8 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Hike Marangu Route

8 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Hike Marangu Route

The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain. Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.

Day1:
Nairobi- Moshi

Nairobi to Moshi. The tour leaves Nairobi from the Parkside Hotels, where you will catch the Nairobi to Moshi express bus, this is a public shuttle service. You are asked to meet at your Nairobi Hotel at 7.15am sharp! The journey to Moshi takes between 6 and 7 hours, including the stop at the border. Drop off is at the Moshi shuttle station where a representative will transfer you to your hotel. On arrival at the Hotel in Moshi you will be met by a Kilimanjaro Climb representative who will run through all pre-climb details. Overnight stay, at a hotel. NB Money changing facilities in Moshi are limited. ATM's are available and accept Visa card, but not Mastercard.

DAY 2:
Moshi to Kilimanjaro N.P. After breakfast, you are collected from your hotel and transferred to the Kilimanjaro National Park. Your climb will begin through the lower rainforest, up to Mandara Hut for 3-4 hours, at 2750m, where you stay overnight in the purpose built chalets.

DAY3:
Maundi Crater- Horombo Hut -3720m.
Kilimanjaro. We climb out above the forest and continue trekking past the Maundi crater, to ascend to the open moorland - this should take about 5-6 hours. Tonight you camp at Horombo Hut at an altitude of 3720m.

DAY 4:
Horombo Hut (3720m) – Zebra Rocks (3980m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
We take the day to acclimatise, greatly improving our chances of successfully reaching the summit of Kilima
|njaro on this hike. After a relaxing breakfast we trek for about 4 - 5 hours to reach the Zebra Rocks (3980m), a rock formation named after the distinctive black and white stripes on the rocks. Returning to Horombo Hut we enjoy a warm lunch prepared by our mountain team. The afternoon is free for you to relax and rest up before setting off on the next leg of our Marangu Hike the following day. We have dinner in the evening and spend another night at Horombo Hut.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
A long and challenging trek awaits us today, lasting about 5 - 6 hours. Our destination is Kibo Hut with the hiking trail passing the “Last Waterpoint” followed by the so-called “saddle” en route. Today the Kilimanjaro Hike takes us through a barren plateau joining the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi.
Tonight we enjoy an early dinner and get an early night.

Day 6: Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Today is the most exciting day on our Marangu Hike as we will reach the summit of Kilimanjaro! We start the final stretch of the trek at night while the lava ash is still frozen, making it is easier to walk on. The mountain guide wakes you at 23:00 hrs and by midnight we set off on the long and tough trek to the summit. Making our way slowly but surely up Kilimanjaro we pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. We reach the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, Gillman’s Point at 5715m, as the sun rises casting its warming rays over the surrounding landscape.
Leaving the cold night behind us we hike for a further 1 - 2 hours to reach the highest point of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak. Standing at 5895m on Uhuru Peak you will be rewarded with magnificent sweeping views of the lower slopes of Africa’s tallest mountain and the landscapes below. Here you experience the inspiring sense of achievement at having climbed to the “Roof of Africa”!
We retrace our steps following the same trail back down Kilimanjaro. The now-thawed lava ash makes for a speedy descent to Kibo Hut, where a warm meal and welcome from the mountain team awaits you. After a 1 - 2 hour break to regain strength we continue our Marangu hike to Horombo Hut (3720m), arriving in the afternoon. The evening meal is followed by a well-deserved early night!

Day 7: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1840m) – Arusha/Usa River
The final stretch of this Kilimanjaro Hike passes through heath and moor terrain as we return to the Mandara Hut at 2700m. After a warm lunch at Mandara Hut we head back into the tropical rainforest reaching the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m) after 6 hours trekking today.
At the gate we say goodbye to our mountain guides and transfer back to the Green Hills of Africa, where we spent the first night of this hike up Kilimanjaro. Back at the lodge you can warm up with a shower or take a refreshing dip in the pool relaxing after your days on the mountain. The last evening is spent relaxing at the lodge, celebrating your great feat of successfully reaching the summit of the Mount Kilimanjaro!
Our evening meal and last overnight stay will be at the peaceful lodge in moshi
Day 8: Moshi/Nairobi -
Moshi to Nairobi. You will be collected by the shuttle bus at your choice of two scheduled time. We will organize this to your wishes in advance. Moshi - Nairobi, 6 - 7 hours including border crossing. Drop off at Nairobi Hotel