Marangu Route (5 or 6 Days)

After breakfast you will be taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at 1,840 m. Upon completion of the necessary paper work, your trek commences and soon you will be hiking through the dense rainforest of Marangu. Looking up, you might have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the thumbless black and white colobus monkeys. After you have reached the Mandara Hut (2,700 m) in approximately 4-5 hours and you have had some time to catch your breath, you will have the option to join a walk to the Maundi Crater where you will enjoy a breathtaking view of the Kenyan interior, as well as of the gleaming lakes which share the border between Kenya and Tanzania. You will stay the evening at Mandara Hut for dinner and overnight.

An early breakfast strengthens you for the trek ahead and shortly after leaving Mandara Hut you will reach the cross roads between Horombo Hut and Maundi Crater. Heading in the direction of Horombu Hut the vegetation will change to shrubs and you will cross the open moor land reaching your destination in approximately 6-8 hours. Looking back your path will already be shrouded in clouds and looking forward you will catch glimpses of Mawenzi, Kibo peak and the Masai steppe. After your evening meal you will drift off to sleep at the Horombu Hut for dinner and overnight.

Zebra Rocks is on the agenda today, in order for your body to acclimatize to the altitude. Acclimatization plays an important role in improving your chances to reach the summit and this 2-4 hour trek offers you the opportunity to stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh air. Zebra Rocks (3,980 m) is named after the distinct black and white stripes covering the rock formation. A hot lunch will await you on your return and the rest of the afternoon is for you to enjoy the spectacular views around you and regain your strength for tomorrow’s hike. You will stay another night at Horombu Hut for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast a long and tough journey to Kibo Hut awaits you. The vegetation slowly changes into an alpine desert and you will pass the “last waterpoint” on your way to the so-called “saddle”, a plateau situated between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. You will arrive at the Kibo Hut in about 6-8 hours for dinner and overnight.

The summit day has finally arrived and at around midnight, when the lava ash is still frozen, you will start your ascent. Your path will be strenuous with only your headlight to light the way. You will pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,200 m and slowly make your way up. Gilman’s Point at 5,715 m will be reached as the sun rises over the crater rim. You will arrive at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) in 6-8 hours. The cold is soon forgotten as you stand on the “Roof of Africa”, basking in the rays of the morning light. After well-deserved photo opportunity you will descend along the same path. The lava ash will now have thawed, allowing for a faster descent with a break at Kibo Hut for a warm meal. Before you continue down to the Horombu Hut where you will stay the night. The descent is approximatively 4-5 hours.

The surrounding vegetation becomes greener as you continue to descent and soon you will arrive at the Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The journey back to the park gate gives you another chance to observe the beautiful tropical rainforest and spot anything you have missed on the way up, like the Impatiens Kilimanjari Flower, which is endemic to the rainforest on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Arriving at the gate after 5-7 hours you will say goodbye to your mountain crew and tipping. At the hotel you can enjoy a shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

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