to freshen up and enjoy the hot shower waiting for you after a challenging few days, then regroup for a celebratory dinner. As it’s your last evening together, this is a great chance to raise a toast and reminisce about the journey you’ve shared.

After breakfast at the hotel, a driver will take you to Kilimanjaro Airport for your homebound flight. If you’re not quite ready to leave Tanzania, we’ll be happy to organize additional accommodation and services for you.