DAY 1: MOSHI – MANDARA HUT

We pick you up from Park View Inn hotel and drive to Marangu Gate after breakfast. After the necessary official formalities, we finally start the hike through the beautiful, tropical rain forest to Mandara hut (2,743m, 4 hours). Blue monkeys roam in the upper forest line However, weather and luck must be on your side. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

DAY 2: MANDARA HUT – HOROMBO HUT

After breakfast, we leave the forest and cross to the open moorland, with views of the Kibo and Mawenzi appearing at a distance to Horombo hut (3,760m). For the purpose of re-energizing our bodies, we will have our lunch on the way. Dinner and overnight stay in the camp.

DAY 3: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY

We spend the day as an acclimatization day at Horombo Hut. We will walk to Zebra Rocks, which offers motivating views of Mawenzi and the famous Kibo. Return to the camp for all meals and overnight.

DAY 4: HOROMBO – KIBO

We hike after breakfast through moorland then alpine desert to “The Saddle” between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here we will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4,730m). We will have our lunch in the resting shelter. We will take an early dinner to retire to bed early.

DAY 5: KIBO – UHURU PEA – HOROMBO

We will be served with a warm cup of tea / coffee before attempt the summit on steep scree up to Gillman’s Point (5,681m), which is on the crater rim. We continue around the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) the highest point in Africa. Weather permitting, we will have a photo session that will be enjoyed by all. We descend down to Kibo Hut for breakfast. Later we will descend down to Horombo hut for our overnight stay.

DAY 6: HOROMBO – MARANGU GATE

After breakfast we will descend to Marangu gate via Mandara hut. After collecting the certificates of achievement, and we bid farewell to the supporting crew, we will drive to Park View Inn hotel for a hot shower and celebrations, having finished climbing Kilimanjaro via marangu route! https://traverseafrika.com/

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This route is less crowded, moderately steep, crosses a beautiful alpine desert zone and allows for good views towards Kenya and the Kibo summit.

DAY 1 — To First Cave 1950m to 2600m 6400ft to 8500ft About 4 hours Transfer by Land Rover/Land cruiser (about 3 hours) to the attractive wooden village of Nale Muru (1950 m). After signing in and preparing the porters, you will begin the hike on a wide path that winds through fields of maize and potatoes before entering pine forest. The track then starts to climb consistently, but gently through attractive forest that shelters a variety of wildlife. The forest begins to thin out and the first camp is at the edge of the moorland zone (2600 m) with extensive views over the Kenyan plains.

DAY 2 — To Kikelewa Camp 2600m to 3600m 8500ft to 11,800ft About 7 hours The morning walk is a steady ascent up to the Second Cave (3450 m) with superb views of Kibo and the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. After lunch, leave the main trail and strike out across the moorland on a smaller path towards the jagged peaks of Mawenzi. The campsite is in a sheltered valley with giant Senecios near Kikelewa Camp (3600 m).

DAY 3 — To Mawenzi Tarn 3600m to 4330m 11,800ft to 14,200ft About 4 hours A short but steep climb up grassy slopes is rewarded by superb all-round views and a tangible sense of wilderness. Leave the vegetation behind shortly before reaching the next camp at Mawenzi Tarn (4330 m), spectacularly situated in a cirque directly beneath the towering spires of Mawenzi. The afternoon will be free to rest or explore the surrounding area as an aid to acclimatization.

DAY 4 — To Kibo Camp 4330m to 4750m 14,200ft to 15,600ft About 5 hours Cross the lunar desert of the ‘Saddle’ between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach Kibo campsite (4750 m) at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night!

DAY 5 — To Summit and Horombo Hut 4750m to 5895m (and down to 3720m) 15,600ft to 19,300ft (and down to 12,200ft) About 11 hours Begin the final, and by far the steepest and most demanding, part of the climb by torchlight around 1 a.m. Proceed very slowly in the darkness on a switchback trail through loose volcanic scree to reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5685 m) Rest there 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 (5895 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers and ice cliffs that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent to Kibo (4700 m) is surprisingly fast and, after some refreshment, continue the descent to reach the final campsite at Horombo (3720 m).

DAY 6 –Moshi Elevation (ft): 12,200ft to 5500ft Elevation (m): 3720m to 1700m, Hiking Time: 5-7 hours After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m). 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). Transfer to Moshi.

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Next, we climb high up and over Lava Tower before dropping into Barranco Valley, one of the prettiest areas on the entire trail. We climb the intimidating Barranco Wall and then circle along the southern circuit to Karanga and high camp Barafu Hut.

The summit attempt is made from Barafu in the early morning hours, often during the full moon. This is the coldest, windiest section of your adventure. But once the sun comes up, so can most of your extra layers. After the summit, the descent follows the Mweka trail.

