Marangu route 6 days itinerary Kilimanjaro

ITINERARY DESCRIPTION BY DAY

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara
hut (2700m).

Hiking time: 5 hours.
Distance: About 12 km’s.
Habitat: Montane forest.
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about
50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is
located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Our guides will be
available to assist with any additional information or needs you might
have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail
through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with
beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found.
(An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail, branches off to
the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of
a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the
main trail either, after 1½ hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara
hut). Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts
in a forest clearing.

Day 2: Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m).

Hiking time: 6 hours.
Distance: About 15 km’s.
Habitat: Moorland.

From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then
skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition
from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble
up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view
of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance,
showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in
the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s
most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to
3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can
reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo
hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and
overnight.

Day 3: Horombo hut (3720m) – Acclimatisation day.

Horombo hut is a village of huts perched
on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total
capacity of 120 climbers! You will meet both
ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo
is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing
the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly
recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation.
Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day
are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s
rest.

Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m)

Hiking time: 6 hours.
Distance: About 15 km’s.
Habitat: Alpine desert.

After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat.
From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers
to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an
upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose
from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar, as you
will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It
is very stony and eroded.
You will have to fill your water bottles with all the
water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time
(unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again
remember to slow down and drink enough water!! Situated in the barren
Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk
beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however
possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office.
There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further
1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your
equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should
include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make
sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will
be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about
19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 5: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut

(4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3720m).

Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru – 6 hours to descend to Horombo.

Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent.
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
You will rise around 23h30, and after some
tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the
going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a
rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The
path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on
the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree,
requiring a great physical and mental effort
From Gillman’s Point you will normally
encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point
in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather
conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend,
taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After
a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and
head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo
hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time
spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very
tough day. .
Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and
beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep,
filled with memories and stirring emotions..

Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m).

Hiking time: 6 hours.
Distance: About 27 km’s.

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara
hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and
details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive
their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point
(5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru
Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi.

Price varies depends on number of people

Price includes :

Transport from Kilimanjaro Airport to the Hotel in Moshi, Transport from Hotel to Kilimanjaro Marangu gate, all park fees, salaries of guides/porters/cook, and all meals on the mountain, clean safe drinking water, accommodation equipment, and Government tax, certificate of climbing, first aid, rescue and transfer to Moshi Hotel

Price not Includes:

Flight to Tanzania, Entry VISA, and Hotel in Moshi, climbing gears (available for rent), tips to guides, porters, coordinator and items of a personal nature.

Hotel in Moshi is not included so that we provide you the chance to select a hotel you prefer. Here down we recommend hotels according to room rate/price

– Mount Kilimanjaro White House Hotel OR Kilimanjaro safari Lodge = 30 $ per person on B/B – Have Kilimanjaro view

– Moshi Leopard Hotel = 50 US $ per room B/B

– Panama Garden Resort or Park View Inn (these have a swimming pool and have Kilimanjaro view) Price is 90 US $ per room on B/B

– Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel – 5 star and Price is 140 $ on B/B Per room