


Tanzania

Guided

Camping
The Marangu route is arguably the most popular Mount Kilimanjaro ascent, a relatively easy 5–6 day climb. It's also the oldest route, at one time attracting over 80% of trekkers on Kilimanjaro. On the Marangu route, you descend by retracting your steps and it's the only route on Kilimanjaro with overnight stops in purpose built huts. Since this is the shortest and cheapest route on the mountain, it is frequently very busy leading to the facilities along the trail sometimes becoming stretched so always book in advance. The Marangu route approaches from the south, passing to the south of Mawenzi before it crosses to the desolate Saddle. The summit ascent is then conducted on an arduous scree slope that culminates in the arrival at Gilman Point on the crater rim. This route can done in 5 days and as a result it has a surprisingly low success rate for getting trekkers to the top compared to the other routes. To improve your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, it is advisable to factor in an extra day for acclimatization purposes. This extra day is spent at Horombo Hut from where you can enjoy a number of fascinating side trips to explore various features of the mountain.
From USD 1,540 per person when 1 person travels alone
From USD 1,400 per person when 2–4 persons travel together
From USD 1,220 per person when 5+ persons travel together
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek can begin, and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the ‘last water point’ which is followed by the so-called ‘saddle’. This near vegetation-less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut, usually reached in about 5–6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
Today is the ‘Big Day’ – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1– hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1–2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
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