Mt Kilimanjaro Trek In Tanzania

The Marangu Route
The Marangu or main route is by far the most popular way to the summit. The accommodation on the way is provided in mountain huts with all the basic necessities. It usually takes 5 days/4 nights round-trip. The trek can be taken in 6 days/5 nights but we recommend an extra day to acclimatize at Horombo Hut.

Day 1
Pick up from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Moshi town. Half board accommodation at Bristol Cottages or Sal Salinero Hotel in Moshi.

Day 2
After breakfast and a short tour briefing from the guide, depart to Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (i50-min drive). Upon registering with park authorities, the climb officially commences with a fivehour walk to the Mandara encampment. Pass through a thick rainforest zone with a high chance of rain in the afternoon. Overnight night at Mandara Hut (2,750m). Shared bathrooms with running water.

Day 3
Today, continue the ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3,000m (approx. 6 hours walk). Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. Overnight at Horombo Hut (3,720m). Shared bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 4
The trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends to the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as you enter the desert-like alpine zone (approx. 4,000m) and, once you cross the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. This seven-hour walk will be taken at a slow pace. Overnight at Kibo Hut (4,703m), a comfortable stone construction (no running water at Kibo Hut). Few plants other than lichens and grasses survive in these conditions.

Day 5
At midnight, commence the climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman’s Point (5,861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen and an early start for the 7-hour hike improves your chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gillman’s Point, it is a further two-hour round trip along the crater’s edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From the summit, it is downhill to Horombo Hut (approx. a 6-hour hike) where you spend our last night on the mountain.

Day 6
Today’s descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain (approx. a 6-hour hike, where each hiker will receive a well-deserved certificate. From here, you will be transferred to Bristol Cottages or Sal Salinero Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.

Day 7
After breakfast, transfer to JRO Airport via Arusha.

Mandara Hut 2700m. This is a group of comfortable, wooden A-frame huts. The largest cabin has a down stairs dining area and upstairs dormitory with bunk beds and mattresses; smaller huts sleep 8 each. The total capacity is 60. Water is piped into the site from springs above and flush toilets are behind the cabin.

Horombo Hut 3720m. The buildings are similar to Mandara, but total capacity is 120. Water is piped from the stream behind the huts. There are platform toilets 80m down the slope and new flush toilets within the complex of small huts.

Kibo Hut 4703m. This stone house with a small dining-room & dormitory rooms has bunk beds & mattresses for 60 people.