- Hiking time: 8 hours
- Distance: About 11 km’s
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Today will by far be your toughest day, you will be woken just before midnight and soon head off into the cold night up a rocky path towards to the Hans Meyer Cave at 5150 metres – you may take a short rest here before continuing your ascent up to Gillman’s point at 5685 metres. Probably the most demanding section of the entire route as it is very steep and stony – go slowly and carefully here. From Gillman’s Point, you will more than likely be walking through snow for the next 2 hours, when you will finally reach the summit of Uhuru Peak at 5895 metres.
Cold and fatigue will set in quickly here and you may find it very difficult to get started again. So spend a little time to enjoy the fact that you have conquered Kilimanjaro, get the camera out and take some pictures, then it will be best that you get moving again – it’s a long way down! The first part of your descent to Kibo hut will take almost another 3 hours. After a short rest you which will be accompanied with brunch, you will begin the next part of your descent – it will take another 4 hours of hiking to get to Horombo hut. Arriving Horombo hut in the evening for dinner and spend overnight there. You will no doubt have a good sleep, feeling exhilarated and proud of your achievement.
