Kilimanjaro Climbing Marangu Route

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport:

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by one of our guides and transfer you to the Hotel in Arusha for an overnight stay. Located below Mount Meru, the city is close to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.

• Accommodation: Arusha.
• Meals: Bed&Breakfast

Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut

• Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
• Distance: 8km/5mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
• Distance: 12km/7.5mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Heathland
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the affects of the altitude.

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

• Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
• Distance: 9km/5.5mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
• Down to 3700m/12,200ft
• Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi

• Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
• Distance: 20km/12.5mi
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha (about 1 hour).

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport:

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be met by one of our guides and transfer you to the Hotel in Arusha for an overnight stay. Located below Mount Meru, the city is close to the Serengeti National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara National Park, Olduvai Gorge, Tarangire National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru.

• Accommodation: Arusha.
• Meals: Bed&Breakfast

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

• Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The hiking trail begins by ascending a beautiful, tropical rain forest. At the upper edge of the forest line, we have the opportunity to see blue monkeys. The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

• Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
• Distance: 12 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Heath

We start the day continuing through the forest until the trail opens into high moorland. We may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks – two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge

• Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,400 ft
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
• Habitat: Heath

Mawenzi Ridge to Horombo Hut

• Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft to 12,205
• Distance: 5 km
• Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
• Habitat: Heath

This is an extra day meant for acclimatization and can be spent day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments exploring the area we head back to Horombo Hut.

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

• Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp, Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak

• Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 6 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

• Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
• Distance: 16 km
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Heath

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

• Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
• Distance: 20 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi/arusha.