Mount Kilimanjaro: 5-Day Marangu Route Trekking Adventure

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Moshi - Marangu gate (1700m) – Mandara Hut 2740m – (5,500ft to 9,000ft)⌄

   After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Marangu village and proceed to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register at Kilimanjaro National Park Authority offices, and commence the climb. Walkthrough the rainforest to the Mandara hut located at 9,000 ft / 2,740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania.

   Meals: Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Accommodation in Mountain huts

2. 2Mandara Hut (2,740m) – Horombo Hut (3700m) – (9,000ft to 12,100ft)⌄

   In the morning around 8:30 a.m after breakfast starting trekking to Horombo hut. After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo hut. The view of the Kibo summit and Mawenzi are both stunning and shinning in clear days. In most cases, giant lobelias and groundsels are found on your way. Horombo hut is a point where most of the climbers use it for acclimatization whereby they spend an extra day. Spending an extra day gives a wide change for the successful summit of the roof of Africa.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Accommodation in Mountain huts

3. 3Horombo Hut (3700m) – Kibo Hut (4700m) – (12,100ft to 15,400ft)⌄

   In the morning after breakfast, the trek will take us to the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heartland but then disappears into a desert-like structure. At Kibo, you will have your dinner, take a nap and at the middle of the night around 23:30 hour prepare for the summit climb

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Accommodation in Mountain huts

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

   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 five-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 two-hour hike 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 two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Accommodation in Mountain huts

5. 5Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) - Moshi⌄

   The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch