6-day adventure on the Kilimanjaro Marangu route.

Trip Description

Accomodation

Stay program

• day 1

  Marangu Gate - Mandara Camp

  Hiking duration: 3-4 hours Distance: About 12 kilometers Habitat: montane forest After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up in Arusha (1400 m) and driven to the Marangu gate (1980 m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack personal belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (Tanapa). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this part of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, keep an eye out for wildlife, including colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of climbing, you will reach the Mandara hut (2700 m). Each hut has 6 to 8 bunks (60 beds in total) with solar lighting. Next to the central hut, there are flush toilets. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack and then dinner for the clients. At night, mountain temperatures can drop to freezing, so be prepared.

• day 2

  From Mandara camp to Horombo camp

  Hiking duration: 6 hours Distance: About 15 kilometers Habitat: Moorland After breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heathland. Hikers will pass the Maundi crater and can climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo crater. In the heathland, you will spot exotic plants, including the giant lobelia and the groundsels. After 6 hours of walking, you will reach the Horombo Hut (3720 m). Horombo Hut can accommodate 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. As on the first night, the porters will prepare drinking water and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks, then dinner prepared by our chef. Prepare for a cold night, as temperatures drop below freezing at this location. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

• day 3

  From Horombo camp to the acclimatization day

  At Horombo hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. You will have the opportunity to take a day hike to Mawenzi hut (4600 m) to acclimatize, accompanied by your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be served at the hut, while lunch will either be packed or served at the hut, depending on your preference for the day.

• day 4

  From Horombo camp to Kibo camp

  Duration of the hike: 6 hours Distance: About 15 kilometers Habitat: alpine desert After an early breakfast, you will continue your ascent in the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails leading to Kibo Hut (4700 m). The upper route (located to the right at the fork) is the same as the one used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left at the fork) is the most popular because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour less). Kibo Hut is located in the "Saddle," which refers to the area between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so that hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same evening. Your guide will explain in detail how to prepare for summit night. Fall asleep at 7 p.m.! Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.

• day 5

  Summit attempt

  Kibo Hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo Hut (3720m) Hiking duration: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo Distance: 6 km ascent and 21 km descent Your guide will welcome you around 11:30 pm for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You will continue your ascent to Gillman's Point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive feat, as the trail is steep and rocky at high altitude. From there, you will generally find a snowy trail up to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is a once-in-a-lifetime achievement! You can spend a little time at the summit to take photos and drink tea before starting the descent to Barafu. The hike to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours. At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot meal in the sun. After eating, you will continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have dinner at the hut after a busy day.

• day 6

  Horombo Camp - Marangu Gate

  Hiking duration: 6 hours Distance: About 27 kilometers After a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will organize a big party filled with dancing and singing. It is here, on the mountain, that you will present your thanks to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After the celebration, you will descend for 6 hours to the Marangu gate (1980 m). The national park requires all hikers to sign their name to receive a certificate of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman's Point (5681 m) receive green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895 m) receive gold certificates. After receiving the certificates, you will return to Arusha for long-awaited showers and further celebrations. Dinner and overnight in Arusha City. Thank you for hiking Kilimanjaro with us. Hikers will never regret having done their best to reach the summit.