7 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing: Marangu Route

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Kilimanjaro by the Marangu Route

This is the most popular route as it combines the beautiful and varied scenery with plenty of opportunities to acclimatise. This is the easiest route to take to ascend Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa with its two main summits, the craggy Mawenzi, 5149 m, and the ‘flat-topped’, glaciated Kibo, 5896m.

The Saddle, a 5km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert separates the two. From the summit glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland then forests lead down to the cultivated foothills. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through these dramatically different zones. For the ascent to Uhuru Peak from Kibo Hut a very early start is made since the scree is easier to climb when frozen and the views from the crater rim at dawn can be spectacular. Ski sticks are useful when ascending the scree to the summit.
Accommodation on the mountain is in comfortable huts you will require a sleeping bag and mat.
This is a tough walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. An extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude can be spent at Horombo. From Horombo there are various walks to enjoy.

Day 1: Arusha

Arrive at the hotel for overnight.

Day 2: Arusha – Marangu – Mandara

After breakfast drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to mandara hut (2743m), for about 3 hours.

Day 3: Mandara – Horombo

Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (3760m)

Day 4: Horombo – Kibo Hut

Walk through moorland then alpine desert to “The saddle” between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4730m)

Day 5: Kibo – Summit – Horombo

Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman’s point (5681m), which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit.) to uhuru peak (5895m) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut.

Day 6: Horombo – Marangu

Descend to Marangu gate. Drive back to the hotel for a shower, dinner and overnight.

Day 7:Depart

Depart after breakfast.

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