6 Days Marangu Route Climbing Kilimanjaro

Overview

Day by day itinerary

1. 1Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut⌄

   On your first day of your trekking, you hike through dense rainforest, though at points there are openings in the vegetation that offer views of the farmlands which cover the base of the mountain outside of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The day’s trail ends at Mandara Hut, where you overnight. Elevation:6100ft to 8875ft Distance:8 km Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat:Montane Fores

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Mandara Hut

2. 2Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut⌄

   On your second day of trek you will have through more beautiful rainforest, but soon the forest gives way to the moorland. The snowcapped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen. After trekking for five to six hours you reach Horombo Hut, where you stay for the overnight. Elevation:8875ft to 12,200ft Distance:12 km Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat:Heathland

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Horombo Hut

3. 3Horombo Hut To Mawenzi Ridge To Horombo Hut⌄

   On Third day of the mountain climbing, you can be split into two parts: a climb to Mawenzi Ridge, followed by a return to Horombo Hut. The reason for this is that it’s in keeping with the ‘climb high, sleep low’ strategy which helps your body to acclimatize properly to the increased elevation. This part of the day’s trek sees you climb from Horombo Hut up into the heath zone of Kilimanjaro. The turning point of the climb comes when you reach the horseshoe-shaped Mawenzi ridge. As already mentioned, climbing high and then sleeping low is an important acclimatization strategy. Elevation:12,205 ft Distance:4km Hiking Time: 3 hours Habitat:Healthland

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Horombo Hut

4. 4Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut⌄

   On Day four you traverse the so-called Saddle, a five-mile stretch of rubble and emptiness that connects the craters of Mawenzi and Kibo. You spend the night at Kibo Hut. Elevation:12,200ft to15,500ft Distance:9km Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat:Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Kibo Hut

5. 5Kibo Hut To Uhuru Peak To Horombo Hut⌄

   The first part of day five, you strike out for the summit! Your guide wakes you up around midnight to get ready for the ascent. Today is usually the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire Kilimanjaro climb. The route ascends northwest into the dark night. Within about six hours you reach Stella Point and enjoy the sunrise. After that, you trek for about another hour on a snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) at the very top of Africa! After reaching the summit, you descend to Horombo Hut for the night. Having hiked for about 12 Hours Elevation:15,500ft to 19,340ft Distance:9 km / 15 km Hiking Time: 6-8 hours Habitat:Alpine Desert

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch · Dinner

   Overnight: Horombo Hut

6. 6Horombo Hut To Marangu Gate⌄

   Today you do the last hiking down to the foot of the mountain, where your driver is waiting for you. Time for a beer and a great celebration. Elevation:12,250 ft to 5500ft Distance:20 km Hiking Time:4-5 hours Habitat:Rain Forest

   Meals: Breakfast · Lunch