5-day Mount Kilimanjaro climb through the Marangu Route

Morning after breakfast (8:00 am), start with a briefing, then drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 2 hours), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, colobus Monkeys and bird life. Hot lunch / Dinner and overnight stay at MANDARA HUT.

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
 Distance: 8km
 Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
 Habitat: Montane Forest
 Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Morning after breakfast with packed lunch boxes, or hot lunch, leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo Hut encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude. Dinner and overnight stay at HOROMBO HUT.

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
 Distance: 12km
 Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
 Habitat: Heathland
 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, continue ascending; we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner and overnight stay at KIBO HUT. Rest and prepare for summit climb.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
 Distance: 9km/5.5mi
 Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
 Habitat: Alpine Desert
 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Very early in the morning cup of coffee / Tea (midnight at 2:00 am), and commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point, located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak 5895M, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the HOROMBO HUT encampment for dinner and overnight stay.   

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
 Down to 3700m/12,200ft
 Distance: 6km/ 15km Total
 Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 6-8 hours down
 Habitat: Alpine Desert
 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Morning after breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha city / IBRAHIM GARDEN HOSTEL  (about 2 hours).

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
 Distance: 20km
 Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
 Habitat: Forest
 Meals: Breakfast / Hot lunch.