A: MARANGU ROUTE
The Marangu or main route is by far the most popular way to the summit. The accommodation on the way up and down is provided in mountain huts with all the basic necessities. It usually takes 5
days/4nights for the round trip. The trek can also be taken in 6 days/5 nights to add acclimatization with an extra day at Horombo Hut. The supplementary cost for an extra day is indicated separately as
an option.
Day 1: Pick up from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Mohsin town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi.
Day 2: After breakfast and a short tour briefing from the guide, we will depart to Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (it is a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the Marangu Gate). Upon registering with park authorities, our climb will officially commence with a four-hour walk to the Mandara encampment. We will pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. We will spend the night at Mandara Hut (2,750m), an attractive collection of buildings. Bathrooms are available with running water.
Day 3: Today we will continue our ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and Moorland zone at roughly 3,000m (approximately a six-hour walk). Enjoy stunning views of the
mountain peaks at this altitude. We will spend the night at Horombo Hut (3,720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine
zone. Bathrooms are available with running water.
Day 4: Our trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone
(approximately 4,000m) and, once we cross the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. This
seven-hour walk will be taken at a slow pace. We will spend the night at Kibo Hut (4,703m), a comfortable stone construction (no running water at Kibo Hut). This semi-desert zone receives an annual
rainfall of under 250mm; the ground often freezes at night, but ground temperatures soar to above 30 degrees Celsius by day. Few plants other than lichens and grasses survive in
these conditions.
Day 5: Shortly after midnight, we will commence our climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman's Point (5,861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen and an early start for the six-hour hike improves our chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman's Point, it is a further two hour round trip along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in
Africa. From the summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we will spend our last night on the mountain.
Day 6: Today’s descent continues past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. From here, you will be transferred to a Base Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.
Day 7: After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town.
B: MACHAME ROUTE
This is probably the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. The accommodation on the way up and down is strictly camping (mobile tents) only. This trek is strenuous and may be better suited to more
adventurous hikers. The Machame route is normally completed in a minimum of 6 days/5nights on the mountain.
Day 1: Pick up from Arusha town or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town, which is commonly known as the gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. Half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi.
Day 2: Transfer to Machame Gate and begin ascent of Mt. Kilimanjaro via Machame Route. Today you will be transferred to the Machame Gate to begin your climb. Depending on the weather this can be a
moderate to very demanding day as the trek winds through a beautifully lush rain forest. Overnight in mountain tents at Machame Hut (3000m.)
Day 3: A full day as you start early, leaving the forest behind and climb a steep ridge for 3-4 hours. The path then drops into a gorgeous river gorge before you climb more gently up onto the moorland of the Shira Plateau. The Shira Plateau is all that remains of an older volcano that was engulfed when the much larger Kili formed. On clear days the views are absolutely breath-taking: a seemingly endless expanse of multi-colored heath to the gargantuan rim at the end of the plateau where billows of clouds melt down onto the plateau floor. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Shira Hut (3840m).
Day 4: Today's 5-6 hours walk across the plateau makes little net elevation, although there are ups and downs throughout the day. We'll enjoy sightings of the typical Kilimanjaro mountain vegetation and
rewarding views of the spectacular Barranco Valley. Overnight camping in mountain tents at Barranco Hut (3950m).
Day 5: The standard day includes about 6-8 hours of trekking, up the Barranco Wall, then across scree and ridges to the Karanga Valley (4100m) for lunch, before continuing up to Barafu Camp at 4600m.
Overnight camping in mountain tents at Barafu Hut.
Day 6: You will rise around 2330hrs and after some tea and biscuits you will shuffle off into the night. You will head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This 8-hour walk to Stella point is for many climbers, mentally and physically, the most challenging on the route. At Stella point (5685m) you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see (weather permitting). From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2- hour ascent to Uhuru Peak (5896m). Despite the actual distance of the trek not being too far the progress is slow - there is less than half the oxygen than at sea level! Uhuru Peak provides a unique reward and usually a plethora of emotions. If your progress has been good you can watch the sunrise from the rooftop of Africa! Most people then start returning quite soon after sunrise as the return journey today is quite long. Take a brief respite at Barafu Camp before descending all the way down to Mweka Camp at 3100m. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
Day 7: After breakfast, descend through the lower heath section that quickly turns into rainforest. Your time on Kilimanjaro ends at Kibololoni Gate where you will be met and transferred back to a Base Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.
