6 Days Marangu Route
Day One: Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft), Elevation Gain: 915 meters, 3,000 feet
After morning breakfast transfer to Marangu gate Kilimanjaro. Upon arrive to Marangu gate meet your guides, cooks and porters. After registration activities then begin the climbing journey. Walk along narrow trail through rainy forest. The enjoy picnic lunch at Kisambioni point. After lunch continue walking up to Mandara Hut. Relax to the camp or take a short walk to Maundi Crater.
The Mandara Huts accommodate up to seventy people and consist of several sleeping huts and a dining area. All of Marangu huts have beds with mattresses.
Day Two: Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) Elevation Gain: 977 meters, 3,200 feet
After breakfast, leave Mandara Hut to reach Horombo Hut. Most of the day spends crossing the moorland zone with rocky landscape and desert like plants. Stop at Kambi ya Taabu point for picnic lunch. On way enjoy the beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Then arrive at Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.
Although extremely busy the Horombo Huts considered being nicest place. The small with A frame buildings accommodate up to eight people each and provide lodging for climbers ascending, descending and acclimatizing. Horombo accommodate up to one hundred climbers and many more porters, cooks and guides.
Day Three: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Mawenzi Hut (4,600m/15,100ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)
This is acclimatization day. We recommend hiking all the way to Mawenzi Hut to allow for maximum acclimatization. The hike will enable you to adapt and understand the mountain’s weather and altitude, increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, and also reward you with magnificent views of Kibo. Return to Horombo for a late lunch. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at Horombo.
Day Four: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters, 3,380 feet
Leave Horombo Hut after breakfast to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro’s upper altitudes. After hiking for about an hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream. After Maua the terrain becomes flatter and vegetation begins to disappear. Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill. After lunch continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro Saddle. Arrive Kibo Hut between 3 and 4 pm to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.
Day Five: Summit Day from Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft), Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, 3,760 feet, Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters, 7,140 feet
Around midnight awake for final ascent to Uhuru Peak. Climbing begins with a demanding five hour hike to Gillmans Point on the crater rim. The first major rest stop, at Williams Point lies at 5000m and is approximately a two hour hike from Kibo Hut. Continue on for thirty minutes before beginning the rocky switchbacks that continue to Gillmans Point (5,681m).
The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru enjoy spectacular views and take enough pictures before descending to Horombo Hut.
On the way down from the summit, you will see all of the magnificent views you could not see on the way up. Stop for a short break and snacks at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut. Reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon and enjoy your last night.
Day Six: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters, 6,295 feet
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Upon arrive transfer back to Arusha/Moshi.
