6 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

Continue through the upper forest until the trail opens onto high moorland — a dramatic landscape transition. This is where you may get your first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks — two of the three volcanic peaks that form Kilimanjaro's complex summit. Mawenzi's jagged, angular silhouette is particularly striking.

The trail offers increasingly open views as altitude increases. The heath zone's giant lobelias and senecio trees are uniquely African — found only at altitude on the great volcanoes of East Africa. Arrive at the comfortable Horombo Hut with views across the moorland. Dinner and overnight.

This extra acclimatisation day is the most important strategic decision in our 6-day itinerary. National Park statistics confirm that spending an extra day acclimatising increases the chance of reaching the summit by at least 20%. Rather than resting at Horombo, the day is spent on an invigorating excursion to Mawenzi Ridge — making the acclimatisation genuinely enjoyable.

The unique landscape of Mawenzi offers highly motivating views of Kibo (the main summit cone) and Mawenzi's own dramatic jagged peaks. After exploring the ridge, return to Horombo Hut for the night — your body now significantly better prepared for the summit push ahead. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

Climb gradually through the increasingly arid alpine desert landscape, then cross the dramatic "Saddle" — the lunar desert that spans between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Walking across the Saddle feels genuinely otherworldly: flat, barren, windswept and utterly silent at nearly 15,000 feet.

Kibo Hut sits at the very bottom of the Kibo crater wall — the summit cone rising steeply directly above. Arrive in the afternoon, rest, eat an early dinner and prepare your summit equipment carefully. The summit push begins at midnight. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.

Around midnight, begin the final push to the summit — the most physically and mentally demanding portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation can be extreme. Ascend in darkness through loose scree, taking frequent but short rest breaks to manage the altitude. Keep moving steadily — your guides know the pace.

At Gillman's Point (18,600ft) on the crater rim, you are rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise imaginable — the sun rising over Mawenzi Peak as the plains of Africa stretch thousands of metres below. Continue along the spectacular crater rim walk to Uhuru Peak — passing close to the glaciers and ice cliffs that still dominate the summit — to reach the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

After savouring your achievement and the extraordinary summit views — Rift Valley, Mount Meru and the Masai Steppes almost three vertical miles below — descend all the way to Horombo Hut. Dinner and a well-earned sleep.

A long but mostly downhill final day through the tropical rainforest — one of the most pleasant descents on the mountain as the vegetation re-appears and the air thickens. Blue monkeys may accompany you once more through the forest canopy.

At the park headquarters at Marangu Gate, collect your summit certificate — proof of your remarkable achievement. A vehicle meets you here and drives you back to your hotel in Moshi for a final hot meal and well-earned rest. Congratulations on climbing Africa.