6 Days Marangu Route Tour

Altitudes (ASL): 1,970m – 2720m Distance covered: 7km Trekking time: 3 – 4 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Altitude gained: 730m Soon after early breakfast, drive from Hotel/lodge to Marangu Gate, the headquarter offices in Mt. Kilimanjaro National Park. On arrival here, you will sign and make the final preparations for starting the climb. Make sure that you have with you the day pack and all the items you will need to use on today’s hiking. You are now leaving the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest is covered with mist and dripping with beards of moss. It is also in this zone where animals and birds are found. The animals are Blue monkeys, Black and White Colobuses, Vervet monkeys, Duikers, etc. The birds are Hartlaub’s Turaco, Hornbills, Bee-eaters, Flycatchers, etc. First overnight at Mandara Huts, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Water is piped into the camp and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

Activities : Trekking

Altitudes (ASL): 2700m – 3720m Distance covered: 11km Trekking time: 6 – 7 hours Habitat: Moorland Altitude gained: 1020m From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirting the base of the Maundi Crater emerging into the transition zone from rain forest to moorland. After about 6 hours from here we will reach Horombo Hut where will we stay overnight. Make the most of the hot washing water available here.

Activities : Trekking

Altitude (ASL): 3720, Habitat: Moorland, Hiking time: 4½ – 5 hours This extra day and night at Horombo is ideal for good acclimatization. A hike towards Mawenzi, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1½ hours down), is highly recommended as it will further assist with acclimatization.

Activities : Trekking

Altitudes (ASL): 3720m – 4700m Distance covered: 9.5km Trekking time: 5 – 6 hours Habitat: Alpine desert Altitude gained: 980m We continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone passing the last place where water is available at 4130m. We will fill our water bottles with all the water we will need until our return to Horombo Hut in two night’s time. From Kibo Hut, the summit is now a further 1195m of ascent. We will make our summit ascent tonight so we will go to sleep at 18:30pm and try to get as much rest as possible.

Activities : Trekking

Altitudes (ASL): 4700m – 5895m Distance covered: 6km to summit, 6km back to Kibo Huts, and 9.5km to Horombo Huts totalling 21 ½ km Trekking time: 6 – 7 hours ascening, 3 hours descending to Kibo Huts, another 3 hours descent to Horombo Huts Habitat: Stone screed and ice-capped summit Altitude gained (Kibo Huts to Summit): 1195m Altitude lost (Summit to Horombo Huts): 2,175m This day is the “Big day”. It starts at midnight when you wake up with some light snack and tea or coffee before leaving for the summit attempt. The habitat here is just stone scree and the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150m where you take a short rest. From here the way keeps on zigzagging towards the Gillman’s point at 5,685m. Reaching here is an achievement too and, there is a certificate for that waiting for you. As for Gilman’s Point onwards to the Summit you got to be cautious, slow up, but surely and with courage and consistency you are at Uhuru Peak at 5,895m. It is the highest peak in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Sometimes weather conditions can be so harsh and you will just spend a few minutes then embark on your descent. Back at Kibo Hut, you will have a hot soup and some snacks, toasts, and a short rest. From here then continue down to Horombo Huts where you will spend the overnight. Later in the evening, you enjoy your dinner and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Activities : Trekking

Altitudes (ASL): 3720m – 1920m Altitude lost: 1,750m Habitat: Moorland and Montane Forest Distance covered: 18 km Trekking time: 6 – 7 hours Soon ater early morning after breakfast, you will proceed with descent down across the Alpine moorland to passing Mandara Hut on the way to Marangu Gate; a descent of about 6 hours. Once at the Marangu Gate, you will sign for checking out and followed by summit certificates representation. Here, you will be handed a Green Certificate for having reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) or Silver Certificate for Stella Point (5759m), or a Gold Certificate for Uhuru Peak (5895m). After a short session of jubilation and farewell with your crew (guides, cook, and porters); and tipping of course, and having lunch you will take a waiting car and be transferred back to Arusha town where you will check in at your hotel/lodge in for a welcome shower, dinner and overnight. (3 hours drive) Do not hesitate please to contact us for the tour costs and as well, for more information about this trip!

Activities : Trekking