6 Days Kilimanjaro hike via Marangu route.
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Duration
Max People
Min Age
Tour Type
Overview
Highlights
Scale the summit of Kilimanjaro - Africa's highest mountain!
Follow the oldest and most famous route - the Marangu Route
Test yourself mentally and physically with the high altitudes
Description
The magnificent and towering Kilimanjaro is one of the most famous and popular mountains in the world, and I will guide you on a thrilling, fun and exciting 6-day trek to the summit via the Marangu Route, the oldest and most popular route to the summit owing to its quicker time, hut accommodation and exquisite, superb scenery.
Mount Kilimanjaro, nestled within the Kilimanjaro National Park in Tanzania, is a mountain standing 5895m high and is famous for being the highest mountain in Africa. Ascending to the summit of the mountain is an immensely popular activity, with people also wanting to bear witness to the massive glaciers that dot the landscape.
Our adventure begins in nearby Moshi Town, and we then head to the starting point of our trek, the Marangu Gate.
The first 2 days of the trip are spent trekking through rainforest, mud, rain and fog to reach the Mandara Hut (2700m), before heading onwards to the Horombo Hut (3720m). There is the opportunity to hike through moorlands full of exotic local plants and animals, and day 3 is fully devoted to acclimatizing to the immensely high altitudes you will encounter in the upper reaches of the mountain.
The next day there is the choice of 2 routes to the Kibo Hut (4700m), the upper route and lower route, with the main discernible difference being the trekking time.
After a night in this hut we then tackle the summit of Kilimanjaro, the best and most exciting part of the trip, as we spend 8 physically and mentally challenging hours trekking to Uhuru Peak (5895m), where you will feel on top of the world looking out over the clouds and the African countryside, making sure you get as many photos as possible!
Our fun-filled adventure ends on day 6 as we head back down to the starting point, proud and happy at having accomplished such a beautiful achievement.
Included/Excluded
- Overnight stays in mountain Huts
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees ,Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- 2 nights’ hotel accommodation in Moshi/Arusha (before & after the climb)
- Tips
- Flights
- Visa fee
- Mountain gear
Tour Plan
Day 1: Marangu route 6 days – Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara Hut (2700m)
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Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 12 kilometres
Habitat: Montane forest
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of ascending, you will reach the Mandara Hut (2700m). Each hut has 6-8 sleeping bunks (sleeps 60 hikers total) with solar generated lighting. Next to the central hut there are flush toilets. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Details
Day 1: Marangu route 6 days – Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara Hut (2700m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours
Distance: Approximately 12 kilometres
Habitat: Montane forest
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of ascending, you will reach the Mandara Hut (2700m). Each hut has 6-8 sleeping bunks (sleeps 60 hikers total) with solar generated lighting. Next to the central hut there are flush toilets. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!
Day 2: Marangu route 6 days – Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometres
Habitat: Moorland
Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m). Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.
Day 3: Marangu route 6 days – Horombo Hut (3720m) – Acclimatization day
At Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimate to high altitudes. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending on your preference for the day.
Day 4: Marangu route 6 days – Horombo Hut (3720m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut (4700m). The upper route (located to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour shorter).
Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Day 05:Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Day 5: Marangu route 6 days – Summit Attempt
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6 kilometres ascent and 21 kilometres descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow-covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
Day 6: Marangu route 6 days – Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 27 kilometres
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
Day 2: Marangu route 6 days – Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometres
Habitat: Moorland
Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m). Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.
Day 3: Marangu route 6 days – Horombo Hut (3720m) – Acclimatization day
At Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimate to high altitudes. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending on your preference for the day.
Day 4: Marangu route 6 days – Horombo Hut (3720m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat: Alpine desert
Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut (4700m). The upper route (located to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour shorter).
Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Day 05:Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Day 5: Marangu route 6 days – Summit Attempt
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6 kilometres ascent and 21 kilometres descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow-covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
Day 6: Marangu route 6 days – Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 27 kilometres
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.