The first day on your amazing Kilimanjaro Marangu Route journey is filled with anticipation. After arriving at the airport, you’ll be greeted warmly by our driver who’ll transport you to the hotel in Moshi. You’ll then settle down then attend an orientation session. Our experienced team leaders will guide you through all the important details of your trip and offer advice for a successful journey. Your hiking gear will then be carefully inspected and adjusted if necessary. The rest of the day is spent getting ready for your life-changing adventure. Bed and overnight stay on bed and breakfast basis.

Distance: ~8km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Rainforest

The Marangu Route begins at Marangu Gate (1,879amsl) on the South-East side of Mount Kilimanjaro Typically you will be driven to the gate from Moshi, which takes approximately an hour and passes through the village of Marangu. If approaching from Arusha it takes over 3 hours to reach Marangu gate. At the gate you will meet your trekking team, register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities and witness porters assembling and weighing packs of gear that they will be carrying up the mountain. Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest and takes 3-4 hours to complete. Your first night is spent in the Mandara Hut. A-frame Huts (2,720amsl) which come equipped with solar generated lighting, flush toilets and water piped in from a nearby mountain stream. Each hut has more than 6-8 bunk beds. If you are a light sleeper we suggest bringing ear plugs!

Distance: ~11.5km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Moorland Zone

Day two on the Marangu Route begins with an early start and you should take a lunch box due to long walking hours. You will be served breakfast and should be on your way by latest 08:00. The trek continues through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you should definitely take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo. During the trek you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude. Day two takes approximately 6-7 hours to complete and covers a significant distance (11.5km). At Horombo Hut (3,720amsl) you will be served dinner and shown to your sleeping quarters for the night.

Distance: ~4.5km
Trekking time: 3-4 hours
Zone: Moorland zone

Today is acclimatization day, ater breakfast, you will depart from Horombo Hut early and begin a 405amsl ascent to Zebra rock 4125amsl which covers a distance of approximately 6km, and return back to Horombo Hut where you will be served an early dinner and should try get to bed before 20:00.

Distance: ~10km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Zone: Moorland zone/ Alpine desert

There are two routes to Kibo Hut; the first, or upper route, forks to the right. You will most likely take the lower left hand route as it is easier and nearly an hour shorter. On the left hand route you will pass the last water point at 4,130amsl. Make sure to fill up your water reserves here as you will not find another watering point until you get back to Horombo Hut from the summit (you are able to be filled mineral water at Kibo Hut). You will be awoken around 23:30 to start your 200amsl ascent to Uhuru Peak; make sure that you have all your gear ready for a prompt departure, including insulated water, snacks, your headlamp and camera.

Distance: ~6km ascent and then 16km descent
Trekking time: 6-7 hours to the summit and then 5.5 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Summit zone, high alpine zone and Moorland zone

Day four begins with summit night. After being awoken you will be served some hot tea and biscuits and will then begin your summit ascent. The route follows a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,159amsl. It then continues to zigzag for a good 2-3 hours until you get to Gilman’s Point (5,681amsl) on Kibo’s crater rim. You will most likely be very tired at this point. Take some time to rest and refuel with a snack. The final push is tough and requires mental stamina. Focus on moving slowly and deliberately for the final 200 meter ascent. At Uhuru Peak (5,895amsl) you will not be able to stay too long so make sure to get all the pictures you want to take and then begin your descent back to Kibo Hut, and onto Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it!

Distance: ~19km
Trekking time: 6-7 hours
Zone: Moorland zone and rainforest

Day five from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate is nearly 19km but usually only takes 6-7 hours to complete. You will be exhausted at this stage and spend most of the hike imagining the hot shower you will be having that evening. At Marangu Gate you will be presented with your certificate, either for Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you managed to get). It is customary to present your trekking team with their hard-earned tips at this point. You will then be driven to Arusha for leisure and overnight stay on bed and breakfast basis.

If you are flying back home we mostly recommend to book an evening flight so that you can spend in the afternoon doing shopping in Arusha and off-course this is the reason why we booked your last night accommodation in Arusha. This is the beating heart of the wild and the last port of civilization. The markets of Arusha burst with color, and throng with locals picking up their weekly wares. The numerous cafes sell dark and deliriously good coffee from the plantations, and close by the infamous National Park lures visitors in to explore her evocative Maasai culture and exotic flora and fauna. In the late evening, depending on your flight time we will come to pick you up and drop you at Airport.