5 Days Kilimanjaro Trekking - Marangu Route

Upon arrival early in the morning you will be picked up from the airport direct to the starting gate or get picked up at your accommodation and start driving to Marangu starting gate.

The Kilimanjaro mountain is Africa's highest mountain and the world's tallest free-standing mountain at 5895 meters above sea level. It has three major volcanic centers which are Shira (4160 m), snow-capped Kibo (5895 m), and Mawenzi. For the Marangu route you will be ascending to the top.

Trek from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut at an altitude of 3700 m. This should take you 3-4 hours. After about 15 minutes, you will leave the glades of the rain forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. You will get amazing views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo. Look out for giant senecio and lobelias. You may start to feel the affects of the altitude today.

Today is considered optional since it starts and ends at Horombo Hut, however it is an important day for acclimatization that will increase your chances of reaching the summit. Today you can rest at the camp or have a day trek to Zebra Rocks (4200m) and Mawenzi Tarn Hut (4300m). You will be returning to Horombo Hut for overnight.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), begin the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's point located on the crater rim at 18640 ft/5861 m (4-5 hours). Continue to ascend to Uhuru Peak which is the highest point in Africa: 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). You willl find unbelievable views at every turn. Get your picture taken at the summit. From here, we now begin the descent, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to Horombo encampment for dinner and overnight (3-4 hours).

After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft). The first stopping place will be at the Marangu Route. Continue descending through lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m / 6004 ft). 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). You will find a car waiting for you at the gate where you wil get hot lunch before start drivng back to Moshi/Arusha for your overnight or airport drop off if you are flying out the same day after the tour.