After breakfast from Springlands Hotel, you will meet your guides and porters and prepare your equipment before departing to Rongai. The climb begins from the attractive wooden village of Nale Moru (1,950m) on a small path that winds through crop fields before entering pine forest.

The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife, including the beautiful Kilimanjaro colobus monkey. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2,600m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains, the walk takes 3 – 4 hours. Overnight 1^st Cave or Simba Campsite. 

The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (3,450m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, we leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Our campsite is in sheltered valley near Kikelewa Caves (3,600m).  Dinner and overnight at 2^nd Caves Campsite.  6 – 7 hours walking.

Today is an acclimatisation day. Morning at leisure, striking out around noon, leaving the main trail and walking across the moorland on a smaller path toward the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. Then onto the campsite at 3^rd Caves OR Mawenzi Tarn Hut for dinner and overnight. Walking distance about 6 kms today – 4 – 5 hours walking.

A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. We leave vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4,330 m.), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatisation.  Overnight at Mawenzi Turn Hut Campsite. [3-4 hours walking]

Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4,750 m.) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night at Kibo Huts. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Camp, and midnight start the ascent to Summit. 

[4-5 hours walking]

We will start the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 01h00. We walk very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s point (5,685m). We will rest there for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip to Uhuru peak (5,896m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4,700m) is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment, we continue the descent to reach our final campsite at Horombo ((3,720m). Walking time 11 – 15 hours. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Campsite.

A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m), the first stopping place on the Marangu route. We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park Gate at Marangu (1,830m). Walking time 6 – 7 hours.  You will then be transferred to Springlands Hotel to overnight on a bed and breakfast basis.

After breakfast, time at leisure and later transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your flight back home.