Day 1: Moshi – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara Hut (2700m) – Begin of Kilimanjaro Climb – Marangu Route

After breakfast and briefing, you will be collected and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After some paperwork at the gate, the porters will load the gear and your trek can begin. Soon you will find yourself in the misty forest – trees, ferns, flowers and birds abound. You might also see blue monkeys or the white-tailed black and white colobus monkeys. You will reach Mandara Hut after about four hours. After resting a while, you can walk to the Maundi Crater from where you will have views towards Kenya. Supper in the dining hall of Mandara Hut. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3700m) – Kilimanjaro Climb – Marangu Route

After an early breakfast you set off and soon you will be out of the forest. Continuing into a section of shrubs and grass – the moorland zone where you will stop for lunch on the way. Continue for a couple of hours to reach the bustling Horombo Huts at 3700m. The huts have great views over the farms and plains below. You might start to experience the altitude: headaches, nausea. Drink a lot of water, eat well and rest. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Horombo Hut – Zebra Rocks (4020m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)

Up and down. Today will help your body to adapt to the altitude. This section will improve your chance of reaching the summit. After breakfast, you will hike to the Zebra Rocks (4020m) named after distinctive black and white stripes of the rock formation. Returning on the same path, you will be back at Horombo in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore. Overnight again at Horombo Hut. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Horombo Hut (3700m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)

Today’s section is long and uphill. The scenery changes into a moon landscape, barren and rocky as you cross the ‘Saddle.’ The piece of mountain was formed when the volcano erupted. The resulted lava flow now links Kilimanjaro’s two peaks – summit Kibo and Mawenzi. If you experience headaches and nausea, these are symptoms of altitude sickness. Help your body cope by drinking water and walking slowly. You should reach Kibo Hut after about five to six hours. Supper will be served early so you can get to bed. Try to rest as you will need to be up and walking again by midnight. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Summit Attempt – Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)

Today is summit day. You start out at night when the volcanic ash is still frozen and walking is easier. The mountain guide will wake you up and after some tea and snacks you will begin the slow trek to the summit.

You will stop briefly at Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. Continuing ‘pole pole’ you should reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater’s rim by sunrise. As you feel the warm rays of the sun, you will continue for an hour or more up to the peak.

Standing here on Uhuru Peak at 5895m you are now on the ‘Roof of Africa’, the highest point on the continent. After a few photos and hugs, you will turn back. The descent is fast and dusty as the lava ash will now have thawed. After a few hours you will stop at Kibo Hut for snack and a rest. From there you will continue down to Horombo Hut (3700m) arriving in the afternoon. Eat well to replace lost energy and have good rest. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Horombo Hut (3700m) – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Marangu – End of Kilimanjaro Climb – Marangu Route

The final leg of your Kilimanjaro trek passes along the same path that you ascended on – through the heather, red-hot pokers and shrubs of the moorland vegetation zone. You will stop for a cooked lunch at Mandara Hut (2700m).Soon, you will descend into the humid and green forest where you might spot the extravagant tails of the colobus monkeys. After a total time of six hours hiking, you should reach the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Transfer back to Stella Maris Lodge where a hot shower and fresh clothes, cold beers are waiting. Breakfast.

Day 1: Machame Gate (1790m) – Machame Camp (3010m) – Begin of Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

You will be picked up after breakfast and make your way there for the start of your climb. Once you have arrived your guide will get started with the formalities (entrance forms) while you observe all the different teams and mountain crew getting ready for their expedition. It’s always a fascinating experience for clients to watch them load all the different items for the trip. As soon as everything is prepared your Kilimanjaro climb adventure will begin.

The destination for today will be the Machame Camp which you should reach in about 5 – 6 hours. On route you will experience a wonderful rainforest with ancient trees, primeval ferns, liana & lichen to mention but a few. Another favourite to look out for on this day is the black and white thumbless colobus monkeys. Once you arrive at your campsite for the night you have time to relax before enjoying a well deserve dinner prepared by our own cook. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 2: Machame Camp (3010m) – Shira Camp (3845m) – Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

Although today is a shorter stretch then yesterday you will still have an early start which will allow you to reach today’s destination around mid-afternoon. The landscape changes dramatically from the green mountain rainforest into moor and heath land. You will have a beautiful view of the mountain range from your campsite which is situated at the Shira Plateau. The glacier of Kibo also lights up as the sun sets for the evening. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 3: Shira Camp (3845m) – Lava Tower Hut (4640m) – Barranco Camp (3960m)

Today is a good day for the body to acclimatize for the days to follow. You will climb roughly 700m but will sleep on a level not much higher than the night before. We will start at Shira Plateau and make our way up to Lava Tower at around 4640m, after a rest we will continue through the Barranco Valley until we reach our destination for the day the beautiful Barranco Camp.

Today’s trek will be approximately 6 – 7 hours, during which time you will experience the alpine desert as well as the Barranco Valley with its small lobelia plants and giant senecio’s. You will sit down for a well-deserved dinner before it’s time to rest in preparation for the next day. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 4: Barranco Camp (3960m) – Barafu Camp (4640m)

The first section of today’s route is to scale the ‘Barranco Wall’. Use your hands and feet. Safety is paramount and you will be secured if necessary, but it looks more daunting than it actually is. The trail continues with many up and down sections, crossing a few streams, winding and climbing stopping for lunch in the Karanga Valley. After lunch there will be another 2 – 3 hours climb before you reach Barafu Camp (4640m). Tonight, drink a lot of fluids, try to eat and go to bed early to rest enough before tomorrow’s summit trek. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 5: Barafu Camp (4640m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Mweka Camp (3080m)

You will be woken in the midnight hours with a cup of tea and a biscuit. Dressed warmly and geared with a headlight and your daypack you will set off in the darkness. After 5 – 7 hours of ‘pole pole’, you will reach the rim of the crater, Stella Point. Another one to two hours of going slowly along the crater’s edge and you will arrive at the summit – Uhuru Peak (5895m).

Looking down over the surrounding landscape below in the early morning light, will make you feel on top of the world. You have now reached the ‘Roof of Africa’. The descent should be easy but dusty, as the volcanic ash will now have defrosted. Returning on the same route you should arrive at Barafu Camp within a few hours where the porters are waiting with food and tea. Resting for an hour or two, you will continue down to reach Mweka Camp (3080m) for your overnight stay. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Day 6: Mweka Camp (3080m) – Mweka Gate (1630m) – End of Kilimanjaro Climb – Machame Route

After breakfast you will have a traditional farewell ceremony from all your mountain crew. After a short 2 – 3 hours walk through the rainforest our driver will be waiting for you at the Mweka gate. You will then be transferred back to Stella Maris Lodge for a well deserved shower, a cold drink, a debrief and the awarding of your certificate of achievement. The rest of the day is yours to relax and to reflect back on this once in a lifetime experience. Breakfast.