Kilimanjaro Trek: Marangu Route

8 DAYS

The Marangu Route is one of the better known routes and gives the novice hiker a good opportunity to reach the summit. The paths are clearly defined and we provide top mountain guides, porters and safari chefs to look after you.

The nights are spent in dormitory-style chalets on "bunk" beds, which are generally warm and quite comfortable. There are no shower / bath facilities while doing the climb, and toilets will be long drops. You will be provided with a bowl of warm water each morning, on request, to wash with.

It generally takes five days to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro along the Marangu route and involves walking about eighty kilometres. The route begins at Marangu Gate at 1 860 metres, and then passes through the tropical rain forest to the Mandara Hut at 2 752 metres, close to the Maundi Crater.
Next day, the forest soon gives way to rolling alpine meadows with giant heather trees. The altitude begins to make itself felt and it takes about five hours to walk the twelve kilometres to the Horombo Hut at 3 780 metres. From here the landscape becomes progressively more rugged and rocky, and giant groundsels and lobelias appear in the sparse moor. The path skirts Mawenzi and then crosses the desert of the saddle towards the last hut nestling below Kibo at 4 740 metres. 
The final ascent is begun before dawn - this is the most difficult and tiring part, taking some five hours to reach Gillman's Point on the crater rim at 5 685 metres. Although this is usually taken as the summit of Kilimanjaro, the highest point is Uhuru Peak at 5 895 metres about 2 hour’s walk along the crater's rim. The descent is less tiring, and it is usual to stay overnight at Horombo.

The guides employed are excellent (some have climbed Kili over 400 times)! Each trip is lead by a senior guide, with other guides in a ratio of approximately one guide per 2 or 3 climbers - if you are a bit slower than the rest or get ill and have to descend, a guide will always be with you.

Itinerary:

Day 1: Tonight is spent at Keys Hotel on a dinner, bed and continental breakfast basis.

Day 2: After an early breakfast, a senior guide will do your climb briefing. You will then be driven to the Marangu Gate (approximately 1.5 hours drive) where you will meet the rest of your guides and porters. After the formalities at the gate have been completed, start your walk through the spectacular tropical rain forest. There is a detour on this route to the waterfalls in the rain forest, which is well worth following - discuss this with your guide before you set off. You should reach Mandara Hut (2,700 metres) for overnight within approximately 4 hours, not including the detour.

Day 3: A steep, sometimes wet, 20 minute walk through the upper part of the rainforest begins today, followed by a 2 kilometre section of tall giant heather interspersed with large clumps of tussock grass, around 15 kilometres or 5 hours from Mandara Hut. The vegetation will change to stunted clumps of heather, the "everlasting" flowers and short tussock grasses. Lobelia and groundsels occupy the wetter areas. Overnight at Horombo Hut (3,700 metres).
 
Day 4:Today serves as an acclimatisation day. This should not be underestimated and greatly improves your chances of reaching the summit. We take a 2-4 hour trek to Zebra Rocks, the distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. A warm lunch will be waiting on your return to the hut, where an afternoon of relaxation will improve your strength for the following day.

Day 5: Climbing through moorland forest, then alpine desert, you will reach "The Saddle" between the twin peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Before Kibo, you will come to "Jiwe la Ukoyo". From here, walk for approximately an hour to reach Kibo Hut (4,703 metres).

Day 6: Today you will be heading for the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895 metres). You will be woken at around midnight to commence the 5 hour hike on heavy scree up to Gillman's Point (5,686 metres). You will be walking in the dark as the ground is frozen and this makes it easier to ascend this steep section. As you reach the crater rim, the sun should be rising to display Africa in all its glory beneath you. The views are spectacular and it makes the entire journey worth every step! Continue another 1 or 2 hours to Uhuru Peak, along the wide paths of the crater rim - peering down onto massive glaciers shining in the morning sun.

Arriving at Uhuru can be quite emotional, with the strain of the summit finally behind you and Africa surrounding you! After a few photos at the summit, begin your steady descent to Kibo Hut for a rest and some nourishment, then continue to Horombo Hut for overnight.

Day 7: After breakfast, descend to Marangu Gates. You will be transferred to the hotel for a well-needed shower and an evening of celebration by the swimming pool. Overnight at Keys Hotel on a dinner, bed and continental breakfast basis.

Day 8: Your tour ends today after breakfast.