Marangu Route: 8 Days

Day 1: Arrival – Moshi
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International airport. Meet Massawe Adventures at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi Lodge. Overnight Massawe Adventure Lodge.

Day 2: Local Tour
After breakfast, you will be met by Massawe Adventures staff with a private vehicle and taken to the beautiful Materuni waterfalls. You will then explore the indigenous Chagga culture and village. Followed by a coffee production tour. Afterwards, you will be driven back to the Moshi Lodge. Overnight Massawe Adventure Lodge.

Day 3: Marangu Gate (1,830m/6,000ft) to Mandara Huts (2,700m/8,900ft)
Elevation Gain: 870 metres / 2,900 feet
This morning you will be met by your head guide. Leave Moshi and drive for approximately 45 minutes to the Marangu gate. After registration, begin trekking through the lush undisturbed forest where you may be lucky enough to see Colobus monkeys. The path gradually climbs to your camp at Mandara Huts, a trek taking approximately 4 to 5 hours. Mandara Huts are a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar-generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut. The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. Alternatively, simply rest and enjoy the beautiful forest around you.

Day 4: Mandara Huts (2,700m/8,900ft) to Horombo Huts (3,720m/12,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,020 metres / 3,300 feet
From the Mandara Huts, the trail climbs steeply through a short stretch of forest, soon emerging into a grassy moorland. On a clear day, you will catch your first glimpse of Kibo, the summit cone of Kilimanjaro, and the jagged second peak Mawenzi. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional groundsel which can reach heights of up to 5 metres. After around 4 to 6 hours of walking today, you will reach the hut complex at Horombo where you will have hot washing water, dinner and stay overnight. Horombo is a village of huts perched on a small plateau with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers!

Day 5: Horombo Huts (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Huts (4,700m/15,400ft)
Elevation Gain: 980 metres / 3,200 feet
After breakfast you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert, heading towards the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi. The terrain is much more open here and there is a palpable sense of high-altitude wilderness. You will arrive at camp for lunch giving you the afternoon to rest before your summit attempt.

Day 6: Kibo Camp (4,700m/15,400ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,195 metres / 3,940 feet
Elevation Loss: 2,175 metres / 7,140 feet
Around midnight, we begin the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. For the next six hours, hiking by the light of your flashlight. The ascent to the crater rim is the most challenging part of the entire trek. The trail is very steep until you reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point. The hike from Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and, as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. After summit celebrations, you will descend to Kibo Huts. You will eat here before continuing your descent to Horombo Huts. This will seem surprisingly fast. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening enjoy your last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 7: Horombo Huts (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,830m/6,000ft)
Elevation Loss: 1,890 metres / 6,200 feet
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. This trek will take approximately 5-6 hours. At the gate, you will be met and transferred back to Moshi.

Day 8: Departure – Moshi
Optional exploration of the town/souvenir shopping trip and other experiences are available depending on the client’s areas of interest. Massawe Adventures will ensure the client is transported to Kilimanjaro International airport in time for departure.

Additional Costs:
The Hiring of clothing, sleeping mats, sleeping bags, walking poles etc.
Tipping to your guides, cook and porters

The standard recommendation for this is USD$20 per day to the head guide, $15 per day to the assistant guide, $15 per day to the cook and $10 per day per porter. These costs are split between everyone doing the climb.