AVAILABILITY: Best months to climb are Dec-March and Sept-Oct, the warmest and driest months. The next best months are June-August. July-Sept are the busiest months.

ACCOMMODATIONS: Hut; campsite or lodge

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The Marangu is the least difficult route to the Kilimanjaro summit, but it is still strenuous. It is advised to take be well organized and take all recommended safety measures. All of the camps on this route sell goods such as chocolates, beer, soft drinks and mineral water, and they all have radio contact to the park office. This route can also be done in 5 days if you do not need to acclimatize at the Horombo hut.

 

ITINERARY

• DAY 1: Transfer from your airport to Arusha/Moshi. Dinner and overnight at your campsite or lodge.

• DAY 2: Hiking approximately 7.5 miles in 5 hours through montane forest. You will start your journey after breakfast. Your driver will transport you to the village of Marangu. This route will put you at Machame gate (6,496 ft) where you should sign in at the Park Office. Porters will load all necessary packs with water, food, cooking gas, and the other equipment. You should carry some drinking water, your lunch pack and some extra clothing for the day as the porters will most likely hike ahead of you. On your path through this montane forest, you will pass a small stream and two waterfalls. You will walk about 1 ½ hours to reach the Kisamboni picnic area for lunch. You will take another 1 ½ hours to reach the Mandara hut (8858 ft). The vegetation at this campsite changes to the low alpine zone. In this vegetation zone, you will see the first heathers as well as lichen on trees and shrubs. The Mandara hut, where you will have dinner and overnight, lies in a forest clearing. The camp consists of wooden A-framed huts, each with 6-8 sleeping bunks. The campsite has drinking water from an above spring and flushing toilets. Take a walk to the Maundi crater where you can spot blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys.

• DAY 3: Hiking approximately 9.3 miles in 6 hours through moorland. Your second day of hiking will begin with a light breakfast before entering moorland vegetation zone, where you will see the heather as the dominating plant. If weather conditions are good, you will have great views of Mawenzi and Kibo. Take a short stop for lunch and rest. You should eat well and drink enough water as today will cover a great distance and altitude gain. From here you’ll need about 1 ½ hours to reach Horombo hut (12,204 ft) where you will have hot washing water, an evening meal and beds to sleep in. The nights at this campsite tend to be very cold.

• DAY 4: Today is an optional acclimatization day. Rest and relax with other climbers and take short guided treks around the area.

• DAY 5: Hiking approximately 9.3 miles in 6 hours through alpine desert. After breakfast, decide on one of two ways to reach the Saddle (the area between Mawenzi and Kibo). The upper route is very stony and eroded. The lower route is recommended because it is easier and it passes near the “Last Water Point” (13,780 ft) of this route. We recommend you fill your water bottles with enough drinking water as it’s the last watering possibility before reaching Horombo hut again, unless you buy mineral water or soft drinks at Kibo hut. You may also take a break at “Last Water Point” in the picnic area for lunch. After two hours, you will reach Kibo hut (15,420 ft), located in the barren alpine desert. The only plants here are some hardy grasses and everlasting flowers. Kibo hut consists of stone build block house with 60 bunk beds and platform toilets.

• DAY 6: Hiking approximately 3.7 mile ascent and 13 miles descent for 8 hours on rocky, ice-capped summit. You’ll make the final part of your journey in the night, so be sure to prepare all of the necessary equipment before going to bed around 7 pm. These should include, ski-stick, thermal clothing, hand warmers and a thermal flask for your water. You should also replace your headlamp and batteries. You’ll wake around 11 pm for tea and biscuits. The first part of the climb is very difficult over a rocky path. You will pass Williams Point (16,404 ft), Hans Meyer Cave (16,900 ft) and Gillman’s Point (18,640 ft) located on the crater’s rim. From here you will need about an hour and a half to reach the summit. The rest of the climb, along the crater’s rim, is typically covered with snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak. You will also pass Stella point (18,870 ft). At Uhuru peak (19,341 ft.) you can take photographs of your accomplishment, but don’t stay at this altitude for too long. From here you will start your descent toward Kibo hut where you will have lunch. From here you need about three hours to get back to Horombo hut for dinner. Overnight at Horombo in beds.

• DAY 7: Walk approximately 16.8 miles for 6 hours through low alpine zone. Breakfast at Horombo hut. On the way back down to the Marangu you will pass Mandara hut where you will have a short stop for lunch. At Marangu gate you will sign your details into a register and receive your summit certificate (green for reaching Gillman’s Point and gold for reaching Uhuru Peak. We recommend you tip the porters when you and all of your equipment reaches the gate. A driver will be at the gate waiting to transport you back to your hotel.

• DAY 8: After breakfast, transfer to airport.

 

Program includes: Hotel/lodge/camp accommodations for the duration of the climb. Professional English-speaking guide, all park entrance fees, all meals on the climb, water and hot drinks during the safari, camping equipment if applicable (tents, mattresses, sleeping bags, pillows, table and chairs.

 

Program excludes: Drinks purchased at the huts, international flights, airport taxes, entry visas, travel insurance, tips and gratuities, personal costs, medical and personal insurance.