7 Days - Kilimanjaro Hiking - Marangu Route

The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 6 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way, due to a shorter acclimatization period.

The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 7-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success. Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates, and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route.

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Day 1: Spring Lands Hotel, Moshi     

Moshi
Located in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, close to the Kenyan border in Northern Tanzania, the vibrant town of Moshi is known as a coffee-producing hub boasting vast coffee plantations. The majestic snow-capped peak of Kilimanjaro towers over this little African town. Moshi serves as the gateway to the Kilimanjaro National Park and provides an excellent base from which to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain. Visitors can enjoy day trips, short hikes, or longer expeditions using Moshi as a starting point. Other popular activities include: spotting the Big Five on a wildlife safari, visiting a local village to learn about Maasai culture, and sampling mouth-watering Tanzanian cuisine.

Overnight: Springlands Hotel      
Springlands Hotel situated near Moshi in Tanzania is an ideal base for mountain walking trips and safaris to Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and other wilderness areas in northern Tanzania. The modern hotel is located on the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The hotel features a large and modern swimming pool, an airy dining area set in pleasant gardens, and indoor and outdoor bars. The accommodations all have spacious tiled en suite facilities with showers, windows fitted with mosquito netting and fans. The hotel is named after the freshwater springs which is located just a short distance away from the hotel.

Basis: Half Board - Dinner, Bed and Breakfast

Day 2: Mandara Huts, Mount Kilimanjaro     

Mount Kilimanjaro
Kilimanjaro's snow-capped peak is one of the most awe-inspiring sights in Africa. Straddling the Kenya/Tanzania border, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro rises to an impressive 5896 meters above sea level. It is one of the world's highest volcanoes, the highest mountain on the African continent, and the highest free-standing mountain on earth; making it an international destination attracting trekkers and mountaineers from around the globe. Set within the Kilimanjaro National Park, Kilimanjaro emerges from the sprawling plains of Tanzania and boasts dense tropical rainforests, glacial ice fields, moorlands, and mystical moonscapes. Take on the colossal challenge of climbing this majestic mountain, explore the lush forested foothills, soak up the breathtaking views, or take a wildlife safari and spot some of Africa’s diverse wildlife including elephant, buffalo, leopard, duiker, eland, hyrax, blue monkeys and more.

Day Itinerary
In just under an hour, you’ll reach the Kilimanjaro National Park gate where climbers sign in and make final preparations. You will be most thankful for the porters, who will ascend before you, carrying food, water, cooking gas, and most of your equipment. Our expert guides will be available for anything you might need, but once all is settled, the climb begins. You will take a cleared ridge trail through the amazing rainforest, which is suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss. It is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. Should you prefer a more scenic forest path along the edge of a stream, there is an option to take it, and then rejoin the main trail later on. In a forest clearing at Mandara Hut, you will sleep for the night. Quarters are a group of wooden A-frame huts with bunks for 6 to 8, solar-generated lighting, water, and flush toilets.

  • Hiking time: 5 hrs. / Distance: 7.5 miles
  • Habitat: Montane forest

 Overnight: Mandara Huts     
This campsite is set in a forest along the Marangu Route. Mandara Huts can accommodate up to 60 campers at a time. The campsite relies on solar lighting and features a dining hall and ablution facilities.

Basis: Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Horombo Huts & Campsite, Mount Kilimanjaro     

Mount Kilimanjaro
As previously described.

Day Itinerary
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater, and then emerges into the transition from rainforest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel(Senecia Kilimanjaro), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here, you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; and an evening meal.

Overnight: Horombo Huts & Campsite     
The Horombo Huts & Campsite is set along the Marangu Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This site can accommodate up to 120 campers spread across a mix of cabins and tents. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, a dining area, and a ranger office. Guests will also have access to an abundant water source near the campsite.

Basis: Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4: Horombo Huts & Campsite, Mount Kilimanjaro     

Day Itinerary
Acclimatization Day - As you might imagine, the atmosphere at the hut today is filled with excitement, adventure, and lively exchange. Bustling with hikers, guides, and porters, it is a switching station of sorts, with ascending and descending hikers exchanging valuable stories and information. Remember to drink enough water today; your main priority should be acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut is strongly recommended for this purpose. During the climb — 3 hours up, 1.5 down — you will pass the Zebra Rocks. When you return to camp, there will be hot food mixed with anticipation. Retire early, for this will be your last full night’s rest before the summit ascent.

