- Overview
- Trip Outline
- Trip Includes
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- FAQ
The Marangu route is used by almost 50% of all climbers and has comfortable mountain huts with solar power lighting. Although the trail is crowded, the views are beautiful and each day of walking progresses through a different climate zone, adding considerably to the interest of the trek. The real highlight is the walk from Gillman’s point along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area.
The views on a clear morning are absolutely magnificent – The Rift Valley, Mt. Meru, and the Masai Steppes stand out from the plains almost three vertical miles below as the sun rises behind Mawenzi. We also add an extra day to the standard five day itinerary to ensure maximum acclimatisation and give ourselves the best possible chance of enjoying the magnificent scenery. National Park statistics indicate that the chance of reaching the summit increases by at least 20% if an extra day is spent acclimatising. The extra day is used to make an interesting excursion towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi.
Itineraries
Day 1
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Once signed in at the park and final preparations are complete, we start ascending a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest. Our first night is at Mandara Hut camp set in a forest clearing. This camp consists of a group of wooden A-framed huts and flush toilets behind the main hut.
Distance: 7 km Hiking
Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Overnight: Mandara Hut Camp
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 2
Mandara Huts to Horombo Hut
In the morning we leave camp and trek through a short stretch of forest through to moorland, circumventing the base of the Maundi Crater. In the afternoon we will reach the Horombo Hut where will we stay overnight
Distance: 12 km Hiking
Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 3
Acclimatization At Horombo Hut
A day here provides an opportunity for you to acclimatize gradually to the altitude. There are a few walks you can make in the vicinity of the hut – the most popular of which is to the base of Mawenzi Peak, the dramatic eastern summit of Kili. This walk takes four to five hours (round trip), and will get you to an altitude of 4048m before you return to the hut – this will stand you in good stead later on.
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 4
Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut
Today we continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone to Kibo Hut. This afternoon we will have an early dinner, prepare your personal gear for the summit and then get some sleep. Our summit trek starts around midnight.
Distance: 10 km Hiking
Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 5
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
You will be woken around 23:30 pm, and after a hot breakfast, we will start our final summit. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to Hans Meyer point (5250m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5681m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of screens. From Gillman’s Point, we could encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. After taking photos at the summit we start the 3 hours of descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest, we pack up all your personal gear and trek down to Horombo Hut (3 hours). Tonight is our last night on the mountain.
Distance: 21 km Hiking
Time: 6 - 7 hours
Habitat: screed and ice-capped summit and Moorland
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
Day 6
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
This morning we make our final descent down to Marangu Gate where we started. You will be taken for lunch and here you will receive your summit certificate to commemorate your great achievement. We will then drive you back to your hotel where we will say our farewell.
Distance: 18 km Hiking
Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included.
- Accommodation before and after the climb
- Qualified guides with mountain crew
- National park fees
- Hut/camping fees and tents
- Tents foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and (Cutlery / Crockery) eating utensils.
- Rescue fees (required by the National Park)
- Pulse oximeters
- First aid kit
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
- Boiled water on the mountain
- Airport transfers (JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airports)
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
- Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain
- Gear for your climb, Some equipment is available for rent!
- Items of personal nature (expenses)
- Guides, Porters, Cook & Waiters tips
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (eg sleeping bags)
- Emergency Oxygen
- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included
- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit).
- Visa fees & travel insurance.
- Flight tickets.
The climb to Kilimanjaro is not a technical climb. No mountaineering equipment is require to summit Kilimanjaro. Anyone in good physical condition can reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Our mountain crews are in constant radio communication with us via ICOM radios so if anything goes wrong on your trekking we are informed. Also, the cell reception on the mountain has improved so we can effectively communicate with our teams using mobile phones.
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the dry season, i.e., from June to early November and from December to end of March. However with changing weather patterns, the chances of getting a clear sky during your climb in November and April is rare.
Yes we do have a kit list of all the items you will require for your climb. You can rent sleeping bags, parkas, gaiters, trekking poles, etc. Just e-mail us your list of needs, and we will reserve these items for provide you upon your arrival.
No, you are not required to bring filtering systems or purification tablets, our climbing staff will provide you with plenty of purified drinking water during your trek.
Yes. The price also contains the salary of a porter, who is assigned to carry the oxygen tanks during your summit attempt.
The symptoms of altitude sickness can appear while climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, in all climbers irrespective of their age and/or fitness level. Due to which, most climbers choose to use Diamox (Acetazolamide), a medication that diminishes headache, tiredness, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath which occur when climbing to high altitudes. Side effects include a tingling sensation in fingertips and on the face, and frequent urination.
Anybody who are able to run for at least half an hour without feeling shortness of breath. You should also be able to walk for at least 2 hours in hilly terrains without feeling overly exhausted. No one with a sore throat, cold of breathing problems should go beyond 3000m. However, anybody with heart or lung problems should consult his/her physician before attempting to climb Mt Kilimanjaro.
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