Kilimanjaro Climb - Marangu Route

DAY 1 – ARUSHA TO MARANGU GATE

After breakfast, you will be transferred  to Marangu Gate, the south-east entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park – a drive of around 2 hours from Arusha. On arrival at Marangu Gate, you will have time to check in and register before meeting your team of guides, cooks and bearers. Our climb will officially commence with a four-hour walk to the Mandara encampment. We will pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. Dinner and overnight will be at the Mandara Hut.

DAY-2- MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT.

Today’s stage takes you through the last stretch of woodland, and the vast expanse of heath soon opens up before you. As you walk, you can admire the ragged peaks of Mawenzi that rise up towards the African sky. We will walk through lower heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. We will get to enjoy some great views to Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo Crater. We will spend the night at Horombo Hut (3,720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone.

DAY-3- HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT.

After breakfast, we will hike through the moorland and the alpine desert region of Mount Kilimanjaro. After hiking for about an hour we will encounter a small mountain stream called the Maua River. The landscape here is scattered with large and small volcanic rocks, which testify to volcanic activity in years gone by. The last section of the route to Kibo Huts is quite steep and physically demanding. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. We will have dinner and overnight at the Kibo Hut.

DAY-4- KIBO HUT TO SUMMIT TO HOROMBO HUT.

The final leg of your journey is the ascent to Uhuru Peak which has been award the title ‘The Roof of Africa’. We will leave shortly after midnight and begin with the strenuous five-hour hike to Gillman;s Point on the crater rim. This is considered to be the least challenging of the three crater ascent paths but it is still an arduous hike. You will stop briefly at Gilman’s Point to enjoy the magnificent view before continuing along the rim of the crater to Uhuru. The last stretch of the climb features an even incline. Depending on the season, you may encounter snow on the last part of the route to Uhuru Peak, which is your final goal: the top of Kilimanjaro and the highest point in Africa. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak (5894m) at about 8:30 am. From there you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Huts where you will spend the night.

DAY-5_HOROMBO HUT to MARANGU GATE.

Today’s stage comprises a walk over the open heath to Mandara Huts, where lunch is served. From here, you will make your way through the rainforest to the entrance to the National Park. We advise that you watch your step as the trail can be fairly slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to drive you back to Arusha.

More on pricing;
1 pax travelling alone – USD 2,290 (CAD 3,010)
2-10 pax travelling together - USD 2,230 per person (CAD 2,931)
A group of more than 10pax – USD 1,900 per person (CAD 2,497)

Rates include:
• Airport return transfers
• Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb
• Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees and climbing permits.
• Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
• Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
• Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
• Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
• Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by the Kilimanjaro National Park
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
• Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress
• Water for washing up daily
• Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next camp.
• Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
• A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack

Rates exclude:
• Flights and airport taxes
• Items of a personal nature
• Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$ 230 (CAD 302) to US$ 300 (CAD 394) per hiker – depending on the number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen)
• Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if travelling to Tanzania recommended)
• Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
• Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania