Gilman’s Point, at an altitude of 5756 meters above sea level, is one of the three points on the Mount Kilimanjaro summit and is located next to Uhuru Peak and Stella Point. And although Gilman’s Point is roughly at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is still about one or two hours to get to Uhuru Peak, and hikers who make it to Gilman are given the Kilimanjaro certificate and can proudly say that they made it to the top of the highest mountain on the African continent.
Gilman’s Point is found on the eastern edge of the crater rim of Kibo, located in the Arctic zone where there is no plant or animal life, just rocks, snow, and ice formed due to the heavy moisture concentration at night.
Gilman’s Point is what we can refer to as the last stop before getting to Uhuru Peak. Most hikers get to Gilman’s Point right at sunrise and get to watch the most spectacular sunrise. Some of the things that hikers get to do when they are at Gilman’s Point are to relax and rest a bit after the physically challenging hike from the huts, take as many photos as you can while resting, and also enjoy the sunrise before proceeding to the Peak. However, if you fail to continue to Uhuru Peak, you can start your descent, and the park authority will still give you a certificate for hiking this far.
Kilimanjaro routes meeting at Gilman’s Point
You can get to Gilman’s Point from different directions on the mountain. Hikers using the Northern Circuit Route, Marangu, and Rongai routes are the only ones that can use Gilman’s Point at night, and this is usually on either the second or third last day of the hike. The ascent to Uhuru Peak via Gilman’s Point starts from the Kibo Huts at around midnight, and this is considered to be one of the most challenging journeys on Mount Kilimanjaro. Gilman’s Point has a great view of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo and the Craters. The best way to know that you are at Gilman is by the large signpost that was put up by the park authorities.
It is important to note that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, including getting to Gilman’s Point, needs a lot of preparation to reduce or try to reduce the effects of altitude sickness, especially if you are planning on getting to Uhuru Peak. Get a reputable tour operator to ensure that you are safe when climbing and have a successful climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.