DTS 060

Any physically fit person can climb it. No climbing experience necessary. The mountain climb can be in any month except during long rains in April and May. the best months are January to march and August to October usually with cloudless days. There are two peaks: Mawenzi 5149m and Kibo 5895m.

Route 1 Marangu Route (7 days)

Route 2 Machame Route (8 days)

Day 1 Nairobi - Arusha - Moshi
Board your shuttle bus from Nairobi at 0800hrs and proceed to Arusha arriving at 1300hrs. Depart for Moshi at 1400hrs arriving at 1530hrs. Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel in Moshi or (pickup from kilimanjaro Airport and transfer to hotel in Moshi)

Day 2 Machame gate - Machame Camp
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 18km
Habitat: Montane Forest

transfer from your hotel to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Machame. From here, you trek through the lush forest to Machame Hut. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 3 Machame Camp - Shira Camp
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 9 km
habitat: Moorland

Leave the forest. The path follows a steep ridge passing through open moorlands crossing a large gorge to reach Shira Hut. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 4 Shira - Lava Tower - Barranco Camp
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 15km
Habitat: Semi desert

You turn eastwards and continue ascending through the dry landscape before dropping again to reach Barranco Hut. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 5 Barranco - Barafu Camp
Hiking time: 7 hours
Distance: About 13 hours
Habitat: AlpinE Desert

The path climbs steep out of the Barranco valley and crosses the Karanga valley, then turns north to reach Barafu Hut. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 6: Summit Attempt!!
Barafu Camp - Uhuru Peak - Mweka
Hiking time: 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 7/8 hours to descend to Mweka
Distance: About 7 km ascent - 23 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

A long day with an early start to reach the crater, ream at the Stella point in time for sunrise, then to Uhuru peak, the highest point in Africa. Afterwards, descend to Gilmans point and down to Horombo Hut. Overnight stay at the camp.

Day 7
Descend down passing Mandara Hut to the gate where you are transferred back to your hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8
After breakfast board shuttle bus from your hotel and proceed to Nairobi arriving late in the afternoon (6:30pm)

After breakfast, follow the ascending path through the alpine - meadow. The altitude begins to change and slowdown your pace while enjoying the flora and the view of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at the Horombo Hut 12km from Mandara. Meals and overnight stay at the hut (12,520 ft)

Day 4 Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15km
Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, resume climb, the landscape becomes rugged and rocky. Lobelias begin to appear. Climb to Kibo Hut. Meals and overnight stay at the Hut. (15,520ft)

Day 5 Summit Attempt!!
Kibo Hut - Kibo Peak - Horombo Hut
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru, 6 hours to descend to Horombo Hut
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

The beginning of the last ascent is made in the wee hours of the morning while the scree is still frozen. Climb the very steep part of the route to Gilmans Point (most difficult and tiring part). Uhuru Peak is reached within an hours walk along the crater rim (19,344ft). Start the descent to Horombo Hut for overnight stay.

Day 6 Horombo hut - Marangu Gate
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: about 27 km

Return to a hotel in Moshi. After lunch, have a good rest, meals and overnight stay at the hotel.

Day 7
After breakfast, depart for your next destination, which is optional, either:
a) The National Park (this can be arranged)
b) Kilimanjaro airport
c) Arusha Town
d) Nairobi via border town Namanga arriving at 6:30 p.m.