WHEN TO GO.
JUNE THROUGH FEBRUARY.
Trekking Summary.
The Marangu route is one of the most classic and popular trail to the top of Mt. Kilimanjaro, and the only one provides mountain huts for the duration of the hike. The Marangu route usually takes 5 days 4 nights round trip, still we provide 6 days 5 nights round trip to add acclimatization with an extra day at Mandara hut.
Mandara Hut: 2,715m: A wooden hut, a huge cabin modified with a first floor dining room and an upstairs dormitory, equipped with a bank bed and mattresses, accommodate up to 8 trekkers in each small hut, water are piped from the spring, flush toilets are available behind the hut.
Horombo Hut: 3,705m: The hut similar to Mandara, fitted with bed and mattresses, water are piped from the above stream, flush toilets provided within the complex of small huts.
Kibo Hut: 4,703m: The stone house with a dining room and a number of dormitory rooms, fit out with bunk bed and mattresses, also platform toilets are available
Private groups.
Detailed Itinerary
Kilimanjaro International Airport / Arusha
Upon your arrival to Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our airport representative and transferred to your city hotel for your itinerary briefing. A refreshing overnight stay, before embarking on your adventure.
Arusha 1645 meters to Londorosi Gate 2377 meters to Forest Camp 2895 meters
• Distance: 6 km
• Duration for Hiking: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
Departure is after breakfast from your hotel in Arusha. Next a drive to Londorossi Gate in the eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, where you will complete entry formalities. Then a drive to the Lemosho trailhead. Upon your arrival at the trailhead, you will be served a picnic lunch. Thereafter, continue through unspoiled forest which stretches to the first camp site. Arrive for overnight stay, siesta and enjoy the surrounding fauna and flora.
-Overnight stay at Forest Camp 2895 meters or 9500 feet
Forest Camp 9500ft / Shira Camp 11500ft
• Distance: 8 km
• Hiking Time 5-6 hours
• Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast you’ll leave the forest behind. W begin our trek through the tall grass and volcanic rocks covered with lichen beards. A picnic lunch will be served on the way.
As you ascend through the lush rolling hills and across streams, Shira Ridge will test your fitness before ascending down to Shira 1 camp. The view of the summit beyond the plateau is marvelous.
-Overnight stay at Shira 1 Camp
Shira Camp 1 11500ft to Moir Camp13800 ft
• Distance: 14 km
• Hiking Duration: 8-10hrs
• Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast we’ll pound the Shira plateau throughout the day. It is a peaceful walk toward the glaciered peak, covering the plateau towards the Shira 2 camp. On moorland meadows by a stream, thereafter you continue to Moir Hut, a small used site on the base of Lent Hills. A variety of walks are available on Lent Hills, making this an excellent acclimatization opportunity. Shira is one of the highest plateaus on earth.
Picnic lunch will be served on the way.
-Overnight stay at Moir Camp
Moir Camp 13800ft to Lava Tower to Barranco Camp 13000ft
• Distance: 7 km
• Hiking Duration: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Semi Desert
From the Shira Plateau, we continue to the east up the ridge, via the junction towards the peak of Kibo. As you continue ahead the direction changes to Southeast towards Lava Tower. From here the trek will take you to the second junction before entering a higher altitude at Arrow Glacier 16000ft. Then we will descent to the Barranco Camp 1000ft for overnight stay. Although you end the day at the same elevation as when you started, this day is very important for acclimatization and will help your body prepare for summit attempts.
Hot lunch will be served at the camp thereafter. Siesta and enjoy the surroundings of nature and the view of the far plains below.
Barranco Camp 13,000ft to Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp 15000ft
• Distance: 9km
• Hiking Duration: 8-10 hours
• Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, we’ll begin hiking the steep ridge of the Barranco Wall, to the Karanga Valley. Then take the junction which connects with the Mweka route, before reaching Barafu camp. At this point, you have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we set up the camp. We will enjoy dinner, rest and prepare for the summit attempts. This place provides excellent views of Mawenzi and Kibo peak.
NB: You will have an early dinner and take an early sleep to prepare for the midnight summit.
Barafu Camp 15300ft to Summit 19345ft to Mweka Hut10000ft
• Distance: 5 km ascent / 12 km descent
• Hiking Duration: 7-8 hours ascent / 4-6 hours descent
• Habitat: Arctic
Your guide will give you a wake up call, for a cup of tea thereafter departure is around 2:00am. We will take the route between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers, before turning northwest and ascending through heavy scree towards the crater rim of the Stella Point. This is the most mentally and physically challenging part of the trek.
At Stella Point 18600ft, you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise. From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. At Uhuru Peak, you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa. Faster hikers will see the sunrise from the summit. Thereafter you will leave the summit, descend past Mweka to Barafu Camp for Hot lunch. Gaiters and trekking poles are needed while walking down due to loose gravel. Mweka Camp situated in the upper forest where mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Later in the evening, you enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
-Dinner and overnight at Stella Maris Lodge.
Mweka Camp 10000ft to Arusha 5400ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Duration: 3-4 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast we descend to the Mweka Park Gate, to receive our summit certificates. 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. Pack warmer clothing in case of cooler temperatures.
From the gate you will drive to the hotel in Moshi / Arusha for lunch siesta and overnight stay.
-Overnight stay at Stella Maris Lodge
Moshi – Kilimanjaro International Airport
You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport to fly out of the country or Arusha Domestic Airport and fly to Zanzibar or join another wildlife safari if extended excursions are selected.
- PRICE FROM: $1,980pps
- Government Taxes
- All National Park entrance fees
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Overnight stay at hotel as per itinerary
- Guide, porter and cook salaries (not including gratuity)
- Crisis management and safety procedures. Rescue fees.
- All three meals a day, breakfast, lunch and dinner while on mountain.
- All transfers mentioned above, upon your arrival and departure from Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha domestic airport.
- Gratuity
- All Personal Items (Example toiletries, cameras)
- Excursions and activities not listed in the itinerary