Kilimanjaro Direct Trekking Marangu Route

Itinerary Description

Day 1: Arrival and Pickup at Kilimanjaro International Airport

• Our guide will meet and pick you at Kilimanjaro International Airport
• Transfer you to Marangu gate, we will spend about two hours for registration, payments of fees and final parking
• Start climbing through dense semi-tropical to the first hut- Mandara hut (9,000ft).
• Dinner and an overnight stay at Mandara Hut

Day 2: Trek Semi Alpine Zone to Horombo Hut (12,200 ft)

• We take a steady ascent through the temperate forest zone for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone
• Here we enjoy views of the mountain peaks at this altitude
• We continue to a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone, and overnight at Horombo Hut (12,200 ft). [6-7 hours walking]

Day 3:  Cross Lunar Desert to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft)

• We cross the lunar desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo Hut (15,400 ft) at the bottom of the crater wall
• The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for an early morning final ascent. [6-7 hours walking]
• Have dinner and overnight stay at Kibo Hut

Day 4: Trek to Gillman’s Point (18,600 ft) and descent to Kibo Hut (15,400 ft)

• We start the final and most demanding part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m
• We plod very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point(18,600 ft)
• We rest here for a short time to enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi
• Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak(19,345 ft), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area
• The descent to Kibo Hut(15,400 ft) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshments, we continue the descent to Horombo Huts (12,200 ft). [11-15 hours walking]

Day 5: A Steady Descent to Marangu Gate (6,000 ft) via Mandara Huts (8,900 ft)

• A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Huts(8,900 ft)
• We then continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at Marangu(6,000 ft), where we are transferred back to Marangu. [5-6 hours walking]
• Have dinner and overnight stay at your booked hotel in Moshi