Kilimanjaro 5 Days Marangu Route

Day 1: Arrival Day

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), a Nature Horizons team member will be waiting to greet you. We will transfer you to your hotel accommodation for your first night, where you will meet your safari guide that you will be with for the remainder of your tour. Once you are settled in your hotel, you will receive a briefing on our tour. You can now relax at your hotel. Your trek to the roof of Africa starts tomorrow! As always, if you need anything or would like to head out into town, your guide will be there to assist you 24/7. Welcome to Africa!

Day 2: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate, Hike to Mandara Hut

After breakfast and your briefing, we will drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about one hour), register, and commence the climb. We will walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surrounding areas, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birds, and Colobus monkeys.

• Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
• Distance: 8km/5mi
• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Montane Forest
• Meals: LD

Day 3: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

• Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
• Distance: 12km/7.5mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Heathland
• Meals: BLD

Day 4: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point as we walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with the upper heathland but then disappears into a “moonscape.” We will then have dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

• Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
• Distance: 9km/5.5mi
• Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: BLD

Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here, we descend, stopping for lunch at Kibo before continuing to the Horombo encampment.

The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most challenging part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly and having an optimistic attitude will get you there!

• Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
• Down to 3700m/12,200ft
• Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
• Meals: BLD

Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Moshi

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through the moorland and into the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a lush forest path to the national park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).

• Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
• Distance: 20km/12.5mi
• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
• Habitat: Forest
• Meals: B

Day 7: Departure Day

Today is the day that you say goodbye to your team. Congratulations, you just hiked the highest freestanding mountain on planet Earth and the tallest mountain in Mama Africa. Nature Horizons could not be happier that we lead you to the top. You will remember these memories for the rest of your life. Upon waking up today, your guide will be with you until you need to leave for Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Price includes:

• Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your Accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi
• Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees
• Camping fees
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• Oxygen cylinder
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• All camping equipment
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
• 3 hot meals a day while on the mountain
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
• Hot water for washing
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO) Government taxes
• Ox meter
• Emergency first-aid kit

Price Excludes:

• Lunches, dinners, and drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
• Travel insurance
• Flights
• Laundry (Available at the hotel)
• Personal items and toiletries
• Tips for guides, porters, and cook