Touch down at the Kilimanjaro International Airport where your own personal driver will be waiting to greet you. Let your driver whisk you away to Arusha Planet Lodge in the bright and bustling city of Arusha – gateway to Tanzania. Each room at Arusha Planet Lodge is well appointed, spacious, clean and comfortable to make your stay enjoyable. Conference facilities to suit team building activities, retreats, business meetings and other functions Well trained Chefs to create appetizing local and internation- al cuisine. From nyama choma, rice/ugali with fish, banana stew and many others, you should take time to sample Tanzanian staples as prepared by the respective and diverse tribes.

Arusha is the beating heart of the wild – the last port of civilization before heading out into dense jungles and rich savannah plains. The markets of Arusha burst with color, and throng with locals picking up their weekly wares. The numerous cafes sell dark and deliriously good coffee from the plantations, and close by the infamous National Park lures visitors in to explore her evocative Maasai culture and exotic flora and fauna. In the evening you will enjoy a quick briefing which will be conducted by professional Mountain Guide about your trekking, and to ensure if you are ready for climbing.

Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge or Similar Accommodation

After breakfast at your hotel, you will check out and depart to Marangu Gate, about 4 hours’ drive from Arusha town, as a getaway point to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and you will be accompanied by mountain guides and crews all the way. After the registration process at the gate you will start trekking toward Mandara Hut as the first where you will spend your overnight. The walk will take you about 3 to 4 hours and you will cover an altitude of 1900 meters up to 2720 meters. Along the way, you will have enough time to rest and have lunch before continue with the trek while learning about the mountain history, vegetation’s and different species of wildlife found at the park such as birds and animals.

At night you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.

This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you to read the following instructions from this point on:

Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.

Change in Elevation: Marangu Gate (1,860 m) — Mandara Hut (2,700 m)
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours
Accommodation: Mandara Hut at Mt. Kilimanjaro

After an early breakfast, you will depart from Mandara Hut and trek all the way to Horombo Hut where you will spend your second night on the Mountain. A total of 11 km will be covered during the day that will take approximately six hours with an altitude rise up to 3720 meters. Along the way you will enjoy beautiful scenery of mountain that include different landscape such as a clear view of the snowcapped peak of Kibo and Mawenzi peak, forest and animals which together they will make unforgettable experience and life time memories to cherish. During the trek you will have time to break for lunch and learn about different and fascinating plant species found along the way such giant groundsels, lobellas and many more. Late in the afternoon you will arrive at the camp in time for your dinner, relaxation and overnight.

Note: the acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Change in Elevation: Mandara Hut (2,700 m) — Horombo Hut (3,720 m) and Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — destination point en route to Kibo hut (3,920 m)
Hiking distance: 12.5 km
Hiking Time: 7 – 8 hours
Accommodation: Horombo Hut at Mt. Kilimanjaro

After breakfast you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Kibo Hut and back. After lunch you have the opportunity to walk around the surrounding area, take pictures of Mawenzi Volcano or just sleep before the upcoming trekking to Kibo Hut.

Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (4,500 m)
Hiking distance: 5 - 8 Km
Hiking Time: 3 – 4 hours
Accommodation: Horombo Hut at Mt. Kilimanjaro

On this day, right after breakfast the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trekking is not very difficult; just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.

Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 4 — 8 hours
Accommodation: Kibo Hut at Mt. Kilimanjaro

Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m), and the start trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).

Note: Don’t forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.

Change in Elevation: Kibo Hut (4,700 m) — Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) — Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
Hiking distance: 16 km
Hiking Time: 9 – 12 hours
Accommodation: Horombo Hut at Mt. Kilimanjaro

You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to Arusha Planet Lodge.

Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Marangu Gate (1,860 m)
Hiking distance: 18 km
Hiking Time: 5 – 6 hours
Accommodation: Arusha Planet Lodge

After getting some rest and refreshment at the hotel, your driver guide will take you to the airport ready for your flight back home.

NOTE: Hotel checks out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of your evening flight there is a procedural and option to extend your hotel stay for an extra fee.