Marangu Route

Approximately Hiking time: 4-5hours Distance approximately 8.1 km Habitat: Montane forest After breakfast, Trip briefing and equipment checks for the last time before drive from Arusha to Marangu gate. Register at the park office, and then start hiking through rain forest to the upper edge of the forest. Lunch will served on the way if weather allows, stretch to Mandara Camp approximate hiking is3-4 hours. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut (2715m) on FB. Habitat found here is montane forest.

hiking Approximately time: 5-6hours Distance approximately 11.6 km 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. 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 3m in height and more. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut on FB.

Hiking approximately time:3- 4hrs Distance approximately 7 km uphill and 7 km downhill Habitat: Alpine desert This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization helping your body to adapt the high altitude environment. The secret your success to drink enough water and move slowly pole pole!! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut on FB.

Hiking approximately time: 5-6hrs Distance approximately 9 km Habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast start hiking through the moorland into alpine desert of Kilimanjaro’s upper altitudes. about an hour you will arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream, from Maua River the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. 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. Break for lunch at Middle red Hill. Afterwards continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro’s Saddle. Arrive at Kibo Hut rest and prepare for your midnight attempt to reach UHURU PEAK. Dinner and overnight on full board.

Approximately total time: 14-16 hours to reach Uhuru Peak and to descend to Horombo total Distance approximately: 20km ascent and descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit Wake up around 23:30hrs midnight, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the toughest part of the route begin, simply because it starts at midnight thus denying any trekker the sufficient rest times required. The other reason is that unlike the rest of the route, most of the climb up to the summit involves winding through scree filled slopes that make sure for every one step up the mountain you take half a step downward. . 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. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa well known as the “ROOF OF AFRICA”. Weather conditions on the summit determine how long you will spend on the Roof of Africa obvious it won’t be long, on the same day, you make a descent from the summit through Kibo huts and finally spending a night back at Horombo huts. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 -16hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. It’s a most challenging day but will reward you a life time experience. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Hiking approximately time: 5-6hours Distance approximately 19km After breakfast you continue your descent, 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 who reached Gillman’s Point are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak receive gold certificates. You now drive to the hotel in Arusha for a hot shower before we transfer you to Kilimanjaro airport for departure flight. Up to Marangu Gate at a height of (1980m) – Marangu Gate, ascending time is approximately 6 hours.