7 Days Marangu Route

Tour Overview

Mount Kilimanjaro is situated in the Northern part of Tanzania, in the Kilimanjaro National Park. It covers an area of 100 kilometers long and 65 kilometers wide. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. By free-standing, or non-massif, we mean it is not part of a mountain range. As one of the famed Seven Summits, setting out to climb Kilimanjaro has all the makings of a great bucket list adventure.

Highlights

  • The Marangu route approaches the mountain from the west.
  • Your climb takes you through various climatic zones, including rainforest, moorland, and high-altitude desert.
  • The ascent and descent are along the same path.
  • The Marangu route is one of the shortest routes on the mountain but should not be mistaken as the easiest, as you ascend quickly.
  • Your climbing starts at Marangu Gate, climb to the summit, and then head back down to Marangu Gate.

Tour Itinerary

On Day 1 of your Kilimanjaro trek, you hike through dense rainforest, though at points there are openings in the vegetation that offer views of the farmlands which cover the base of the mountain outside of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The day’s trail ends at Mandara Hut, where you overnight.
On Day 2 you trek through a more beautiful rainforest, but soon the forest gives way to moorland. The snowcapped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen. After trekking for six to eight hours you reach Horombo Hut, where you stay for the night.
Your third day on the mountain can be split into two parts: a climb to Mawenzi Ridge, followed by a return to Horombo Hut. The reason for this is that it’s in keeping with the ‘climb high, sleep low’ strategy which helps your body to acclimatize properly to the increased elevation. This part of the day’s trek sees you climb from Horombo Hut up into the heath zone of Kilimanjaro. The turning point of the climb comes when you reach the horseshoe-shaped Mawenzi ridge. When you reach Mawenzi ridge you spend some time there taking in the breathtaking views before heading back down to Horombo Hut for another night. As already mentioned, climbing high and then sleeping low is an important acclimatization strategy.
Today you traverse the so-called Saddle, a five-mile stretch of rubble and emptiness that connects the craters of Mawenzi and Kibo. You spend the night at Kibo Hut.
For the first part, you strike out for the summit! Having hopefully successfully reached it, you start your descent down the mountain, stopping at the now-familiar Horombo Hut for the night. Your guide wakes you up around midnight to get ready for the ascent. Today is usually the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire Kilimanjaro climb. The route ascends northwest into the night. Within about six hours you reach Stella Point and enjoy the sunrise. After that, you trek for about another hour on a snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) at the very top of Africa!After reaching the summit, you descend to Horombo Hut for the night. Having hiked for about 12 to 15 hours, you’ll fall asleep immediately, trust us!
The final leg of your Kilimanjaro trek passes along the same path that you ascended on – through the heather, red-hot pokers, and shrubs of the moorland vegetation zone. You will stop for a cooked lunch at Mandara Hut (2700 m).
As we make the final descent through the rainforest to the Marangu Gate, we will have lunch and say farewell to our mountain crew. Afterward, we will leave Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and drive back to Arusha for a much-need shower and a commemorative dinner!

Includes

Park fees and concession
All activities
All accommodation as stated in the itinerary
A professional driver/guide
All transportation
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
All Meals
Drinking water on all days
Mountain Guide & Porters
Hiking and Safety Equipment
Gear Rentals

Excludes

International flights
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips for Guide
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
The government imposed an increase in taxes and/or park fees
Alcohol drinks
Optional Activities

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Enquiry Form

First Name*
Last Name*
Email Address*
WhatsApp Number
Arrival Date*
Number of Days*
Number of Adults*
Number of Children*
Message*