6-Day Kilimanjaro Climbing - Marangu Route

Day by day

6 days in East Africa.

1. Day 1

   Nairobi – Arusha

   Depart Nairobi between 7:15 and 8am on the shuttle bus to Arusha, a drive of about four hours through the Namanga border with lunch en route on your own account. The afternoon is free to organise any gear you still need for the trek and to meet your guide for a briefing on the days ahead. Overnight in Arusha or Moshi on a bed-and-breakfast basis; lunch and dinner are your own arrangement.

   Overnight

   Charity Hotel, ArushaKibo Palace Hotel Arusha

   Meals

   None

2. Day 2

   Arusha – Mandara Hut

   After breakfast and a briefing, drive about 45 minutes to the Marangu Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park, complete registration and begin walking. The seven-kilometre first stage climbs through montane rainforest, gaining roughly 1,000 metres in four to five hours to the Mandara huts at 2,740 metres. Colobus monkeys and forest birds keep the canopy busy, and a short side trip to Maundi Crater is worth it for the view across northern Tanzania into Kenya. Dinner and overnight at Mandara.

   Overnight

   Mandara Hut (2,740 m)Mandara Hut (2,740 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   

3. Day 3

   Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut

   An hour or so above Mandara the forest gives way to open moorland and the path climbs steadily for 11 kilometres to the Horombo huts at 3,700 metres, a walk of six to eight hours. The peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo are in view for much of the day, with giant lobelias and groundsels beside the trail. This is where the altitude usually starts to be felt, so the guide keeps the pace slow and encourages plenty of water. Dinner and overnight at Horombo.

   Overnight

   Horombo Hut (3,700 m)Horombo Hut (3,700 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

4. Day 4

   Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut

   Pass the last watering point and cross the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi to the Kibo huts at 4,700 metres, ten kilometres in six to eight hours. The vegetation thins from upper heathland to nothing, leaving a bare alpine desert of rock and volcanic dust with Kibo's summit cone rising ahead. Dinner is early and the evening is spent resting and preparing equipment, because the summit climb starts around midnight.

   Overnight

   Kibo Hut (4,700 m)Kibo Hut (4,700 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

5. Day 5

   Kibo Hut –Summit – Horombo Hut

   Between midnight and 2am the climb to the summit begins by headlamp, up steep, heavy scree or snow to Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861 metres, a four- to seven-hour effort with many switchbacks and the hardest section of the trek. From there it is one to two hours around the rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 5,895 metres, with views at every turn. It is very cold until the descent begins. Come down to Kibo for lunch and a rest, then on to Horombo for dinner and overnight; the full day takes 10 to 15 hours.

   Overnight

   Horombo Hut (3,700 m)Horombo Hut (3,700 m)

   Meals

   Breakfast, lunch and dinner

   

6. Day 6

   Horombo Hut – Arusha Or Moshi

   After breakfast, descend 18 kilometres in five to seven hours through the moorland to Mandara and then through the forest to the Marangu Gate at 1,830 metres. Lower down the path can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are useful, and light clothing is enough with rain gear handy. A vehicle meets you at Marangu village for the drive back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Dinner is on your own account.

   Meals

   Breakfast

Your questions, answered.