Mt Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu Route – TKMAR
The Marangu route, the most popular of Mt Kilimanjaro climb routes, will have you trekking on the mountain for 5 days. 2 nights are spent in a hotel, one night before your climb and one after. Located in Tanzania, at the northern border with Kenya, Mt Kilimanjaro is the peak of Africa, at 5895 metres or 19,341 ft. On your trek, you will pass through lush forests, moorland and a high altitude desert. The accommodation on the way up and down is provided in mountain huts with all the basic necessities. The climb usually takes 5 days/4nights for the round trip. Opt to add acclimatization with an extra day at Horombo Hut.
Other Mount Kilimanjaro Climb routes – Machame, Rongai, Umbwe, Lemosho Shira
Itinerary
Day 1 Moshi
Enjoy overnight stay at your hotel in Moshi as you prepare for the challenge of conquering Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day 2 Mandara Hut 2750m
Transfer from your hotel to Park Headquarters at Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. Climb of Marangu Route will officially commence with a four hour walk to the Mandara encampment passing through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. Spend the night at Mandara Hut (2,750m). This is a group of comfortable, wooden A-frame huts. The largest cabin has a downstairs dining area and an upstairs dormitory with bunk beds and mattresses; smaller huts sleep 8 each. The total capacity is 60. Water is piped into site from springs above and flush toilets are behind the main cabin.
Day 3 Horombo Hut 3720m
Continue our ascent through the forest before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3,000m (approximately a six-hour walk). Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. We spend the night at Horombo Hut (3,720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel. The buildings are similar to Mandara, but total capacity is 120. Water is piped from the stream behind the huts.
There are platform toilets south-east of the main hut, about 80 m down the slope and new flush toilets have been built within the complex of small huts.
Day 4 Kibo Hut 4703m
Our trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4,000m). Once we cross the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. This seven-hour walk will be taken at a slow pace.
We will spend the night at Kibo Hut (4,703m), a comfortable stone construction (no running water at Kibo Hut). This semi-desert zone receives an annual rainfall of under 250mm. The ground often freezes at night, but ground temperatures soar to above 30 degrees Celsius by day. This stone built block house has a small dining-room and a number of dormitory rooms with bunk beds and mattresses for 60 people.
Day 5 Summit and Horombo Hut 5895m and 3720m
Shortly after midnight, we will commence our climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, for a chance of reaching the peak in time for sunrise. From Gilman’s Point, it is a further two-hour round trip along the crater’s edge to Uhuru Peak. Absorb the vista from the highest point in Africa. From Kilimanjaro’s summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we will spend our last night on the mountain.
Day 6 Moshi
Today’s descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. Next, from here, you will be transferred to the hotel to celebrate your achievement, enjoy dinner and overnight.
Day 7 Depart
Bask in the memories of your Mt Kilimanjaro accomplishment. Finally, we will transfer you back to Arusha or Kilimanjaro airport.
Mt Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Equipment and Services
High Altitude Climbing and Altitude Sickness
Other Mount Kilimanjaro Climb routes – Machame, Rongai, Umbwe, Lemosho Shira