Reach Africa's highest peak, with this 5-day climb to Mount Kilimanjaro summit in Tanzania, via the gradual Marangu route, along experienced guides from the Sirikwa Travel team.

5 days

Highlights

• Reach the summit of the iconic Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak
• Follow the Marangu route, the most popular way to the summit
• Sleep in comfortable mountain huts along the route

Description

Join us on this 5-day tour in Tanzania and reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marango route, the most popular way to the summit of Africa’s highest peak.

Also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marango is the only route to Mount Kilimanjaro offering comfortable sleeping huts along the way instead of camps. In just 5 days, you will hike along the straightest track to the summit of Kilimanjaro, along experienced guides and with the assistance of porters.

The Marangu route is a great option, as it is a gradual and steady climb, without much difficulty, although it is not the most scenic route as the ascent and descent are done through the same path. Also bear in mind acclimatization is not that easy due to the short time frame of this trip.

Starting from Moshi to Marangu Gate, our trek begins towards Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit, through the southeast face, ascending through a tropical rainforest until we reach the Mandara Hut. We will spend the next days, hiking to the Horombo Hut and Kibo Hut.

On the fourth day, we will reach Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Kilimanjaro, enjoying spectacular views over the African plains from the top, descending back to Horombo Hut. Finally, on the last day of our tour, a long 20-kilometer trek takes us downhill, back to the Marangu gate, and from there to our hotel in Arusha.


Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi- Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (8km - 4/5 hours)

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (12km - 6/8 hours)

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (10km -6/8 hours)

Day 4: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, Kilimanjaro's summit (6km - 6/8/ hours) back to Horombo Hut (16 km -4/5 hours)

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (20km -5/7 hours) - Moshi

Accommodation

We will sleep at bunk beds in mountain huts. There are basic washrooms and communal dining halls at the huts, with flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts, and long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut.

Itinerary: 5 Days Marangu route Kilimanjaro climb

Day 1: We leave Arusha to Kilimanjaro gate – Mandara Hut.

Take a short drive from Arusha town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m.) lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through the attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m.). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich birdlife at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. [3-5 hours walking to Mandara Hut] 5 days Marangu route

Day 2: We leave Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut.

The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m.). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning, the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds. [4-6 hours walking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut]

Day 3: We leave Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut.

Through Desert Saddle we climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to screed and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday and the afternoon is free (to contemplate the summit ascent!!). The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut]

Day 4: We leave Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut.

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up at Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over the loose volcanic screen, but there are some well-graded zig-zag and a slow but steady pace will have us up to Gillman’s (5,685 m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast and we return to Horombo Hut for the night. [11-15 hours walking from Kibo Hut to Gillman’s Point]

Day 5: Safari to Kilimanjaro Retrace through Forest We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates to Moshi or Arusha town. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day, and it really makes you realize how varied the scenery on Kilimanjaro really is. [5-6 hours walking]

We recommend you can extend your stay a little to Ngorongoro Crater safari from at least 4 days.

Price 1-8 Pax US$ 1,799 per single occupancy all-inclusive in groups ​

What is included Kilimanjaro Package?

Transfers:

• Pick-up and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport;

• Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park;

• Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel;

Entry fees:

• All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fees, and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).

Accommodation:

• One night at 4* hotel (Silver Palm Hotel or Tulia Hotel) before the expedition and one night after; the hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant, and swimming pool);

• Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Please note:

All accommodation is on a sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).

Meals:

• Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;

• All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;

• All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water).

Hiking and safety equipment

• The Helicopter rescue (book with us so we can give you the helicopter pick-up point).

• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;

• All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);

• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;

• GPS-tracking service;

• Complete medical kits.

Climbing crew:

• Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 10+years of successful mountaineering experience;

• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).

Kilimanjaro Excludes:

• Local airfares, International airfares, and departure taxes.

• International Travel insurance

• Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival.

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

• Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);

• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

• Meals not listed above on those arrivals and departures days

• Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc.)

• Tips for guides 100$ cooks 85$ and porters 50$ per entire-trip and any items of personal nature.