Marangu Route (6 days)

Itinerary

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation Gain: 915 meters, 3,000 feet

Leave Arusha at 8am for Marangu Gate. The drive to Marangu takes about 4 hours, and you will meet our guides, cooks and porters when arriving at the gate. After completing gate registration, begin your Kilimanjaro trek.

Walk along a narrow trail through the Kilimanjaro rainforest for most of the hike. Eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni, day one's halfway point. After lunch continue walking through the rainforest until reaching Mandara Hut. Relax for the rest of the day or take a short walk to Maundi Crater. The views to the east over Taveta and to the northwest to Mawenzi Peak are stunning on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort.

The A-frame Mandara Huts can accommodate up to seventy people and consist of several sleeping huts and a dining area. All of Marangu's huts have beds with mattresses.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft)

Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation Gain: 977 meters, 3,200 feet

After breakfast, leave Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro's forests for Horombo Hut. Most of this day’s hike will be through Kilimanjaro's moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants. Eat a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut. If the weather is clear, enjoy beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at Horombo Hut at around 3pm and relax for the rest of the afternoon.

Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered the best on Kilimanjaro. The small, A-frame buildings can accommodate up to eight people each and provide lodging for hikers ascending, descending and acclimatizing. In total, Horombo accommodates up to one hundred hikers and many more porters, cooks and guides.
Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)


Day 3: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Mawenzi Hut (4,600m/15,100ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation Gain and Loss: 880 meters, 2,900 feet

During this acclimatization day we suggest hiking all the way to Mawenzi Hut to best adapt to the altitude. The hike will increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, and also reward you with magnificent views of Kibo. Return to Horombo for a late lunch. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at Horombo.
Duration: 10 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

Day 4: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters, 3,380 feet

Leave Horombo Hut after breakfast to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro's upper altitudes. After hiking for about an hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream. After Maua, the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill. After lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro's Saddle. Although the environment on the way to Kibo is a bleak desert with little vegetation, you will enjoy stunning views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Reach Kibo Hut around 3pm to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.

Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, 3,760 feet

Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters, 7,140 feet

Around midnight, awake for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The hike begins with a demanding 5-hour hike to Gillman's Point on the crater rim. Although this is considered to be the easiest of the three crater ascent paths, it is still extremely difficult. The first major rest stop, William's Point, lies at 5000 meters and is approximately a 2-hour hike from Kibo Hut. Continue on for thirty minutes before beginning the rocky switchbacks that will continue to Gillman's Point (5,681 meters).

The hike from Gilman's to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately 2 hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.

While descending the summit you can take in the magnificent views you missed on the way up. Stop for a short break and snacks at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut. Reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon and enjoy your last night on the mountain.
Duration: 14 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: overnight at Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)


Day 6: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft)

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters, 6,295 feet

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent as the trail can be slippery. We will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to Arusha.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight at Arusha according to your itinerary.