5 days Marangu Route Itinerary

DAY 1: KILIMANJARO NATIONAL PARK GATE TO MANDARA HUT

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.

• 5,500 ft / 1,700 m to 9,000 ft / 2,740 m
• 7 km
• 4-5 hours
• Montane Forest
• Meals: L, D
• Budget Lodging: Mandara Hut

DAY 2: MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT

You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

• 9,000 ft / 2,700 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m
• 11 km
• 6-8 hours
• Heathland
• Meals: B, L, D
• Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

DAY 3 : HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

• 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 15,400 ft / 4,700 m
• 10 km
• 6-8 hours
• Alpine Desert
• Meals: B, L, D
• Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut

DAY 4 : KIBO HUT TO SUMMIT THEN HOROMBO HUT

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!

• 15,400 ft / 4,700 m to 19,300 ft / 5,895 m
• 19,300 ft / 5,895 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m
• 4 km up / 14 km down
• 10-15 hours
• Alpine Desert
• Meals: B, L, D
• Budget Lodging: Horombo Camp

DAY 5 : HOROMBO HUT TO MOSHI

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!

• 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 5,500 ft / 1,700 m
• 18km
• 5-7 hours
• Meals: B

Items included:

• Overnight stays in mountain Huts
• Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
• All Park fees
• Rescue fees
• All meals while on the Mountain
• Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
• Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
• Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
• Clean, purified drinking water
• Crisis management and safety procedures
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters

Items not included:

• Airport transfers
• Accommodation in Arusha
• Tanzania Visa
• Gratuity
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Meals not listed above
• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)