Day 1: Marangu gate (1700m) – Mandara Hut 2740m – (5,500ft to 9,000ft)

After breakfast at Keys Hotel drive  to the Marangu village and proceed to Kilimanjaro National Park  Gate  (45 minutes), register at Kilimanjaro National Park Authority  offices  and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the  Mandara hut  located at 9,000 ft / 2,740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater  is a good  way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania.

Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,740m) – Horombo Hut (3700m) – (9,000ft to 12,100ft)

In  the morning around 8:30 a.m after breakfast, I started trekking to   Horombo hut. After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the   rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the   Horombo hut. The view of Kibo summit and Mawenzi are both stunning and   shining on clear days. In most cases giant lobelias and grounsels are   found on your way. Horombo hut is a point where most of the climbers  use  it for acclimatization whereby they spend an extra day. Spending an   extra day gives a wide chance for a successful summit on the roof of  Africa.

Day 3: Horombo Hut (3700m) – Kibo Hut (4700m) – (12,100ft to 15,400ft)

In  the morning after breakfast the trek will take us to the last  watering  point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks  of  Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heartland but then   disappears into desert-like structure. At Kibo you will have your   dinner, take a nap and at the middle of the night around 23:30 hour   prepare for the summit climb.

Day 4: Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) 

• >Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, 3,760 feet 
• >Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters, 7,140 feet 

Around midnight, I woke up for the  final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the roof  of Africa. The hike begins with a  demanding five hour hike to Gillman’s  Point on the crater rim.  Although this is considered to be the easiest  of the three crater  ascent paths, it is still extremely difficult. The  first major rest  stop, William’s Point, lies at 5000 meters and is  approximately a two  hour hike to Kibo Hut. Continue on for thirty minutes  before beginning  the rocky switchbacks that will continue to Gillman’s  Point (5,681  meters).

The hike from Gilman’s to  Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and as far as  hikes go, not very  difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike  long and tiring. The  crater rim hike takes approximately two hours. Upon  reaching Uhuru,  take photos of your guide and group at the peak before  beginning the  descent to Horombo Hut.

On the way  down from the summit, you will see all of the magnificent  views you  could not see on the way up. Stop for a short break and snacks  at Kibo  Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut. Reach Horombo Hut in  the  afternoon and enjoy your last night on the mountain.

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) 

• >Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters, 6,295 feet 

After breakfast, finish the trek  with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your  last hike on Kilimanjaro is a  beautiful one, passing through  Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your  step during the descent, as the  trail can be slippery. Our vehicles  will be waiting at Marangu Gate to  take you back to  Keys Hotel  in Moshi town