6 Days 5 Nights - Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climb

Day 1 : Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut -2740m- 5-7 Km, 4-5 Hours -Montane Forest

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. 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 Colubus monkeys.

Day 2 : Mandara To Horombo Hut-3700m-11 Km, 6-8 Hours-Heath Land

After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest 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 groundsels. You will start to feel the effects of the altitude. (Here, an extra day for acclimatization is recommended).

Day 3 : The Horombo Huts At +/- 3720mMawenzi Hut At +/- 4600m-Alpine Desert

After breakfast start your hike up to the Mawenzi Hut.  Just outside the Hut area you will find a split in the road.  For today you will go right and pass the Zebra rock, one of the many land marks found in the Kilimanjaro National Park.  This day must be used to walk high and sleep low (the best way to acclimatize).  Although this day can be excluded from your itinerary, it is highly recommended to increase your chance of reaching Uhuru Peak, after reaching the Mawenzi Hut, return to Horombo Hut for dinner and rest.

Day 4 : Horombo To Kibo Camp-3700m To 4700m-10 Km, 6-7 Hours-Alpine Desert

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 heath land but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

Day 5 : To Summit And Horombo-4700m To 5895m (And Down To 3700m) – 4 Km Up / 14 Km Down10-15 Hours-Alpine Desert

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim at 18640 ft / 5861 m (4-7 hours). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa: 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). Unbelievable views at every turn get your picture taken at the summit to show your friends.

From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment for dinner and a tired but happy overnight (1-2 hours). This beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. “Pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Day 6 : Horombo To Moshi -3700m To 1700m-18km, 5-7 Hours

After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m / 6004 ft). 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 meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your Hotel in Moshi. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!

End Of The Trek