Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is a 6-day Mount Kilimanjaro climbing package. This is one of the best African mountain hikes.
On this adventure, you will be using the Marangu route. This is the most popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro climbing. It is for this reason that this Mount Kilimanjaro climbing route is also known as the Coca Cola.
Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing – Marangu Route
Using Mount Kilimanjaro route takes you through the rainforest at Marangu Village. This is before your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing goes into the heath and moorland.
You will then go into the alpine desert of the saddle. This is between Mawenzi and Kibo. You will be lucky to get on to the crater rim at Gillman’s Point.
It is only half of all Mount Kilimanjaro trekkers that reach the point. All huts except Kibo have running water. All the huts used on this Mount Kilimanjaro climbing package have toilets.
About the Marangu Route on Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing
The Marangu route is the oldest, most well established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style. All the other Mount Kilimanjaro routes have accommodations in camping.
There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Guests will have mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required.
The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms. These include flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts. You will have long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut.
Many favor Marangu because it is the easiest path on the mountain. This is because of its gradual slope and direct path.
The short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization pretty difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu route is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes. This is because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason.
Detailed Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Itinerary
Day 1: MARANGU GATE (5,900 ft) – MANDARA HUT (8,860 ft)
- Elevation Gain: 943 meters (3,000 feet)
- Walking Time:3-4 hours
- Distance: 7km
Meet and greet will be in Arusha or Moshi by our Tanzania safari rep. Take some time on briefing on your Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing tour. You will then leave for your Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing expedition.
Enjoy two hours transfer to Marangu village. At the gate you will register and complete other administrative formalities. You will have an opportunity of meeting with porters and guides. It is from here that you begin the 4 to 5 hour walk to Mandara Hut.
The walk is at a relaxed pace through a dense and humid forest. If you feel up to it at day’s end, walk to the nearby Maundi crater. From here you will have a long view over the plains and Lake Jipe.
From a distance you will also be able to see the Pare and Usambara mountains. You will have the night at Mandara Hut.
Mandara Huts which accommodate up to seventy people and feature beds with mattresses. There are several sleeping huts and a dining area.
Day 2: MANDARA HUT – HOROMBO HUT (12,200 ft)
Elevation Gain: 977 meters (3,200 feet)
Walking Time:5-6 hours
Distance: 11km
Your Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing day will start early today. This is with an early morning breakfast will warm you for the walk. Start with 45 minutes trek into the forest. This walk takes upon an area of high grasses of the heather belt.
You will continue with the trek into the moorland. Note the change in vegetation from grasses to desert-like. There will be a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu during the hike.
If the skies are clear you will have a chance to witness the scenic views of the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
The days hike will be between 5 to 6 hours depending on one’s pace. This walk will bring you to Horombo Hut. From here you can enjoy the stunning view of Mawenzi Peak.
The Horombo Huts are quite busy but they’re considered to be the finest huts on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Night will be in one of the huts in Horombo.
Day 3: HOROMBO HUT – ACCLIMITIZATION DAY
Enjoy an extra Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing day in Horombo Hut. This is to help your body acclimatize. You will also have time to absorb the beautiful scenery.
You can trek to the base of Mawenzi. This is nearly 15,000 feet (4,600 m). This trek passes through the Zebra Rock.
There is a striking landscape of the moorland zone. Your overnight will be at Horombo Hut.
Day 4: HOROMBO HUT – KIBO HUT (15,430 ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters (3,380 feet)
Walking Time: 6-8hours
Distance: 10km
Mount Kilimanjaro climbing on this day will take about 6 to 7 hours. After breakfast you will hike through the moorland and the alpine desert region.
After hiking for about an hour we will encounter a small mountain stream called the Maua River. The trek takes you across the alpine desert of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi.
Once you pass Maua you will notice that the terrain gets smoother. You will have an appetising lunch at the Middle Red Hill.
The last fresh water point is at 14,100 ft. (4,300 mt.). At this point it will be necessary to refill your water bottles.
Your porters will carry the rest of the water required for food and hot beverages. The saddle crossing is impressive and the landscape spectacular. Night will be at Kibo Hut where you need to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.
Day 5: KIBO HUT – UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft) – HOROMBO HUT
Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters (3,760 feet)
Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters (7,140 feet)
Walking Time:11-13hours
Distance:18km
This is the D-day on Mount Kilimanjaro climbing. You will be upearly with a steaming cup of coffee or tea. This should be at midnight to prepare to leave by 0100hrs.
The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight. These are between 10 ᴼF (-12ᴼC) to –10 ᴼF. (-23 ᴼC) just before dawn at Gillman’s point. This is about 18,652 ft. (5,685 m) on the crater rim.
The winding scree path of endless switchbacks will carry you through the night. At dawn the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun.
This will be from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater. This is near the Ratzel Glacier.
From Gillman’s Point, you have another 1.5-hour trek over a gentle slope. Go around the edge of the crater rim to the target point, the Peak. Uhuru Peak stands at 19,340 ft. (5,895 m).
You will enjoy some short time at the summit enjoying your conquest. After some photo moments on top of Africa, you start the descent. You will go down the steep scree trail back to Kibo Hut.
You will enjoy some rest at this point. Proceed further down to Horombo Hut for the night.
Day 6: HOROMBO HUT – MARANGU GATE – ARUSHA
Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters (6,295 feet)
Walking Time: 5-6hours
Distance: 19km
Your Mount Kilimanjaro climbing takes descends straight to the gate of Marangu. This will be approximately 6 hours of walking. You will have lunch on arrival at the gate. Finish your expedition with a transfer back to Arusha.
End of 6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing in Tanzania
6 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Cost
Included in 6 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Cost
- Transport from/to park gate & airport transfer
- Park, rescue and hut accommodation fees
- Professional English-speaking guide(s); porters & cook
- 6 breakfasts; 5 lunches; 4 dinners
- Water; tea and coffee with meals
Not Included in 6 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Cost
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Pre and post Kilimanjaro climbing accommodation
- Visa and passport fees
- Increases in park fees where applicable
- Personal equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Gratuities / tips for guide(s), porters & cook
- Soda and Alcoholic beverages
