Description
7 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing – Marangu Route
MOUNT KILIMANJARO
Mt.Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest point, rises four miles into the sky from a bed of clouds. On a clear day the world’s tallest freestanding mountain, located in north-eastern Tanzania near the border with Kenya, can be seen from more than 100 miles away.
The mountain and surrounding forests were designated as a game reserve in the early twentieth century and in 1973 Mount Kilimanjaro National Park was established. Fourteen years later it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It lies about 100 miles (160 km) east of the East African Rift System and about 140 miles (225 km) south of Nairobi.
This snow-capped monolith, located just three degrees south of the equator, is one of the largest volcanoes to break through the earth’s crust. In fact Kilimanjaro is actually made up of three distinct volcanoes which first emerged around 750,000 years ago; Mawenzi and Shira, which are extinct, flank the highest, Kibo, which is dormant.
A beacon to high altitude trekkers, it is also an important symbol of African independence. European explorers first encountered the great peak in the 1830s, but it took more than half a century for someone to reach the top.
Originally called the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Spitze by the Germans, the summit at 5,895m was renamed when Tanzania gained independence in 1961 as Uhuru Peak (Uhuru is the Swahili word for freedom).
Amenities
- Bedding
- Outdoor Seating
- Smoking Allow
Language
- English
Calendar & Prices
Details
Day 1: Arrive in Marangu
Drive from Nairobi to Moshi for 8 hrs dinner and overnight in a hotel at Moshi
Day 2: Moshi to Mandara camp
After having your breakfast we will make a short journey from your hotel in Marangu to National Park gate for the necessary formalities at the gate. We start the climbs through fascinating tropical rain forest; we reach the first hut at Mandara for dinner and overnight. An alternative is to simply rest and relax the beautiful forest around the camp.
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (2,700 m): 5-6 hours walking.
Day 3: Horrombo Hut (Full board)
Today the first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into moorland and, in clear weather, there are great views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
We arrive at Horombo Hut mid-afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery around the camp.
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3,720 m): 4-6 hours walking.
Day 4: Horrombo Hut (Full board)
Today we walk towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks, this extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. We recommend drinking enough water and walking slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the Horrombo hut.
Horombo hut to further improve our acclimatization.
Day 5: Kibo Hut (Full board)
Today we climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. These 6-7 hours walking will be taken at a slow pace until we reach Kibo Hut (4,700m), where we will spend the night in a comfortable hut.
There is no running water at Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Horrombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4,700 m.); 4-6 hours walking.
Day 6: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horrombo Hut (Full board)
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Gillman’s 5,685 m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru peak 5,895 m. which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment we descend to Kiko Hut is amazingly fast, and we stop at Kibo Hut for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Horrombo Hut.
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut (3,720 m.): 13-15 hours walking.
Day 7: Horrombo Hut (Full board)
Today we will descend past Mandara hut to Marangu National Park, successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. From here you will be transferred to moshi then to Nairobi.