- Kilimanjaro Day 1 – Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
- Kilimanjaro Day 2 – Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- Kilimanjaro Day 3 – Horombo Hut to Kibo hut
- Kilimanjaro Day 4 – Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Kilimanjaro Descent – Uhuru Peak to Marangu gate
Investment in travel is an investment in yourself.Matthew Karsten
Kilimanjaro Day 4 – Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Day number: 4
- Starting Point: Kibo Hut
- Target Point: Uhuru Peak
- Altitude: 5895m
- ETA: 7 hours
- Veg Zone: Ice cap
We were awakened at 23:00 and were asked to gear up. Please read my post for what to pack and get for a Kili Hike – (Click here). Multiple layers of thermals, headlamps, thermal socks, gloves etc. and a lot of will power and we were all set.
With four layers of clothing, a dizzy head and high spirits we began our walk for the final ascent. It was pitch dark except for the headlamp ahead of us – One guide at the front and one at the back, we marched on in the darkness. Our guides continually reminded us to go “Pole, Pole” (slowly slowly). It was quite sandy to begin with, we ascended up a Zig Zag path and later turned rocky with needing to climb some huge boulders. This was the most challenging part of the trek as the height, altitude, sleep deprivation and lack of Oxygen was making it extremely hard.
This continued for the next five to six hours until we reached Gilman Point (5,681 m). A quick rest and a snack and we continued our walk to the Uhuru peak along the craters rim. The going was real hard now and we finally reached Stella point and could see the Uhuru peak at a distance.
Prepare well about what you need to take and wear while hiking Kilimanjaro – Read more.
We had given in our everything and were burned out by now – this is where your mental strength comes into play. All that you know about – Mind over body. We marched on the snow covered rim slowly – one step at a time. The guides motivated and pushed us and finally we were at the Uhuru Peak at 5895m – the highest point in Africa to take in the morning rays of sunshine. Finally we were on Kilimanjaro Summit.
Total exhilaration and satisfaction – I was completely overwhelmed and it got the best of me. The feeling is not something which I can describe in words – something which I had never ever experienced in my life. This feeling surpasses everything. We were on top of the world’s highest free standing mountain – months of planning, preparation and finally we had done it. A lot of pictures were taken to capture this moment with the iconic board atop Uhuru.
The surrounding mesmerised us – Volcanic crater on one side and the iced glaciers on the other and you feel you are on top of the world, up and above the clouds. The stay at Uhuru is time bound as its not advisable to stay for long at this altitude – so 15-20 mins and then we started making our way back with our heads held high as we knew we had done the hardest bit.
View our Kilimanjaro Hike Video here –
Read our Day 4,5 Descend here – Click here
Also read our successful Kilimanjaro Summit journey here – Click here.
If you have any questions/feedback, please leave a comment with your email id and I’ll get back to you at the earliest.
This is Aldrin and my partner Amoli. We bring you "Earths Pilgrim" - a unique insight into our travel escapades while leaving life in a cubicle. If you are looking for some inspiration to break the shackles of a regular life, then you are the right place. Read more about us- Click here.
Thanks for the read Aldrin! Great thing you wrote your climb diary-style. This makes it far more authentic to read & actually helps me imagine the whole trip. Since I’m planning for a 3-4 week-trip to Tanzania (Kilimanjaro climb/Safari/Scuba diving at coast) this here goes straight into my planning bookmarks 🙂
Great to know that you found this helpful… Good luck with the Hike..
Wow! What an experience! I would love to hike Kilimanjaro, but I don’t think I’m fit enough! Well done for reaching the peak guys. Your pics are amazing – the one with the bums is so funny! ; )
Thanks.. It was really a hard but amazing experience…
What an adventure! I definitely want to do this one day soon!
Yeahh its a great adventure.. hope u get to do it soon
Climbing the Kilimanjaro must be breathtaking, it is definitely on my bucket list! Thanks for sharing:)
I hope you make it someday soon
Awesome pictures! I loved Tanzania! I didn’t get to reach the peak though! Props to you!
Thanks Jordan…
Amazing pics , great read . Thanks for the tips
Thanks Jeanelle
Wow what a feeling that must have been to reach the top! Well done! Such a fantastic achievement, bet it was all worth it now when you look back
Yeah Kelly.. its was truly all worth it.. Thanks a lot
Great account of your hike and congratulations on reaching the summit. Climbing Kilimanjaro is on my bucket list. It looks like such a rewarding (albeit hard) experience 🙂
Thanks a ton. It truly is a enriching experience after a very very hard and gruelling journey..
Heh, showing your pennis to the icy mountain. Is it some sort of transition there? 😀 Not taht I am complaining, just curious…
Ha Ha.. well it wasnt me so not sure what sort of ‘Transition’ you achieve… lol.. but all in good fun…
Wow! I would love to go and summit it, but I am not sure I am fit enough. I loved Tanzania though, did you spend much time there?
Few months of training and you should b ready… Yeahhh we did spend a lot of time in Serengeti and Ngorongoro gazing at the wildlife. And then eventually flew to the sandy beaches of Zanzibar to unwind… You can read more about our journey here – http://earthspilgrim.com/category/my-escapades/africa/tanzania/
Climb Mt.Kilimanjaro is in my bucket list! Looks amazing and challenging! Loved your video, it really gives you a feeling of what’s like to hike to the top!!!
Yeahhh its truly amazing.. A challenge worth taking…
I’ll be climbing this summer, so reading this got me even more excited – thanks for sharing!!
Thats really great… Good Luck and do share your journey…
Very impressive achievement! I see so many people climbing the Kilimanjaro but I don’t think I could!
Thanks Claire.. Couple of months of training and you should be ready 🙂
Amazing hike. Mount Kilimanjaro is on my list. Hope to conquer this soon. Congratulations to you guys for this awesome experience. Photographs are spectacular.
Its truly spectacular…. You should do it..
I great read. I did the climb in February 1972, as a 22 year old. Three layers, no gloves and ‘slept’ in a cave as Kibo was full. Have just been reviewing my diary. Great memories
Woww.. That must have been an awesome experience.. True great memories