It will take you 45 minutes drive to reach Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Enter Kilimanjaro National Park gates and complete your registration. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings with views of the heather vegetation  zone and views of Mawenzi on clear days. Hike though rainforest from the park gate to Mandara about 3-4 hours.

At about 01:30 pm you will stop half way for lunch. Descend through the forest trail back to the park gates. After short tour at the hut and start coming down to Marangu gate and you may reach at the gate around 04:45 pm. Return Moshi and will arrive in the late evening around 06:50 Pm, overnight at Hotel in Moshi.