Day 1: Rongai Camp
Altitude : 6,396' to 8,530'; Hiking time: 3 hours.
Register at the Marangu park gate and transfer by Land Rover (approximately two and a half hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your climbing staff and begin hiking from the village of Nale Moru . The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently through a forest sheltering a variety of wildlife, including the Colobus monkey. Dinner and overnight at the campsite which is on the edge of the moorland zone with expansive views of the Kenyan plains.
Day 2: Kikelewa Caves Altitude: 8,530' to 11,320'; Hiking time: 6-7 hours .
Challenging ascent to the Second Cave where you will relax and take lunch with superb views of Kibo and the ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch proceed towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi, where we camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves for the dinner and overnight.
Day 3: Kikelewa Caves
Altitude: 11,320' to 14,210'; Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offers superb views of this wilderness area. The vegetation zone ends shortly before we reach our next camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area. Dinner and Overnight at Kikelewa Caves .
Day 4: Kibo Campsite
Altitude: 14,210' to 15,580'; Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
We cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Campsite. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent. Dinner and Overnight at Kibo Campsite.
Day 5: Horombo Hut
Altitude : 15,580' to 18,650' (Gillman's Point) to 19,340' summit; then down to 12,200'; Hiking time: 12-16 hours.
Begin the final, steepest and most difficult part of the ascent at 1:00am . Hike slowly on a switchback trail through loose volcanic screen to reach the crater rim at Gillman's Point. Rest for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. For those who feel strong enough, continue 2 hrs roundtrip to Uhuru Peak passing close to spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs in the summit area. Descend to Kibo for lunch and a rest then continue down the Marangu route to Horombo Hut. Dinner and Overnight at Horombo Hut.
Day 6: Altitude: 12,200' to 6,250'; Hiking time: 5-6 hours.
Descend steadily through the moorland, past Mandara Hut and through a lush rain forest to Marangu park gate where a waiting car is there ready to transfer you back to Moshi or Arusha