Kilimanjaro trekking: Marangu Route

After your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you are greeted by our driver and taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Relax a little at your hotel or take an excursion to the nearby safari capital of Arusha (taxi required). During the day, the participants meet at the hotel for a detailed briefing and the equipment check.

After a hearty breakfast, the transfer to Marangu Gate takes place. From here you begin your climb. Your guide takes care of the registration and briefly explains once more how the coming days will be tackled. Afterwards you start the trek with the first 3- to 4-hour stage to the first hut. Through dense, lush montane rainforest you soon reach Mandara Hut, today’s stage destination at an altitude of 2,700 m. Overnight stay in a mountain hut.

After the first night on the mountain and a relaxed breakfast, a stage through heath and moorland awaits you today. Shortly after the start you reach the tree line. The goal of today’s 5- to 6-hour hike is Horombo Hut at 3,720 m. From here you can enjoy the wonderful view of the peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. Overnight stay in a mountain hut.

Today active acclimatisation is on the programme to increase your chances of reaching the summit. The first signs of the alpine zone are already visible on your ascent to the Zebra Rocks or to East Lava Hill, at the foot of the Mawenzi peak. Once there, you spend a little time at altitude to get your body used to it. You then descend again to Horombo Hut to spend another night there. Overnight stay in a mountain hut.

On the way to the next stage destination you pass the Last Water Point – the water source where your mountain crew “refuels” one last time. The route then runs for 5–6 hours through alpine desert landscape to Kibo Hut at 4,703 m. You have the Kibo summit in view throughout the hike. The hut is reached in the afternoon and there is still time for a hearty dinner. An early night is the order of the day, given tomorrow’s goal. Overnight stay in a mountain hut.

Now it is here, the day of decision. Around midnight you set off on the decisive summit stage. The goal is Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m and the unforgettable photos at the summit sign as the sun rises. You pass Hans Meyer Cave and, with the first rays of the sun, arrive at Gilman’s Point at 5,681 m. From here, a strong will and stamina are required to reward yourself with the summit photo on Uhuru Peak. You are now standing on the highest point in Africa with a breathtaking all-round view of the African continent. On the way back you take a short rest at Kibo Hut to gather a little strength for the further descent to Horombo Hut. Here, hopefully, the summit success can be celebrated a little. Overnight stay in a mountain hut.

After yesterday’s long and strenuous summit day, today you reach Marangu Gate in 5 to 6 hours. Here you say goodbye to your loyal mountain crew and are taken back to the hotel. After the longed-for hot shower, you can celebrate your summit success at length.

After breakfast and check-out, you continue your individual travel programme or receive a transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.