5 Days Marangu Route

Description

The downside to that it’s doesn’t provide as much of an opportunity to acclimatize to the altitude. Because of this, Marangu route has the highest failure rate of any of the routes up Mount Kilimanjaro. Keep that in mind when choosing this option for your Kilimanjaro trek. The Marangu Route is also the only route that uses the same path going up and coming back down. That means that while the trail is a scenic one, trekkers will experience the same sites going up as they do going back down. And because it has traffic going both directions, Marangu can also get overly crowded at times too.

Highlights	This is also the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every campsite with solar lights and comfortable beds. The huts are communal, and the bunks have a sponge mattress and pillow. All climbing groups, often from several countries around the world, share meals in dining huts providing a jovial and energetic atmosphere. Bathrooms and running water are available at the two lower huts. Mens’ and ladies' latrines are available at the last camp but are very basic.
Includes	Dedicated Customer Satisfaction Associate Airport pick-up and drop-off Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb Breakfast before and after the climb All meals and water on the mountain All park fees and taxes Transportation to and from the hotel and trailhead Tents (3-person mountaineering tent) Sleeping mat Private toilet tent Support team (certified guides, porters, and cooks) Kilimanjaro SAR evacuation insurance
Excludes	Airfare to and from Tanzania Personal travel insurance Visa Tips for the support team Sleeping bags and other personal gear Rental gear Lunch and dinner at the hotel Drinks and snacks

Location Map

Tour Timeline

1

Day 1: Marangu Gate- (1980m) – Mandara Hut

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400) and drive to Marangu Gate (1980). The drive to Marangu takes approximately 2 hours. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongs for the trek while your guide is doing some registration with the Tanzania National Park. After registration, you will then begin the ascent into the rain forest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. And also keep your eyes open for wildlife, including Colobus monkey ! After 3-4 hours of ascending you will reach Mandara Hut (2700m). The A frame Mandara Hut can accommodate up to seven people, and the area is consist of several sleeping huts and dining area. After evening tea with snacks, as part of acclimatization program (go higher sleep low policy), you can always take a short evening walk to Mahundi Crater and return to the hut for dinner and overnight At night, mountain temperature may drop to freezing point so be prepared!

Elevation: 5500ft/ 1700m to 9000ft/ 2,740m

Distance: 7km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Mountane Forest
2

Day 2 : Mandara Hut (2700m) - Horombo (3720m)

After breakfast, Leave Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro forest for Horombo hut. Most of the day’s hike will be through Kilimanjaro’s Moorland, a rocky landscape with desert lake plants. After 6 hours of hiking, we will reach Horombo Hut and spend the rest of afternoon relaxing. Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered to be the nicest on Kilimanjaro. The small A- frame buildings can accommodate up to eight people each, and provide lodging for hikers, ascending, descending and acclimatizing.

Horombo can accommodate up to one hundred hikers and all the porters, cooks and guides for all the trekkers lodging there.

Elevation: 90,00ft /2,700m to 12,100ft/3,700m

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Heathland
3

Day 3: Horombo (3720m) - Kibo Hut (4700m)

After breakfast, you leave Horombo to hike through the Moorland and Alpine desert of Kilimanjaro’s upper altitudes. Hikers have two options of trails to get to Kibo Hut (2700m). The upper route (located to the right of the folk) is the same trail used the previous day for the Day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of thefolk) is more popular route because of a shorter hiking distance (one hour shorter).

Elevation: 12,100 ft/3,700 m to 15,400ft/4700m

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert
4

Day 4: Kibo Hut (4700) - Uhuru Peak (5895) - Horombo (3720m)

Your guide will wake you up 23-23:30 for tea and snacks. You will then begin your summit attempt. The hike begins with 5 hours hike to Gillman’s point on the crater rim (5681m). Reaching this section is quite an achievement as the trails is steep, rocky and zigzag at a high altitude. Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend short time on the summit taking photos and having some victorious celebration, before descent to Kibo Hut 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 lunch, you will start your journey back down to Horombo Hut (3720m). After getting there, you will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a very long and strenuous day.

Elevation: 15,400 ft/4,700m to 19,300ft/5,895m

Distance: 6km up/16km down

Hiking Time: 10-15 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert
5

Day 5: Horombo (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m) - Arusha

After a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will prepare for you a big celebration of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guides, cook, and porters. After the celebration, you will descent for about 6 hours back to Marangu gate (1980m). The trek down from Horombo to Marangu Gate takes about 6-8 hours. At the gate you will be required to sign your names to receive your victorious certificates. The car will be there waiting to take you back to Arusha for long overdue shower and more celebration.

Elevation: 12,100ft/ 3,700 m to 5,500ft/ 1,700m

Distance: 20 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Forest