Mount Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa, making it one of the seven summits. Here are the seven summits in order from highest to lowest.

Asia: Everest (29,035’/8850m)
South America: Aconcagua (22,834’/6960m)
North America: Denali (20,310’/6,190m)
Africa: Kilimanjaro (19,340’/5895m)
Europe: Elbrus (18,513’/5642m)
Oceania: Carstensz Pyramid (16,023’/4884m)

Kilimanjaro is very popular with both experienced hikers and first time adventurers because it is considered to be the easiest of the seven summits. Scaling the mountain requires no technical skills or equipment, such as rope, harness, crampons or ice axe. Therefore, it is a hiking or “walk up” peak, not a mountaineering or climbing peak.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

Overview

The 6 days Marangu Route itinerary with its longer acclimatization is preferable if this is to be your first climb. Those who climb Kilimanjaro on Marangu can look forward to a trek that covers the distance of 64 km (40 miles) with comfortable conditions resulting in a 92% success rate for the longer program.

Day 1 :

ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI

Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day's trek then your mountain guide will check Welcome to Tanzania: your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.

MEALS
Dinner
ACCOMMODATION
Keys Hotel

Day 2 :

MARANGU GATE (1980M) – MANDARA HUT (2700M)

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Marangu gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Mandara Huts in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight.

Your Marangu Route 5 Days starts today.

MEALS
Full Board
ACCOMMODATION
Mandara Huts

Day 3 :

MANDARA HUT (2700M) TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)

Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m). Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.

MEALS
Full Board
ACCOMMODATION
Horombo Huts

Day 4 :

HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO KIBO HUT (4700M)

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. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. 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. Get to sleep by 19:00!

MEALS
Full Board
ACCOMMODATION
Kibo Huts

Day 5 :

SUMMIT ATTEMPT (FROM KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK (5895M) THEN DOWN TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)

Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. 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 is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 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 (3720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

Summit attempt of Marangu Route 5 Days.

MEALS
Full Board
ACCOMMODATION
Horombo Huts

Day 6 :

HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO MARANGU GATE (1980M)

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

End of Marangu Route 5 Days

MEALS
Full Board
ACCOMMODATION
Keys Hotel

Day 7 :

DEPARTURE

After breakfast, you will be transferred to your departure point for your flight back home.

You can extend your stay by going on a Tanzania safari or relaxing on Zanzibar beach.

MEALS
Breakfast
ACCOMMODATION
None