Marangu Route – 6 days Kilimanjaro Hiking trip

DAY 1: ARUSHA/MOSHI - MARANGU GATE - MANDARA

( Marangu Route – 6 days Kilimanjaro Hiking trip )

You will be picked up from the hotel and a drive to Marangu gate follow as you drive towards the gate you will be enjoying excellent views of the mountain, with your team of guides and porters you will then proceed to check in the park at the gate. You will get in the rain forest which is the first zone of the mountain. Whilst in the forest you could see bright coloured birds, colobus monkeys and other species of monkey as well as mosses, lichens and flowers and delicate orchids. If the skies are clear you can see the town of Moshi lying at the edge of the plain further down. You will continue ascending in this 4-5 hours through the areas of coffee plantation and thick rainforest to Mandara Hut for Dinner and overnight.

Altitude: 1,700 m to 2,740 m

Distance covered: 7km

Time to be used: 4-5 hours

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Mandara Hut

DAY 2: MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT

( Marangu Route – 6 days Kilimanjaro Hiking trip )

We will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on to the open moorlands then the Horombo encampment. We will witness the amazing views of Kibo and Mawenzi. As we cross the Alpine Zone of the mountain we will see giant lobelias and grounsels. Here, you are expected to begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Altitude: 2,700 m to 3,700 m

Distance Covered: 11km

Time to be used: 6-8 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Horombo Hut

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DAY 3: HOROMBO HUT

( Marangu Route – 6 days Kilimanjaro Hiking trip )

Day three is a day to acclimatize. It is highly recommended to hike all the way to Mawenzi Hut so that you allow your body to acclimatize. This hiking increases your chances to reach the Uhuru Peak. With this comes a reward which is the magnificent views of Kibo. Afterwards, you are to return back to Horombo for a late lunch. You are to spend the afternoon and evening at Horombo.

Altitude: 3,700 m to 4,400 m

Distance Covered: 5km

Time to be used: 2 - 3 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Horombo Hut

DAY 4 : HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT

( Marangu Route – 6 days Kilimanjaro Hiking trip )

The scenery turn out to be more rocky and rough as you leave behind kibo ,everlasting flower and other bizarre alpine plants Massive groundsels and lobelias appear in the sparse moorland. The trail up to Kibo will take between five and seven hours. Skirting Mawenzi Peak ass you pass the Last Water point then you cross a stark, almost lunar landscape to the Saddle which is a wide tundra desert between the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Here you will start getting fantastic views of the upper ranges of the mountain before arriving at Kibo Hut (4,705m), a dry-stone-walled hut with dorms and limited facilities. Tonight you prepare for tomorrow’s final assault – THE SUMMIT – re-packing to leave any non-essential items with the porters; you need to summon all your energy to get to the summit so there’s absolutely no point in carrying anything you don’t need! An early night is imperative as you must make a midnight start in order to reach the summit in the morning before the cloud cover settles, and then have time to get back down to the hut. Overnight stay at Kibo Hut for 1 night (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Altitude: 3,700 m to 4,730 m

Altitude: 4,730 m to 5,895 m

Distance Covered: 4 km up / 14 km down

Time to be used: 7 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Accommodation: Kibo Hut

DAY 5: KIBO HUT TO SUMMIT THEN HOROMBO HUT

( Marangu Route – 6 days Kilimanjaro Hiking trip )

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. 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.

The 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. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Altitude: 3,700 m to 1,700 m

Distance Covered: 18km km down

Time to be used: 5 - 7 hrs

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

DAY 6: HOROMBO HUT TO MOSHI

( Marangu Route – 6 days Kilimanjaro Hiking trip )

The pace quickens as you continue your triumphant way back down across alpine meadow and past Mandara Hut through the rainforest to Marangu Gate where you board the vehicle for the journey back to Moshi/Arusha.

Altitude: 3,700 m to 1,700 m

Distance Covered: 20.8km km

Time to be used: 8 hrs

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch