Adventure Kilimanjaro Trekking via Marangu Route

Day One: Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) Elevation Gain: 915 meters, 3,000 feet Leave Arusha at 8am for Marangu Gate. The drive to Marangu takes about 4 hours, and you will meet our guides, cooks and porters when arriving at the gate. After completing gate registration, begin your Kilimanjaro trek. Walk along a narrow trail through the Kilimanjaro rainforest for most of the hike. Eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni, day one's halfway point. After lunch continue walking through the rainforest until reaching Mandara Hut. Relax for the rest of the day or take a short walk to Maundi Crater. The views to the east over Taveta and to the northwest to Mawenzi Peak are stunning on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort.

Day Two: Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) Elevation Gain: 977 meters, 3,200 feet After breakfast, leave Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro's forests for Horombo Hut. Most of this day’s hike will be through Kilimanjaro's moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants. Eat a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut. If the weather is clear, enjoy beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at Horombo Hut at around 3pm and relax for the rest of the afternoon. Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered the best on Kilimanjaro. The small, A-frame buildings can accommodate up to eight people each and provide lodging for hikers ascending, descending and acclimatizing. In total, Horombo accommodates up to one hundred hikers and many more porters, cooks and guides.

Day Three: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters, 3,380 feet Leave Horombo Hut after breakfast to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro's upper altitudes. After hiking for about an hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream. After Maua, the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill. After lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro's Saddle. Although the environment on the way to Kibo is a bleak desert with little vegetation, you will enjoy stunning views of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Reach Kibo Hut around 3pm to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there. Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: BLD.

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. 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 (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to Arusha overnight or to the Airport.