  • Hiking time: 6h / Distance: 9.4 miles
  • Habitat: Moorland

Basis: Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5: Kibo Hut, Mount Kilimanjaro     

Mount Kilimanjaro
As previously described

Day Itinerary
The ascent continues. From Horombo, there are two trails to the “Saddle,” the area between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The upper right-hand fork, its path stony and eroded, will be familiar from yesterday’s climb. You are, however, encouraged to take the less taxing lower left-hand fork, which passes the last watering point, at 13,549 ft. Unless you plan on buying mineral water at Kibo, you’ll need to supply yourself with all the water you’ll need before returning to Horombo two nights from now. Our destination for this leg of the climb is Kibo hut, a stone blockhouse in the barren Alpine desert with bunk beds for 60, but no streams for water. (The camp office will have mineral water and soft drinks to buy.) You will make your final ascent, just 3,921 ft. further, later tonight. For now, focus on preparing your equipment, ski stick, and clothing. Fill your thermal flask with water. Replace your headlamp and camera batteries, with a spare set packed. Once you are confident that all is ready, bed down around 7 pm and get the precious rest you’ll need.

  • Hiking time: 6 hrs. / Distance: 9.3 miles
  • Habitat: Alpine desert

Overnight: Kibo Hut     
Kibo is a basecamp set in the Kilimanjaro National Park. Climbers set camp here before leaving for Uhuru Peak. Accommodation at Kibo is provided in lodge-like housing that caters to 60 people. All rooms feature bunk beds, accommodating up to 6 people. Other services and facilities include a dining room, shared toilets, a ranger's hut, and a guides' hut.

Basis: Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6: Horombo Huts & Campsite, Mount Kilimanjaro     

Mount Kilimanjaro
As previously described

Day Itinerary
This is the moment — your summit attempt. After tea and biscuits in the darkness (you will rise at 11:30 pm on Day 6), you climb into the night. What lies ahead is no joke — the terrain is unforgiving, requiring great physical and mental effort. Ascend the rocky path to Hans Meter Cave at 16,896 ft. and take a short rest. The trail now zigzags its way up to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim, at 18,638 ft. You will no doubt make your final ascent in snowfall, but we guarantee that once you are standing on Africa’s highest point, the fire inside you will burn fierce, melting away any external conditions! How long you will have to snap photos and experience your well-earned euphoria will be out of your hands; the weather is in charge here. Once you begin your 3-hour descent (stopping at Kibo to pick up your gear), you won’t believe how fast it will seem! At Horombo, with adrenaline still flowing, you will savor a bittersweet last dinner on the mountain. After hiking for 14 hours, though, we suspect that sleep will be foremost in your mind.

  • Ascent time: 8 hrs. to Uhuru Peak
  • Descent time: 6 hrs. to Horombo Hut
  • Distance: 9.9-mile ascent, 13-mile descent
  • Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Overnight: Horombo Huts & Campsite     
The Horombo Huts & Campsite is set along the Marangu Trail on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This site can accommodate up to 120 campers spread across a mix of cabins and tents. Facilities include a kitchen for cooking, a dining area, and a ranger office. Guests will also have access to an abundant water source near the campsite.

Basis: Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7: Springlands Hotel, Moshi     

Moshi
As previously described

Day Itinerary
We trust you slept well. This morning, enjoy a hearty breakfast and begin your six-hour descent in quite a different state of mind, passing the Mandara hut and landing, so to speak, at the Marangu gate. After checking in at the gate, successful climbers receive summit certificates, as tangible testimony to their triumph. All climbers collect their gear, square up with the porters (be sure you and all your gear have reached the gate successfully before tipping), and are finally driven back to Moshi. Hot water has never enjoyed this status — your shower is sure to be transcendent! And your dinner celebration will be one for the scrapbook!

  • Hiking time: 6 hrs. / Distance: 16.8 miles

Overnight: Springlands Hotel      
Springlands Hotel situated near Moshi in Tanzania is an ideal base for mountain walking trips and safaris to Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru, and other wilderness areas in northern Tanzania. The modern hotel is located on the southern slopes of Kilimanjaro. The hotel features a large and modern swimming pool, an airy dining area set in pleasant gardens, and indoor and outdoor bars. The accommodations all have spacious tiled en suite facilities with showers, windows fitted with mosquito netting and fans. The hotel is named after the freshwater springs which are located just a short distance away from the hotel.

Basis: Full Board - Dinner, Bed, Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8: End of Itinerary     

Day Itinerary
Driving back to the airport this morning to drop off JRO.

Basis: Bed and Breakfast

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