5 Days Marangu Route

Kilimanjaro Trek Itinerary

Itinerary:

1. Day 1: Moshi – Marangu gate – Mandara Hut
   Elevation: 1900M to 2700 M
   Distance: 8 km
   Hiking time: 4-5 hrs
   Habitat: Montane Forest
   The actual hike begins at the park gate (6,000 feet) and we hike 5.5 miles up to Mandara Hut
   (8,860 feet) near the upper edge of the forest line. The hike takes about 4-6 hours. The path is
   interesting, starting off through rain forest vegetation, and then opening up to giant heather. If
   time and weather permit, a short walk from Mandara to Maundi Crater is worth the effort.
   Accommodations here, as well as at Horombo, are in wooden A-frame huts that sleep 4 to 8.
2. Day 2: Mandara Hut– Horombo Hut
   Elevation: 2700M to 3,700M
   Distance: 11 km
   Hiking time: 6-8 hrs
   Habitat: Heath and moorland
   Today the destination is Horombo Hut at 12,200 feet. It takes a good 5-6 hours to cover the
   10-mile journey and we often get our first views of the Kibo summit. The trail is strenuous and
   slippery and takes us clear of the forests and out onto the moorland. It passes beneath the rocky
   southern face of Mawenzi-one of the three volcanoes that make up Kilimanjaro. Rainfall in this
   region is frequent.
3. Day 3: Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Kibo hut
   Distance: 4 km
   Hiking time: 1-2 hrs
   Habitat: Heath and moorland
   Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro
   between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.. Although somewhat shorter in distance, this usually
   takes 7 hours because it is steeper and the altitude slows everyone down. The route passes
   directly up onto the Saddle, a wide, flat area with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi looming
   overhead. Views from here can be fantastic. The last part of the trail passes across the arid
   plateau before ascending to Kibo Hut. Kibo Hut is a stone hut with rooms that sleep 10-15
   people in bunk beds. We will have a light dinner, and turn in early for any sleep if possible. The
   guides give a little pre-climb talk after dinner.
4. Day 4: Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Gilman – Uhuru – Horombo
   Elevation: 3700M to 4700M
   Distance: 9 km
   Hiking time: 6-8 hrs
   Habitat: Alpine desert
   We are awakened at about midnight, and have tea and biscuits in preparation for the climb
   ahead. The guides try to get everyone ready to climb as quickly as possible, leaving between
   1:00-1:30 a.m. Starting off, the trail swings back and forth up a steep scree slope and the
   ambience is bitterly cold. The summit climb is an event you will not forget, with the night sky
   full of stars and only you’re breathing to help focus your mind. Most climbers arrive at
   Gillman’s Point, elevation 18,635 feet, in time to enjoy sunrise at around 6:30 a.m. The views
   from the top looking down on the plains of Africa make it all worthwhile. Some climbers decide
   that they have reached their goal and head down from here. For those who still have some fight
   in them, the true summit at Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet) is an additional 3 hours’ round-trip. The
   descent from Gillman’s Point is fairly rapid, taking about 2 hours. Most climbers take a short
   rest at Kibo Hut before descending to Horombo Hut for the night, arriving in the late afternoon
5. Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Marangu/M0shi
   Elevation: 4700M to 5895 and down to 3700M
   Distance: 6 km up/15 km down/9 km to Horombo
   Hiking time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
   Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
   Today involves a long 14-mile hike back to the Marangu gate and park’s headquarters. We will
   stop at the hotel, pick up our gear and drive to our hotel in Moshi. It is a welcome treat to sleep
   in a comfortable bed, take a hot shower and celebrate the climb with a meal and some drinks.
   Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!

DEPARTURE/RETURN LOCATION: Moshi

DEPARTURE TIME: Not specified

Inclusions:

• All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
• Professional, experienced, and friendly mountain guides
• Medical evacuation with Kilimanjaro Search and Rescue> Flying Doctors.
• 2 night and accommodations-one before and after the trek in good hotels.
• Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
• Pulse-oximeter – To measure the oxygen level, for each climber daily
• Portable Emergency Oxygen tanks
• Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
• Sleeping Mattress
• All meals while on the Mountain
• Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• Clean, purified drinking water
• Crisis management and safety procedures
• Fair and ethical treatment of porters
• Conservation fees (part of park fees)
• Arrival and Departure transfers
• Rescue fees (part of park fees)
• All Government Tax and Park Entrance Fees
• VAT (18% charged by the Government)

Not Included:

• Tips for guides, cook and porters
• Track your trek by satellite device services
• Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
• Tips and gratuities
• Travel insurance
• Tanzania Visa on arrival
• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)