6 Days 5 Nights Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate, Hike to Mandara Hut (LD)
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, then we do register, and then start the climb. Walkthrough the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A excursion trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, looking at towering Eucalyptus trees, birds singing, and Colobus monkeys jumping from brunches to brunches would make your heart filled with joy.
— Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
— Distance: 8km/5mi
— Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
— Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mandara Hut
Day 2: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (BLD)
We leave the glades of the rainforest and follow a gradually ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi peak and the summit of Kibo are mervelous. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. From here we may start to feel the effects of the altitude.
— Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
— Distance: 12km/7.5mi
— Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
— Habitat: Heathland
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut
Day 3: Rest Day at Horombo Hut (BLD)
Rest day at Horombo Hut after a two-day would be great but the climb to Mawenzi Peak would be great but its optional.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut
Day 4: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (BLD)
As we continue to climb, we then pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation starts with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest and prepare for the summit climb.
— Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
— Distance: 9km/5.5mi
— Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
— Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut
Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut (BLD)
Very early in the morning at around 4 am or earlier commences the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). As we continue, we now ascend to the Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa also known as the roof of Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn which may also be an amazing place for you to take a picture at the summit to show your family and friends. Then from here, we descend, stopping for lunch and a little bit of rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. From here this climb is done in the dark and it requires flashlights or headlamps. It will be very cold until we start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the climb with many switchbacks. Going slowly “twende pole pole” and an optimistic boldness will get you there!
–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 included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp
Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Moshi or Arusha (B)
After an early breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue the descend through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet, muddy sometimes slippery. Gaiters and climbing poles will help greatly. A vehicle will meet us at Marangu village to drive us back to your Moshi town or Arusha. It is time for a huge celebration for reaching the roof of Africa!
— Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
— Distance: 20km/12.5mi
— Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
— Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast
