Marangu Route

7 days—The top of Kilimanjaro

$1845-1890 USD

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Safari summary

About this tour

	Tour type	Set-date, set-itinerary, group
	Main focus	None
	Activity level	Easy activity
	Best months
	Countries	Tanzania
	Parks

Itinerary

Day 1

Arusha | Kilimanjaro

Day 1 Arrive in Kilimanjaro Airport/Arusha Town - Moshi Town You will be picked up from Arusha Town or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to Moshi town, commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 2

Kilimanjaro

Day 2 Moshi Town - Mandara Hut; Trek & Hike (Approx. 4 hrs) After breakfast and a short tour briefing from the guide, depart to the Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (it is a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the Marangu Gate). Upon registering with the park authorities, the climb will officially commence with a walk to the Mandara encampment. Pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. Spend the night at Mandara Hut (2,750 m), an attractive collection of buildings. Note: Bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 3

Day 3 Mandara Hut - Horombo Hut; Trek & Hike (Approx. 6 hrs) Today, continue your ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3,000 m. Enjoy the stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. Spend the night at Horombo Hut (3,720 m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, characteristic of this semi-alpine zone. Note: Bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 4

Kilimanjaro

Day 4 Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut; Trek & Hike (Approx. 7 hrs) The trek continues past the final watering point and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as you enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4,000 m). Once you cross the saddle, the 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 long walk will be taken at a slow pace. Tonight you will stay at Kibo Hut (4,703 m), a comfortable stone construction (no running water at Kibo Hut). This semi-desert zone receives an annual rainfall of under 250 mm; the ground often freezes at night, but ground temperatures soar to above 30 degrees Celsius by day. Few plants other than lichens and grasses survive in these conditions.

Day 5

Kilimanjaro

Day 5 Kibo Hut - Horombo Hut; Trek & Hike (Approx. 8-10 hrs) Shortly after midnight, start the climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Since it is easier to climb the slope to Gillman's Point (5,861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen, an early start for the hike improves your chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman'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 all the way to Horombo Hut where you will spend the last night on the mountain.

Day 6

Day 6 Horombo Hut - Moshi Town; Trek & Hike Today’s descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. From here, you will be transferred to a base Hotel in Moshi Town for dinner and the night.

Day 7

Arusha

Day 7 Moshi Town - Arusha, Departure After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town for your final departure. You may choose to extend your trip by clubbing this trek with a safari of your choice

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