8 DAY TOUR OVERVIEW.
THE MARANGU ROUTE is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way, due to a shorter acclimatization period.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success. Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route. All your equipment and supplies are pottered and a cook prepares all your meals.
After Trekking Mount Kilimanjaro also this tour will take you to the Lake Manyara National Park:one of Tanzania’s most dramatically located wildlife areas, consisting of a shallow but huge soda lake, located at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. The size of the park makes it perfect for a one-day game drive and is notably famous for it’s tree-climbing lions. Finally this tour will take you to the Ngorongoro Crater and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, featuring one of the highest concentrations of game and arguably the densest population of predators and carnivores in Africa. Here you will witness an amazing spectacle of African wildlife – inside a self-contained world teeming with animals.
Marangu Route.
Duration of climb: 5 – 6 days.
The main itinerary difference between the Marangu 5 day and 6 day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Horombo Hut.
Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.
Distance: 45Km
Welcome to Tanzania. Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you will meet your safari guide/driver transfer to Arusha city to Green Mountain Hotel for dinner and overnight. (45 km, 43 minutes)
- Hours:43 Minutes
- Meals: Dinner and Overnight.
- Accommodation:Green Mountain Hotel-Semi Luxury Accommodation
- Guide: Professional English guide or other requested by the client.
- Kids allowed:3+
- Difficulties: Low
Day 01: Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m).
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 8.1 km
Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 1 hour. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you, as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers.
Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found.
An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either after 1.5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, consisting of 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. Dinner is prepared by our cook and served in a communal dining mess.
Day 02: Mandara hut (2715m) – Horombo hut (3705m).
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 11.6 km
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.
Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours trek from here, you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have a hot bowl of washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.
Day 03: Horombo hut (3705m) – Acclimatization day.
Hiking time: 4 ½ h
Distance: Approximately 7 km uphill / 7 km downhill
Habitat: Alpine desert
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here.
This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut (4 310m), passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.
Day 04: Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m).
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 9.6 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) should be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day (on your acclimatization hike) towards Mawenzi hut. This section is very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!
Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut.
The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Day 05: Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m).
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Day 06: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m).
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!
Day 07: Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park.
Distance: 124km
Non – game viewing time : 2 – 3 hrs
After breakfast to your hotel at Arusha the tour departs to Lake Manyara. Lake Manyara National Park is one of Tanzania’s most dramatically located wildlife areas, consisting of a massive but shallow soda lake (covering two-thirds of the park) at the foot of the Great Rift Valley’s western escarpment. The park’s varied habitat attracts a wide variety of African animals as Buffalo, Wildebeest, Zebra, Hippo including one of Africa’s largest concentrations of elephants, Manyara’s famous tree-climbing lions, as well as large flocks of flamingos, attracted by the algae in the lake.Late afternoon drive back to your campsite for Dinner and Overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast. Lunch and Dinner.
- Accommodation:Kudu Campsite- Budge Camping Accommodation
- Guide: Professional English guide or other requested by the client.
- Kids allowed:3+
- Difficulties: Low
Day 08: Ngorongoro Crater to Arusha.
Distance:210 Km
Non game-viewing travel time: 4 hours
After an early breakfast the tour will depart to Ngorongoro Crater. You will descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife. The Ngorongoro Crater is the largest, unbroken and unfolded caldera in the world and it has an unbelievable diversity of wildlife. In addition to zebras and wildebeests, you might also spot the rare black rhino and other members of the “Big Five” – lion, elephant, buffalo, rhino and leopard. The crater is also home to other animals such as hyenas, water bucks, bush bucks, eland and more than 500 bird species. After an extensive game drive and a picnic lunch you will leave the caldera in the early afternoon and drive back to Arusha, where you will arrive in the early evening to your hotel or drive off to Airport.
Price including VAT
Items included:
- Accommodation before and during Safari.
- All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping / hut fees and climbing permits.
- Transportation in 4×4 safari vehicle
- Hotel storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes.
- Professional, English speaking guide
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mat, camp chairs), camp tables, mess tent & cutlery for meals) – not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals are served at the camps in designated dining halls.
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt.
- Mineral water
- A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro Travel Information pack
- Overnight Accommodation as requested.
- Airport Transfer
- All national park fees
Items not included:
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips to Driver/Guide $20/group/Day
- Personal spending monies for souvenirs etc.
- Optional but highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
- Travel insurance
- Health requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but comes recommended)
- Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets.
- Personal hiking/trekking gear – you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania.