The Marangu Route is the most popular route to climb this majestic mountain. Its ease and gradual ascents make this route the ideal trek for those of varying ages and physical abilities. Populated by a number of hikers year-round, the Marangu Route is easily completed in six days and nights are spent in huts along the path - all usually accommodating to visitors and offering bunk beds. Porters and guides help you along the way as you attempt to reach Uhuru Peak.
Detailed Itinerary
Day One: Moshi to Mandara Hut
From Arusha, depart for Mandara Hut via Marangu Gate. En route, trek through farmlands, the mountain's surrounding rainforests (often labeled the most beautiful area due to its paradoxical presence alongside the mountain). Emerge from the thick trees and ascend to Mandara Hut.
Overnight Accommodations: Mandara Hut (shared room with bunk bed) Meals Included: Lunch & dinner
Day Two: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
From Mandara Hut, continue your ascent through small forests and onto the foundation of the Maundi Crater – completely emerged from the mountain's surrounding rainforests and entering the moorlands. Here, there are opportunities to view the Kibo Volcano and its surrounding glaciers. Continue your day's trek onto Horombo Hut where the evening temperatures often dip down into freezing levels.
Overnight Accommodations: Horombo Hut (shared room with bunk bed)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Three: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Hut
At Horombo Hut, you will find a village feel with huts inhabited by fellow hikers and their respective guides, cooks and porters. From Horombo Hut, the path to Mawenzi Hut is a very gradual ascent and is vital to successfully, efficiently and safely acclimating yourself to the soon-to-be extremely high altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro. The trek here usually consists of journeying past Zebra Rocks en route to Mawenzi Hut.
Overnight Accommodations: Mawenzi Hut (shared room with bunk bed)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Four: Mawenzi Hut to Kibo Hut
This day reveals a more difficult side of the Kilimanjaro climb as you ascend to an elevation of 4700 meters and the air becomes considerably thinner. A series of ascents (5-7 hours, followed by another 2-hour trek) take participants past various landscapes – cacti and broad deserts – before arriving in a region known as "the saddle" (an area situated between Kibo and Mawenzi at an elevation of approximately 4700 meters). Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, there is time to make all necessary preparations needed to ensure that the next early morning/late night summit attempt is a success.
Overnight Accommodations: Kibo Hut (shared room with bunk bed)
Meals Included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Five: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Awake just before midnight and begin your summit attempt by first ascending to Hans Meyer Cane at an altitude of 5150 meters. After a brief (but much needed) rest, continue ascending to an elevation of 5680 meters at Gillman's Point where the remainder of the trek leading up to the summit is usually lined with snow-filled paths and extreme temperatures. Finally, climb to an elevation of 5895 meters at Uhuru Peak where you can remain for a short time. Extended periods of time spent at the summit are NOT recommended, so you should make your descent as soon as possible. A number of descents (usually done so in six hours total) are required to return to Kibo Hut (three hours) then Horombo Hut where the day's adventure will end.
Overnight Accommodations: Horombo Hut (shared room with bunk bed)
Meals included: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Day Six: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate - Arusha
From Horombo Hut, continue descending Kilimanjaro, passing Marangu Hut and finally exiting the park via Marangu Gate. Return to Arusha by overland vehicle and your conquest of Mount Kilimanjaro is complete.
Overnight Accommodations: None
Meals Included: Breakfast
NOTE: in the event that you require additional days during the trek/summit (due to exhaustion/weariness); you are required to pay $200 (per day) to the local operators
Dates and Price
Dates:
Flexible/climate/ground coordinator determines
Price:
US $1,799 ONLY for current Global Crossroad volunteers
Program Fee Covers:
- National park entry fees, camping fees
- English-speaking guide(s), cook and porters
- Rooms/Meals as per itinerary
- All camping equipments
- Transfer to the gate and return to Arusha
- Comprehensive insurance
Program Fee Does Not Cover:
- Airport pick-up and drop-off
- Sleeping bag and other clothes for climbing
- Beverages and bottled water
- Tips to porters and leaders
Please note: our safari packages are with verified, certified travel guides. When you arrive in Africa, you will almost certainly be approached by different people offering safaris to tourists for a cheaper price – in most cases, these are individuals with one vehicle and no back-up, and if they show you certification, it is almost always a forgery. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of our careful research and utilize the services of the partners we've formed in Africa. Our insurance will cover you through those trips, and you'll be in very safe hands, with people who take their responsibilities seriously and won't leave you unaccompanied at a campsite or on the road when their vehicle breaks down in the middle of a safari and they have nobody to call for back-up. Your safety is of the utmost importance to us, and we hope it's high on your priority list, as well!