Honeymoon

Leave Moshi town about 0900hrs and drive to about 45 minutes to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate such as registrations. Begin hiking at about 1030hrs. Hike through rainforest from the park gate (6000 ft) to Mandara Hut (9000 ft), taking about 4 hours. Stop half way for lunch. Reach Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during early evening, about 7 PM. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings as well as views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Wake to breakfast (approx. 7:30am) and pack for the next leg. Break camp at about 8:30am and hike to Horombo Huts (12,000 ft). This leg should take 5 to 6 hrs. You travel through lower heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. Stop half way for lunch. Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive Horombo Huts at about 3 PM. Rest, unpack and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Wake to breakfast as usual (if you wake before sunup you can get some great photos of the sunrise). Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Huts (15,500 ft). The first half of the day’s hike traverses the upper heath land while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The day’s hike should take 6 to 7 hours, stopping half way for lunch. No running water at Kibo Huts.

Wake at around midnight to a light breakfast, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft) at about 8:30 am. From there you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Huts where you will spend the night. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.

Wake as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Huts. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 2 or 3 PM. Wake as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Huts. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 2 or 3 PM. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower. Overnight in Springlands hotel. It is recommended and tips are highly appreciated at the end of their trip. Tips can be given to the Guide at Springlands Hotel. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. Dinner included.