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6 Days Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is the oldest on Kilimanjaro and is also one of the most popular – mainly because it is the only route on the mountain that has huts provided for hikers. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Typically tour operators provide mattresses and pillows for climbers (sleeping bags, however, need to be brought separately by trekkers).
The Marangu route can be completed in 5 days; however, it is recommended that climbers take an extra day to acclimatize at Horombo Hut. The main setback on the Marangu Route is that the ascent is exactly the same as the descent and therefore there is not as much variety in settings compared to other routes. It also means that the route can get very crowded. The Marangu Route success rate also tends to be low as it is usually chosen by inexperienced and unprepared trekkers who are misled to believe it is the easiest route.
Day 1: Pickup to Airport
You will be picked up from the airport. From there you will go to the hotel in Moshi for an orientation on your trek. Your guides will be there to provide you with details on your trek and will also check your trekking gear.
Dinner and overnight at PANAMA GARDEN RESORT or a similar hotel in Moshi
Panama Garden Resort - Moshi
Day 2: Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft)
Leave Moshi at 8 am for Marangu Gate. After completing gate registration, begin your Kilimanjaro trek. Walk along a narrow trail through the rainforest of Kilimanjaro for most of the hike. Eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni, day one's halfway point. After lunch continues walking through the rainforest until reaching Mandara Hut. Relax for the rest of the day or take a short walk to Maundi Crater. The views to the east over Taveta and to the northwest of Mawenzi Peak are stunning on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort.
The A-frame Mandara Huts can accommodate up to seventy people and consist of several sleeping huts and a dining area. All of Marangu's huts have beds with mattresses.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Mandara Hut
Day 3: Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)
After breakfast, leave Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro's forests for Horombo Hut. Most of the day's hike will be through Kilimanjaro's moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants. Eat a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut. If the weather is clear, enjoy beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
Arrive at Horombo Hut at around 3 pm and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered to be the nicest on Kilimanjaro. The small, A-frame buildings can accommodate up to eight people each and provide lodging for hikers ascending, descending, and acclimatizing. Horombo can accommodate up to one hundred hikers and many more porters, cooks, and guides.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Mawenzi Hut (4,600m/15,100ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)
Day three is an acclimatization day. We suggest hiking all the way to Mawenzi Hut to allow for maximum acclimatization. The hike will increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, and also reward you with magnificent views of Kibo. Return to Horombo for a late lunch. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at Horombo.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Horombo Hut
Day 5: Leave Horombo Hut
After breakfast hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro's upper altitudes. After hiking for about an hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream. After Maua, the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill. After lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro's Saddle. Although the environment on the way to Kibo is a bleak desert with little vegetation, you will see many stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Reach Kibo Hut around 3pm to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Kibo Hut
Day 6: Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)
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 to 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. On the way down from the summit, you will see all of the magnificent views you could not see on the way up. Stop for a short break and snacks at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut. Reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon and enjoy your last night on the mountain.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Horombo Hut
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft)
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro's cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to Moshi for a Hot shower and Champaigne/Kilimanjaro Beer Celebrations.
Dinner and overnight at PANAMA GARDEN RESORT or a similar hotel in Moshi
Panama Garden Resort - Moshi
Includes
Private transport from the hotel to the Park s gate (starting point for the climb), and transport back to the hotel after the climb
- All National Park entry fees
- 2 night's hotel the night before and the night after the climb, with breakfast included
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
- Qualified medical guides
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
- Salaries for Guides, cook and porters.
- Rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Park rescue team fees)
- Government taxes
- Pickup and drop off to Airport
- Hut fees [ Marangu route
- Friendly and competent Trained Mountain Guides, assistant guides, porters and professional cooks.
- 3 full fresh meals daily. We provide fresh food on the mountain in plentiful and well prepared by skilled professional cooks(we also consider your choice of food that you would prefer -Vegetarian and Non Vegetarian). Menu especially designed for clim
- Hot drinks on the mountain and Hot water for washing will be provide everyday on the mountain
- Supplementary Portable Oxygen and Complete First Aid Kit (used in case of emergency only)
- Pulse oxy-meter carried by all chief guides
- 3-4 liters of mineral/treated water (per Climber) provided daily during the climb
Excludes
Items of a personal nature
- Tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$300 to US$ 350 per hiker - depending on number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen)
- Personal Hiking/Trekking gears (Some Gears are available for Rent)
- Snacks, personal medicine
- Meals, drinks and snacks not specified in hotel
- Visa
- International and domestic flights
