08 Days Marangu Route

Kilimanjaro’s snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises to an impressive 5896 metres above sea level. It is one of the world’s highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth, making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe. Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro appears from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes. Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush, forested foothills, soak up the breathtaking views

Day 01: Kilimanjaro International Airport – Moshi Town (2,985 ft.)

Day Itinerary

On your arrival at JRO Int Airport, our representative to meet and welcome guests (or pickup from Arusha City Hotel) and drive to Moshi Town, gateway to the Mt Kilimanjaro. You will check into your hotel and briefed about your next 7 days program, go through check list of your climbing gear/equipment and health/medical details and insurance. After the formalities, rest day.

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Overnight: Springlands Hotel 

Moshi

Located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenyan border in Northern Tanzania, the vibrant town of Moshi is known as a coffee-producing hub boasting vast coffee plantations. The majestic snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro towers over this little African town. Moshi serves as the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park and provides an excellent base from which to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Visitors can enjoy day trips, short hikes, or longer expeditions using Moshi as a starting point. Other popular activities include spotting the Big Five on a wildlife safari, visiting a local village to learn about Maasai culture, and sampling mouth-watering Tanzanian cuisine.

Day 02: Moshi Town – Marangu Gate (6,496 ft.) – Mandara Huts (8,858 ft.)

Day Itinerary

In just under an hour, you will reach the Kilimanjaro National Park gate where climbers sign in and make final preparations. You will be most thankful for the porters, who will ascend before you, carrying food, water, cooking gas and most of your equipment. Our expert guides will be available for anything you might need, but once all is settled, the climb begins. You will take a cleared ridge trail through the amazing rain forest, which is suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss. It is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. Should you prefer a more scenic forest path along the edge of a stream, there is a choice to take it, then rejoin the main trail later. In a forest clearing at Mandara Huts, you will sleep for the night. Quarters are a group of wooden A-frame huts with bunks for 6 to 8, solar generated lighting, water, and flush toilets.
Hiking time: 5 hrs. / Distance: 7.5 miles
Habitat: Montane forest

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight: Mandara Huts          

This campsite is set in a forest along the Marangu Route. Mandara Huts can accommodate up to 60 campers at a time. The campsite relies on solar lighting and features a dining hall and ablution facilities.

Day 03: Mandara Huts (8,858 ft) – Horombo Huts (12,205 ft)

Day Itinerary

From Mandara Huts the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then appears into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecio Kilimanjaro), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo Huts, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal.

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight: Horombo Huts & Campsite

The Horombo Huts & Campsite is set along the Marangu Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This site can accommodate up to 120 campers spread across a mix of cabins and tents. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, a dining area, and a rangers office. Guests will also have access to an abundant water source near the campsite.

Day 04: Horombo Huts (12,205 ft) – Acclimatization Day

Day Itinerary – Acclimatization Day
As you might imagine, the atmosphere at the hut today is filled with excitement, adventure, and lively exchange. Bustling with hikers, guides, and porters, it is a switching station of sorts, with ascending and descending hikers exchanging valuable stories and information. Remember to drink enough water today; your main priority should be acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut is strongly recommended for this purpose. During the climb — 3 hours up, 1.5 down — you will pass the Zebra Rocks. When you return to huts, there will be hot food mixed with anticipation. Retire early, for this will be your last full night’s rest before the summit ascent.
Hiking time: 6h / Distance: 9.4 miles
Habitat: Moorland

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight: Horombo Huts

Day 05: Horombo Huts (12,205 ft.) – Kibo Huts (15,419 ft.)

Day Itinerary

The ascent continues. From Horombo, there are two trails to the “Saddle,” the area between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The upper right-hand fork, its path stony and eroded, will be familiar from yesterday’s climb. You are, however, encouraged to take the less taxing lower left-hand fork, which passes the last watering point, at 13,549 ft. Unless you plan to buy mineral water at Kibo, you will need to supply yourself with all the water you will need before returning to Horombo two nights from now. Our destination for this leg of the climb is Kibo huts, a stone blockhouse in the barren Alpine desert with bunk beds for 60, but no streams for water. (The camp office will have mineral water and soft drinks to buy) You will make your final ascent, just 3,921 ft. further, later tonight. For now, focus on preparing your equipment, ski stick and clothing. Fill your thermal flask with water. Replace your headlamp and camera batteries, with a spare set packed. Once you are confident that all is ready, bed down around 7 pm and get the precious rest you will need.
Hiking time: 6 hrs. / Distance: 9.3 miles
Habitat: Alpine desert

Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Overnight: Kibo Huts   

Kibo is a basecamp set in the Kilimanjaro National Park. Climbers set camp here before leaving for Uhuru Peak. Accommodation at Kibo is provided in lodge-like housing that caters to 60 people. All rooms feature bunk beds, accommodating up to 6 people. Other services and facilities include a

Day 06: Kibo Huts (15,419 ft.) – Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft.) – Horombo Huts (12,205 ft.)

Day Itinerary

This is the moment — your summit attempt. After tea and biscuits in the darkness (you will rise at 11:30 pm on Day 6), you climb into the night. What lies ahead is no joke — the terrain is unforgiving, requiring great physical and mental effort. Ascend the rocky path to Hans Meter Cave at 16,896 ft. and take a short rest. The trail now zigzags its way up to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim, at 18,638 ft. You will no doubt make your final ascent in snowfall, but we guarantee that once you are standing on Africa’s highest point, the fire inside you will burn fierce, melting away any external conditions! How long you will have to snap photos and experience your well-earned euphoria will be out of your hands; the weather is in charge here. Once you begin your 3-hour descent (stopping at Kibo to pick up your gear), you will not believe how fast it will seem! At Horombo, with adrenaline still flowing, you will savour a bittersweet last dinner on the mountain. After hiking for 14 hours, though, we suspect that sleep that will be foremost in your mind.
Ascent time: 8 hrs. to Uhuru Peak
Descent time: 6 hrs. to Horombo Hut
Distance: 9.9-mile ascent, 13-mile descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Meal Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Overnight: Horombo Huts & Campsite

The Horombo Huts & Campsite is set along the Marangu Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This site can accommodate up to 120 campers spread across a mix of cabins and tents. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, a dining area, and a rangers office. Guests will also have access to an abundant water source near the campsite.

Day 07: Horombo Huts (12,205 ft.) – Marangu Gate (6,496 ft.) Moshi Town (2,985 ft)

Day Itinerary

We trust you slept well. This morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast and begin your six-hour descent in quite a different state of mind, passing the Mandara Huts and landing at the Marangu Gate. After checking in at the gate, successful climbers receive summit certificates, as tangible testimony to their triumph. All climbers collect their gear, square up with the porters (be sure you and all your gear have reached the gate successfully before tipping) and are finally driven back to Moshi. Hot water has never enjoyed this status — your shower is sure to be transcendent! And your dinner celebration will be one for the scrapbook!
Hiking time: 6 hrs. / Distance: 16.8 miles

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight: Springlands Hotel   

Day 08: Moshi Town – JRO Int Airport / Arusha City

Day Itinerary

After breakfast, transfers to JRO Int Airport or your chosen hotel in Arusha City.

Meal Plan: Breakfast