8-Day Kilimanjaro Climb – Marangu Route

Your climbing guide and a climbing support team will meet you at your hotel for a quick briefing, then you will drive to Kilimanjaro Park's Eastern Gate: Marangu, which lies at 1,970 m /6,462 f.

After finalizing the climbing permits registration with the rescue and search services, you will be ready to start your climb to Mandara Hut (2,720 m /8,922 f).

We highly recommend bringing a raincoat, as the trail passes through a tropical rainforest that has a high probability of rain.

Upon arriving at Mandara Hut, you will find lunch prepared and be assigned your hut for the night.

PLEASE NOTE:This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on:

• Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently);
• To help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness, consider using a preventive measure like a high-altitude aid medicine. Many mountain climbers take such pills in the morning, before they begin their ascent, to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. Our managers will provide more specific details together with your travel itinerary. We recommend consulting your doctor prior to the trip to discuss any potential allergies or health concerns.

Discomfort associated with acclimatization is common at night when your body gets less oxygen than during the day. This is normally expressed in the form of nausea and headaches. Let your guide know if you experience any symptoms.

 

Trekking time:

5-7 hours

Distance:

11 km (6.8 miles)

early morning breakfast before departing Mandara Hut. This day's trek is a moderate hike towards the second high-altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m /12204f). When you reach the camp, you will be treated to views of two volcanos at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.

Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200 m /656 f gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you.

PLEASE NOTE:The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation:

Horombo Hut (3,720 m / 12,204 ft)

Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (3,920 m / 12,860 ft)

Hiking distance:

2.5 km (1.5 miles)

Hiking time:

1-2 hours

 

Trekking time:

5-6 hours

Distance:

10 km (6.2 miles)

After breakfast, you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Kibo Hut and back to the camp.

Then, after lunch, you have the opportunity to walk around the surrounding area, take pictures of Mawenzi Volcano or just sleep before the upcoming trek to Kibo Hut. To enhance your acclimatization transition, the team will spend this night at the very same altitude at Horombo Hut camp.

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation:

Horombo Hut (3,720 m / 12,204 ft)

Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (4,500 m / 14,763 ft)

Hiking distance:

5-8 km (3.1- 4.9 miles)

Hiking time:

3-4 hours

On this day, right after breakfast, the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,720 m /15,482 f). The actual trekking is not very difficult, just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to preserve your strength for the climbing the kilimanjaro mountain. When you reach the camp you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.

 

Trekking time:

4-8 hours

Distance:

10 km (6.2 miles)

Your group will depart at night from Kibo Hut (4,720 m /15,482 f) and begin the trek to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru Peak (5,895 m /19,336 f). This stretch of the Marangu Route is not difficult in technical terms, but because of the high altitude, even regular physical activity feels strenuous.

For the final summit hike, we group two climbers with one guide, the guide will monitor their physical well-being, as well as provide encouragement and motivation for the final ascent.

After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier, if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest, continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m /12,202 f).

PLEASE NOTE:90% of mountain accidents - including broken limbs - happen on the way down. However, they are easily avoided by taking care of how and where you step.

 

Trekking time:

9-12 hours

Distance:

16 km (9.9 miles)

Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport or Option: continue to your next destination (e.g., safari or Zanzibar)
Meals: Breakfast