Kilimanjaro - marangu route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport JRO, you will meet one of our company staff, then transfer to the hotel in Moshi or c. In the same evening, the mountain guide will meet you for the briefing. Overnight at Moshi Leopard Hotel or Arusha Outpost Lodge, or in any similar hotel, bed and breakfast included.

Take a short drive from Moshi or Arusha town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m) lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby, and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich bird life at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well.

The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning, the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds.

Through Desert Saddle we climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to screed and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday and the afternoon is free (to contemplate the summit ascent!!). The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night!

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up at Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over loose volcanic screen, but there are some well-graded zig-zag and a slow but steady pace will have us up to Gillman’s (5,685 m) in about five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast and we return to Horombo Hut for the night.

We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gate. At the park gate, meet the driver and transfer to Moshi or Arusha town, overnight at Moshi Leopard Hotel, Arusha Outpost Lodge or in any similar hotel, bed and breakfast included.

The day for airport transfer on time as indicated in the flight ticket.