The Marangu route is the original climbing route on Kilimanjaro and the home of the park’s headquarters. This is a well-established route and is the only route which has dormitory-style huts in lieu of camping. The A-frame style huts have between 8 and 20 beds in each room. Sleeping can be very comfortable, but might be noisy depending on how many people are in your hut.
The Marangu route is known for being relatively comfortable and luxurious compared to the other routes on Kilimanjaro. The hut system is a nice option for staying dry, especially if you are climbing during the rainier times of the year.
- Day 1
Elevation: 1860m / 6100ft to 2700m / 8875ft
Distance: 8km / 5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), 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.
- Day 2
Elevation: 2700m / 8875ft to 3700m / 12,200ft
Distance: 12km / 7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
You leave the glades of the rain-forest 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 affects of the altitude.
- Day 3
Elevation: 3700m / 12,200ft
Distance: 0km / 0mi
Hiking Time: 0-0 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Rest day at Horombo Hut with optional hike by Mawenzi Peak. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
- Day 4
Elevation: 3700m / 12,200ft to 4700m / 15,500ft
Distance: 9km / 5.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
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.
- Day 5
Elevation: 4700m / 15,500ft to 5895m / 9,340ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
A Very early morning (midnight), 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.
- Day 6
Elevation: 3700m / 12,200ft to 1700m / 5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
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).
Quotation Includes;
- All accommodations as per itinerary
- 4X4 safari vehicle & Fuel
- Full-time English speaking driver/ guide
- All meals as indicated
- Park entrance fees
- Vehicle entrance fees
- Bottled mineral water while on safari
- All activities as indicated
Quotation Excludes;
- Tips
- Visa fees
- Air tickets
- All items of personal nature like laundry, phone calls, beer, e.t.c
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Anything else not included in the itinerary.
