Marangu Route 8 Days Kili Climb Tour

The Marangu Route is perhaps the easiest and most comfortable route to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. The route is well developed and the climb is constant and moderate. Only the approach to the summit is the exception; this being slightly more demanding. The accommodation on this tour is in simple mountain huts.

Stage

Start

Finish

Altitude Gain (m)

Duration

Description

1

Marangu Gate

(1860m)

Mandara Hut
(2700m)

↑840m

3-4 h

Beautiful passage through the mountain forest with a chance of seeing the colobus monkeys.

2

Mandara Hut
(2700m)

Horombo Hut
(3700m)

↑ 1000m

5-6 h

Stage through heath and moorland with typical Senecia and Lobelia.

3

Horombo Hut
(3700m)

Horombo Hut
(3700m)

↑ 400m
↓ 400m

ca 3h

Acclimatization day with a hike to the Zebra rocks.

4

Horombo Hut
(3700m)

Kibo Hut
(4700m)

↑ 1000m

5-6 h

The alpine desert becomes more and more pronounced. Passing the Last Water Point and over the Saddle to the Kibo hut.

5

Kibo Hut
(4700m)

Horombo Hut
(3700m)

↑ 1200m
↓ 2200m

12-16 h

Start before dawn, at sunrise over Gillmann’s Point to Uhuru Peak. Descent via Kibo to Horombo Hut.

6

Horombo Hut
(3700m)

Marangu Gate
(1860m)

↑ 1840m

4-6 h

Descent through the rainforest to the park gate. A farewell ceremony from the mountain guides and the presentation of the Certificate of Completion of Kilimanjaro.

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, Hotel Transfer

You will be collected from Kilimanjaro Airport and taken to Arusha town for your first night. Your climbing mountain guides and trip leaders will conduct a gear check and briefing to ensure that you have all the required climbing gear and are aware of any missing things. The rest of the day will be yours to do as you, please. You may choose to relax at the hotel or take a stroll around Arusha. There will also be time to check your trekking equipment and you will have a preliminary talk in preparation for your trek the following days. Overnight stay at Planet Lodge.

Included: Dinner

Day 2: Marangu - Marangu Gate (1860m) - Mandara Hut (2700m)

After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of the black and white colobus monkey.

Approximately 4 hrs later, you will reach your destination of the day – the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior. Evening meal and overnight stay at the Mandara Hut (2650m).

Day 3: Mandara Hut (2700m) - Horombo Hut (3700m)

The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo, and the wide plain of the Masai steppe. Evening meal and overnight stay at Horombo Hut.

Day 4: Horombo Hut - Zebra Rocks (4020m) - Horombo Hut (3700m)

Today serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and greatly improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, a 4-5 hour trek follows to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name.

On your return to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day. Overnight and evening meals at Horombo Hut.

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3700m) - Kibo Hut (4700m)

Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Waterpoint” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This plateau joins the main summit of Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut which is usually reached in about 5 - 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.

Day 6: Kibo Hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo Hut

Today is “The Big Day” - the summit stage. This begins at night when the lava ash is still frozen and walking on it is easier. The mountain guide will wake you up at 23:00 hrs and an hour later, you will begin the long and strenuous trek to the summit. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards.

At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 - 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. At this peak, you can celebrate your accomplishment of reaching the “Roof of Africa”!

The route back down follows the same path; the lava ash will now have thawed and allows for a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can regain your strength. Following a 1 - 2 hour break, you will once again be on your way hiking to the Horombo Hut (3700m) where you will arrive in the afternoon. After an evening meal, most of the mountain conquerors understandably retire early to bed.

Day 7: Horombo Hut (3700m) - Marangu Gate (1860m) - Marangu

The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m).

After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to Marangu Hotel. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro. Overnight stay and evening meal at Planet Lodge

Included: Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 8: Marangu - Transfer

After breakfast, you can continue with your travel plans or be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport. For those of you who will return home now, we will say goodbye. For those who would like to see more of Tanzania, it will be a pleasure to take you on a safari to some of Tanzania’s amazing national parks or for a relaxing holiday on the ‘spice island’ of Zanzibar!

Included: Breakfast

Items Included:

Professional, English-speaking guide

Personal porter

Kilimanjaro Trekking Tour according to the travel plan description

Meals as indicated in the tour brochure

Transfers to and from the Kilimanjaro Airport

Two overnight stays at Planet Lodge or similar (including breakfast & dinner)

Return transfer from the trailhead and back to Arusha

Overnight stays in mountain huts

All national park fees

Items Not Included:

Meals not indicated in the tour description

Alcohol and soft drinks (coke, mineral water, etc.)

Visa fees

Tips

Personal spending for souvenirs etc.

Travel Insurance