Day 1: Londorossi Gate to Mti Mkubwa (9,170 ft.) A three-hour drive from Moshi brings you to the Londorossi Park Gate located on the western side of Kilimanjaro for regisration and payment of Park fees,then drive to the trailhead at Lemosho Glades and start your trek through the rain forest. In places the vegetation is so untouched that it grows right across the narrow track. The flora and fauna are richer here than on the other more popular routes through the rain forest. Your trek today will be along a little used track known as Chamber’s Route. In about 3-4 hours you will reach your camp in the rain forest at Mti Mkubwa (Big Tree).

Day 2: Mti Mkumbwa to Shira one Camp (11,500 ft.) After breakfast with lunch box, start the climb cross the remaining rain forest towards the giant moorland zone. A great lunch stop is at the beautiful valley just outside the Shira Crater at around 10,000 ft. After lunch you cross into the Shira Caldera, a high altitude desert plateau which is rarely visited. Shira is the third of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic cones, and is filled with lava flow from Kibo Peak. The crater rim has been decimated by weather and volcanic action. Today you’ll get your first close views of Kibo – the dramatic summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 3: Shira one Camp to Shira two Camp (12,200 ft.) After breakfast continue hike east across the Shira Plateau past the Shira Cathedral towards Shira Two camp. You only gain 700 feet in elevation – this allows you to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The views of the plateau are nothing less than spectacular.

Day 4: Shira two Camp to Baranco Hut (12,675 ft.) Today’s the last of the “easy days”. It’s about a 6 hour superb hike. You pass the Lava Tower, around the southern flank of Kibo, and slowly descend to Baranco, your most spectacular campsite, at the foot of Kibo Peak, looming high above. Your camp is only 465 feet higher than where you were last night, but our walk will have taken you just over 14,000 feet today. This is one of your most valuable days for acclimatization.

Day 5: Baranco Hut to Karanga Valley – Barafu (14,950 ft.) After breakfast, your first obstacle is to breach the Baranco Wall, a 600-foot rock. Once over wall, the climb becomes easier and extremely beautiful with fantastic views of the crags and crevasses of the jagged peaks on your left. Then you descend to the Karanga Valley. Some folks with time restrictions don’t stop here in the Karanga Valley for an overnight camp.

Day 6: Barafu Hut to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft.) to Mweka Camp Dress warmly, because we start climbing around midnight, on the steepest and most demanding part of the mountain. The moon will provide enough light, and we’ll reach Stella Point by sunrise. (About 6 hours) At dawn, from the Crater rim, rugged Mawenzi is a thrilling sight, with the Kibo saddle still in darkness beneath you, and the crater’s ice-walls looming ahead. If you feel strong enough, you should continue to Uhuru Peak (1-2 hours). This is the highest point in Africa, and the world’s highest solitary peak (19,340 ft). This is the toughest day that most trekkers have ever experienced. You will have ascended 3,600feet and descended 7,200 feet in a period of 12-15 hours. Although the descent is far less tiring, it’s a good idea to have a little rest once in awhile as you continue down to Mweka Camp (3-4 hours from the top).

Day 7: Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate to Moshi In the morning we walk down to Mweka Gate. After a welcome lunch it’s time to say goodbye to the porters. We then get a ride back to the hotel.

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DAY 1: After breakfast drive to Machame Gate 1800m.a.s.l. Start the walk from Machame Gate to
Machame Hut. The walk takes about 6-7 hours in the rain forest. Lunch along the way dinner and
overnight at Machame Camp (3000m.a.s.l).

DAY 2: After breakfast ascend to the Shira camp. The walk takes 4-5 hours in the moorland. Lunch along
the way. Dinner and overnight at Shira camp (3840m.a.s.l).

DAY 3: This is the day for aclimatization. After breakfast ascend to the junction of Lava Tower
(4600m.a.s.l) then descend to Baranco hut (3950m.a.s.l). Lunch along the way. Dinner and overnight at
Baranco camp.

DAY 4: After breakfast ascend the great Baranco wall. It takes about 1 and a half. Then proceed to
Karanga Valley(4100)for dinner and overnight

DAY 5: After breakfast,proceed with walk to Barafu hut (4600m) Hot lunch ,Dinner and overnight at
Barafu camp

DAY 6: After midnight breakfast, ascend to the Summit via Stela Point to Uhuru Peak (5895m.a.s.l). After
photo taking and short time celebration, descend to Barafu camp for Lunch, then descend to Mweka
camp (3200m.a.s.l).Dinner and overnight at Mweka camp.

DAY 7: After breakfast descend in the rain forest about 3 hours to Mweka Gate. Then to Moshi.

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