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Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro

Overview

Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain and the highest free-standing mountain in the world at 5,895m (19,341ft). The Marangu Route is the most popular and also one of the most scenic routes. It is the only route with an established hut system so trekkers have the added luxury of hut accommodation and dining.

Your trip starts when we pick you up from the airport at Kilimanjaro from where we will take you to the hotel in Moshi for the night. You will be introduced to your mountain guide and we will ensure you have all the necessary gear for the climb. The next morning it’s about an hour drive to the park gate where you will begin the trek. The first day of trekking is about 4 hours through the beautiful rainforest at the base of Kilimanjaro to the huts at Mandara (2,743 m, 8,999 ft). The rain forest thins out and you get your first views of Kilimanjaro on the second day as you hike to the Horombo Hut (3700 m/12140 ft) which is about a 5 hour hike. The third day of trekking takes you through a barren volcanic landscape to the hut at Kibo and offers great views of the surrounding valleys and Mawenzi Peak an extinct volcanic cone. Arriving at Kibo Hut (4700 m/15420 ft) you will be given the afternoon and evening to rest and refuel. Your guide will wake you at 11pm and by midnight you will have started the ascent to the summit.

Itinerary

Day 1: Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi.

 

Pick up from Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Meet your guide and review your equipment in the evening in preparation for the trek the following day.

Day 2:  Marangu gate to mandara hunt:

Altitude: (2700m/8860 ft) Walking Distance: 8kms/5miles (4-5 hours)

After breakfast and a short tour briefing from the guide, we will depart to Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (it is a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the Marangu Gate). Upon registering with park authorities, our climb will officially commence with a four-hour walk to the Mandara encampment. We will pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. We will spend the night at Mandara Hut (2,750m). Rooms in the huts are on quad sharing and bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 3: mandara hut to horombo hut:

Altitude: (3700 m/12140 ft) Walking Distance: 12 km/7.2 miles (5-7 hours)

Today we will continue our ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3,000m (approximately a six-hour walk). Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. We will spend the night at Horombo Hut (3,720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 4: Horombo hunt kibo hut:

Altitude: (4700 m/15420 ft) Walking Distance: 9.5 km/5.7 miles (5-7 hours)

Our trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4,000m) and, once we cross the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. We will reach Kibo hut around 1pm and the rest of the day will be given to rest and refuel before the summit push. Your guide will wake you at 11pm so you can get your gear ready and prepare for the summit push which will start at midnight.

Day 5: Uhuru peak to horombo hut:

Altitude: (5895 m/19340 ft) Walking Distance: 5.5 km/3.5 miles ascent + 15 km/9.5 miles descent (10-16 hours)

Shortly after midnight, we will commence our climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman’s Point (5,861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen and an early start for the six-hour hike improves our chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman’s Point, it is a further two-hour round trip along the crater’s edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From the summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we will spend our last night on the mountain.

Day 6: mandara hunt to Moshi:

Altitude: (3700 m/12140 ft) Walking Distance: 20 kms/12 miles (5-7 hours)

Today’s descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. From here, you will be transferred to your hotel in Moshi. You will enjoy a farewell dinner with your guides.

Day 7: Departure:

 

After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town or Kilimanjaro airport as per your requirement.

Inclusives & Exclusives

Rates Includes:
  • All Taxes / VAT
  • Park Fees
  • Airport Transfer
  • Accommodation as Mentioned in Itinerary
  • 1-3 Meals a day Mentioned in Itinerary
  • Bottled Water (1.5 Liter per person per day)
  • Activities as mentiioned in tour description
  • Transportation as mentioned, Toyota Land Cruiser with pop-up roof and Toyota Noah minivan for airport transfer
  • A professional guide / driver
  • International Flights
  • Visa Fees
  • Travel Insurance
  • Drinks (Soda, Alcohol)
  • Tips
  • Vaccination
  • Laundry
  • Other Personal Items