6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing, Marangu Route

Dar 1: Arrival Day

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport our guide will pick up and transfer you to Peace Hotel in Arusha for last minutes gears check and overnight

Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha, 1400 m and driven to the Marangu Gate 1980 m. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park Tanapa. You will then begin your ascent into the rain forest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of ascending, you will reach the Mandara Hut 2700 m. Each hut has 6-8 sleeping bunks (sleeps 60 hikers total) with solar generated lighting. Next to the central hut there are flush toilets. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rain forest and into the heathen moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundswell. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut 3720 m. Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Acclimatization day

Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimate to high altitude. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut 4600 m for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending on your preference for the day.

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut 4700 m

Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut 4700 m. The upper route located to the right of the fork is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance. Kibo Hut is located in the Saddle which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00.

Day 6: Summit Attempt

Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave 5150 m. You continue your ascent to Gillman's point 5681 m. reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman's is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak 5895 m. reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment, you will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours. At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut 3720 m. You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chefs and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate 1980m. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman's Point 5681 m receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak 5895 m receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Peace Hotel in Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Day 8: Departure Day

At any time depend on your schedule will transfer you to airport