Why this itinerary?
For those that can’t bear sleeping in a tent or during the wettest months, the Marangu route remains a good choice. It is, however, very busy and does not see as much of the mountain as western routes.
Description
The original route up Kilimanjaro remains a popular choice for many visitors. Accommodation is in shared huts with bunk beds and the ascent is via Gilman’s point on the rim of the Kibo volcano. This route descends the same way it ascends.
Highlights
Kilimanjaro: afromontane forest, Mawenzi, glacial valleys and alpine desert, ascent of Kibo and possible views of Kibo caldera and ash pit. Glaciers and the roof of Africa!
Day 1: KILIMANJARO - MANDARA
In the morning you are met by your guides and transfer to Marangu gate to complete formalities before setting off on your Kilimanjaro hike. A picnic lunch is taken on route and in the afternoon you arrive at Mandara Hut. A short walk can be taken to Maundi crater in the afternoon.
Dinner and Overnight Mandara Hut (Full board).
Day 2: KILIMANJARO - HOROMBO
After breakfast you set out to Horombo hut. The altitude gain today is significant and so a gentle pace is ideal to slowly gain altitude. By mid afternoon you reach camp and can relax. You have another night here to adjust to the altitude.
Dinner and Overnight Horombo Hut (Full board).
Day 3: KILIMANJARO - HOROMBO
Today is a essentially an acclimatization day. To improve your acclimatization you head out for the day on a hike to higher altitude which takes you towards the Mawenzi volcano. If the weather is fine the views once at the half way point of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo are spectacular. Behind you the deeply eroded Mawenzi peak is linked forever by the glacially smoothed saddle to Kibo, the main peak. The younger Mawenzi has been continually eroded for at least 400,000 years whilst Kibo has continued to grow and remains dormant to this day. In the afternoon you return to Horombo hut to relax.
Dinner and Overnight Horombo hut (Full board).
Day 4: KILIMANJARO - KIBO
You start off early to the final hut before the summit attempt. Your crew ensures that water is collected at the last water point whilst you progress slowly up onto the saddle. Here desolate alpine zone stretches out towards the base of Kibo. Progress is slow in this hypoxic (low oxygen) environment but by mid afternoon you reach Kibo hut to relax before the evening ascent. A relatively early dinner is taken and then you climb into your sleeping bags for some rest before your night time departure for the summit.
Dinner and Overnight Kibo Hut (Full board).
Day 5: KILIMANJARO - HOROMBO
Rising early normally before midnight you start out from Kibo hut towards the peak. At night time the scree sections are normally much firmer and the night time start enables the best chance of a clear summits attempt. It takes around 6 hours to reach Gilman’s point and then a further 11/2 to 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, the highest free standing point in the world and the highest point in Africa. You then descend the same route before a short stop at Kibo hut for a food refuel and rest. By the evening you descend back down to Horombo hut for dinner and overnight. Overnight Horombo Hut (Full board).
Day 6: KILIMANJARO - END
The final descent takes you back through the heath zone and forest to the Marangu gate. Here you are met by drivers and transferred back to your hotel for a well deserved shower and celebratory dinner.
END OF SERVICES
Items included:
Arrival and departure airport transfers.
Kilimanjaro entry fees.
Camping (hut) fees.
Transfer to and from the mountain.
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes.
Salaries for Kilimanjaro support staff.
All meals on the mountain.
Sleeping Tents or hut camping.
Sleeping mattresses.
Cooking and eating utensils.
Items not included:
Tips for guides and support staff.
Sleeping bag and personal items.
Private portable toilet and privacy tent.
Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
Extra activities.
