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This route has a moderate slope, making it less difficult to climb. It is the most popular way up Mountain Kilimanjaro, and is the only route with emergency evacuation service. Also, it is the only route with huts, having dormitory and simple dining rooms.

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing upon our arrival in Arusha, before transferring to the Oasis Lodge for the evening.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro Climb - Arusha to Mandara Hut .
Breakfast, drive from your hotel to Marangu gate, we will spend about two hours for registration, payments of fees and final parking. Start climbing through dense semi-tropical to the first hut- Mandara hut (9,000ft). Dinner and an overnight stay at Mandara hut, B.L.D.

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Climb - Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut .
Breakfast, ascend through the alpine meadow, and grassland and moorland to Horombo hut (12,000ft). Both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks can be viewed easily on the way. Dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo hut, B.L.D.

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Climb - Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut.
Breakfast, further ascending to Kibo hut (15,000ft). The landscape becomes very stony and eroded. Spectacular mountain vegetation like giant cactus, groundswell and lobelia appear on the way. Dinner and an overnight stay at Kibo hut, B.L.D.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Climb - Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak.
Wake up at midnight, and after a snack, proceed to the summit through Gilman's point (18,640ft). It is about 5-6hours and 1-2 hours from Kibo hut to Gilman's point and from Gilman's point to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft) respectively. Thus reaching the peak in the early morning of the fifth day and start descending after picture taking on the top to Horombo hut for diner and an overnight after a short break at Kibo hut, B.L.D.

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Climb - Kibo Hut to Marangu Gate - Hotel in Arusha
Breakfast, Descend from Horombo hut to Marangu gate. The waiting car will take you to our hotel in Arusha, B.L.

Alternatively
One may choose 7days/6nights, with an extra day for acclimatization at Horombo hut, which will increase your chance to reach the top.

This is the second most popular route, 26 km long, and it is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro of the beaten track. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most sceneric route. We are approaching the summit with an acclimatisation day by walking in the same heights (Barafu Camp to Karranga Valley Camp), and another day by stopping at Karranga Valley camp (we are one of few tour operators offering this). There are no mountain huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents.

For a slightly more technical climb on Kilimanjaro, one can conquer Uhuru peak from Arrow Glacier camp, but a less challenging route can be taken from Barranco hut.

The route done in six days is physically challenging for most people. The last two days (the trek from Barranco to Barafu and then the overnight trek to the summit) require mental and physical toughness, due to the high altitude and short amount of time to rest before the overnight summit attempt.

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing upon our arrival in Arusha, before transferring to the Oasis Lodge for the evening.

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Camp to Shira Camp .
Today's segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We'll overnight at Shira Camp (12,600 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
We'll draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet.

In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a col (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjari), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia.Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,950 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). This day and the following day will be your acclimatisation day.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek(12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we'll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of - and the reward for - 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).

Day 8: Kilimanjaro Climb - Mweka Camp to Park Gate, transfer to Arusha
We'll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we'll drive to Arusha.

Alternatively
One may choose 6days/5nights on Kilimanjaro, without an extra day for acclimatization at Karranga Valley.

Day 1
You arrive at your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 2
Transfer from your hotel to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Londorossi. Commence trek.Overnight at campsite in forest (9,000ft/2800m).

Day 3
From here you pass through forest and then across the grassy moorland of the Shira Plateau to reach Shira Hut. (12,500ft/3800m). Stay/Camp overnight.

Day 4
You turn eastwards and continue ascending through the dry landscape before dropping again to reach Barranco Hut (13,000ft/3900m). Stay/Camp overnight

Day 5
The path climbs steeply out of the Barranco Valley, crosses the Karanga Valley, then turns north to reach Barafu Hut (15,500ft/4600m). Stay/Camp overnight

Day 6
A long day and and early start to reach the crater rim at Stella Point in time for sunrise. Then to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft/5896m), the highest point in Africa.

Afterward descend to Mweka hut. Stay overnight

Day 7
Descend to the Mweka gate, from where you are transferred back to your hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.

Day 8
Breakfast in hotel the departure.

This route is fast gaining in popularity and is considered to be one of the easiest routes up the mountain. It is the only route starting from the north side of the mountain at Rongai a small village close to the Kenya border. The climbing conditions are drier on the northern side of the mountain and there are spectacular sweeping views over the broad flat Maasai lands. Overnights are spent camping in tents. The summit is reached via the east side of Kibo and the descent is via the Marangu route.

RONGAI ROUTE ITINERARY

Day 1
Arrive at Mountain Inn in time for an early evening pre-climb briefing on the trek, dinner and overnight.

Day 2
The climb begins at the village of Nale Moru (1950 mts) through cultivated land before entering the pine forest. Watch out for Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys in the tree tops with their white fringed 'capes' and tail. Taking 3–4 hours the first camp is on the edge of the moorland zone where the forest begins to thin out at First Cave at 8500 ft / 2600 m. Overnight at 1st Cave Camp.

Day 3
The morning walk is a steady ascent up to Second Cave at 11300 ft / 3450 m with superb views of Kibo and the eastern ice fields on the crater rim. Pushing on to reach Third Cave taking 3 to 4 hours at 1280 ft / 3800 m for overnight camp. Overnight at 3rd Cave Camp.

Extra Day
(This may not be in your itinerary). A leisurely walk up to the Saddle is a good way to improve acclimatisation by walking high but returning back to camp to sleep lower. It is also possible to spend the night at Mawenzi Tarn.

Day 4
Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut at 15000 ft / 4700 m. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent,
which begins around midnight. Overnight at Kibo Camp

Day 5
An early start for the summit on steep heavy scree to arrive at Gilman's Point at 18640 ft / 5681 m in time to see the sun rise. Those who want to reach the highest point in Africa can take the approximately three hour excursion to Uhuru Peak 19340 ft / 5896 m passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo is surprisingly fast and after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo at 12000 ft / 3700 m taking 11 to 15 hours. Overnight at Horombo Camp.

Day 6
A steady descent down through the moor land to Mandara Hut and then downward through the lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m) taking 5 to 7 hours to be met and transferred to Mountain Inn for dinner and overnight stay. Overnight at Mountain Inn.

Accommodation
Accommodation on the route is in roomy two person tents. The evening stops are referred to as huts, but most of the buildings are decrepit. They are used as shelters for the porters and for cooking. The tents are usually erected for you when you arrive, although if you want a particular position it's worth taking charge. In the mornings, it helps everyone get away early if you lend a hand with taking the tents down.

Acclimatisation
Acclimatisation is extremely important, both to let you enjoy your ascent but more importantly to avoid any serious complications. The route is planned to optimise the height gain, but you may still get a headache or feel nauseous. There are two important preventative measures: to drink copiously, even when it is really difficult, and to walk very slowly, avoiding as far as possible increased heart and breathing rates.

A drug is available, Diamox, from your GP which is well proven to help with acclimatisation. This is taken as tablets for a few days before and then during your ascent. It is safe and has no serious side effects. It is important to remember that one possible effect of altitude is light-headedness and odd behaviour, which can lead to foolish decisions. The danger here is of someone who is not well insisting on continuing. Watch each other closely.

Other details
Food and kitchen equipment will be carried by the porters and cooked by an experienced cook. It will be plentiful and wholesome, but may be limited by the circumstances. Your own supply of chocolate and high energy snacks is a good idea.

Water is available at several points and should be purified before drinking. All water in camp will be boiled and some provided for drinking the next day. A comforting tip is to fill your bottle in the evening with boiled water for the next day, and to use it as a hot water bottle overnight. Check with your guide where the water points are.

Toilets are available at the huts but not the camps. Some camps have several and so it's worth checking for the cleanest. If you are caught short during the walk, please find a spot as far as possible from the trail and any water. Bury your faeces and paper. It is often easiest to move a large rock and use the indent as a hole. Mark your spot by balancing a couple of stones.

Mount Meru
If you enjoy mountains and would like extra acclimatisation, why not consider an ascent of Mount Meru (14,800 feet) before going to Kili. The mountains are adjacent and the two trips complement each other.