Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu Route

Overnight flight from London to Kilimanjaro Airport

You will be met off your flight and driven to Arumeru Lodge outside Arusha, which has views of Kilimanjaro. Enjoy the day resting in the beautiful gardens and refreshing swimming pool. In the evening you will be served an excellent three course dinner before retiring to bed for a good night's sleep before the start of your climb the following day.

After an early breakfast you will be driven to Kilimanjaro National Park and Marangu Gate where you will meet your guide and porters who will accompany you up the mountain.

The ascent then begins through the rain forest which can be quite damp and muddy at times. Be on the look out for wildlife along the way including black & white colobus monkeys. It takes 3-4 hours to reach Mandera Hut which sits at 2700 meters where you will enjoy dinner a good sleep in one of the wooden huts.

Duration: 3 to 4 hours

Distance: 12 kilometers

Terrain: - Montane Forest

Following breakfast you will begin the ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland passing the Maundi Crater where it is possible to climb up to the rim for a spectacular view of Kibo Crater. On the way there are a number of exotic plants to see in the moorland habitat. These include giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut at 3720 meters. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner cooked by the chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.

Duration: 6 hours

Distance: 15 kilometers

Terrain: - Moorland

At Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to adjust to high altitude. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending on your preference for the day.

Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut (4700m). The upper route (located to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour shorter).

Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night so an early night is recommended.

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Alpine desert

Your guide will wake you around 23:30 with tea and biscuits ahead of your ascent to the summit. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m) which can be a bit of a scramble. The ascent continues steeply over rocky ground to Gillman’s point (5681m) which, together with the high altitude makes this section quite a challenge. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro will be a momentous feeling and a real achievement.

You will be able to spend a short time at the summit taking photos, and having a cup of warming tea before the trek back to Kibo Hut which takes 3 hours. At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut where you will have a welcome dinner, be able to have a good wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a long an exhausting day.

Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)

Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo

Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Following a well-deserved breakfast there will be a small celebration with the staff before your descent back to Marangu Gate (1980m) taking about 6 hours. At the gate those who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will be driven back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

You will be met by a driver and taken back to Arumeru Lodge and dinner and overnight.

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 27 kilometers

Enjoy a well earned day of rest at Arumeru Lodge before heading home on an overnight flight from Kilimanjaro Airport to London.