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Tanzania · Trekking
The journey
This 5-day trek follows the Marangu Route, the oldest and easiest path to the summit of Kilimanjaro, sometimes called the "Coca-Cola" Route. Climb at a gentle pace through rainforest and moorlands, then cross the Saddle, a high-altitude desert between Kibo and craggy Mawenzi, before making your summit push to Uhuru Peak. Along the way, enjoy the incomparable natural beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro, with striking views of Kibo and Mawenzi on clear days.
The vegetation begins in the upper heathland and then gradually disappears into a desert-like landscape.
From the itinerary
At a glance
Day by day
After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Marangu village and continue to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, a journey of about 45 minutes.
Register at the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority offices and begin the climb.
Walk through the rainforest to Mandara Hut, located at 9,000 ft / 2,740 m.
A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to experience the atmosphere of the northern part of Tanzania.
In the morning, at around 8:30 am after breakfast, begin trekking to Horombo Hut.
After about 1 hour, leave the rainforest glades and follow an ascending path across the open moorlands to Horombo Hut. On clear days, the views of Kibo summit and Mawenzi are stunning, and giant lobelias and groundsels can often be seen along the way.
Horombo Hut is where many climbers spend an extra day for acclimatisation, allowing the body to adjust and increasing the chances of successfully reaching the summit.
In the morning after breakfast, trek to the last water point, then continue into the Saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation begins in the upper heathland and then gradually disappears into a desert-like landscape.
At Kibo Hut, have dinner followed by a nap.
In the middle of the night, at around 11:30 pm, prepare for the summit climb.
Wake up early for a cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate with some snacks.
After a warm-up, begin the climb to the summit of Africa. The trek takes climbers to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim at 18,640 ft / 5,861 m, in about 4-7 hours.
After climbing further, ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 ft / 5,895 m, which takes about 1-2 hours. Climbers will need a flashlight, camera, sunglasses, and warm clothes, as it gets very cold.
At the summit, take pictures before descending to Kibo Hut for breakfast and rest.
Later, continue to Horombo Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.
After breakfast, make a steady descent through the moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700 m / 8,858 ft), the first stopping place on the Marangu Route.
Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m / 6,004 ft).
A vehicle will be waiting at Marangu village to transfer climbers back to the hotel in Moshi.
Where this trip takes you
rainforest trails, the Saddle high-altitude desert, Kibo and Mawenzi skyline, Uhuru Peak
The route
The fine print
2 nights' accommodation at Keys Hotel
Professional, experienced, English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guides
All park fees and rescue fees
All meals while on the mountain
Arrival and departure transfers
Guides, porters, cook salaries, and park fees
Quality mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Sleeping mattress
Tanzania visa
Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed above
Optional tours (short safari after your climb, etc.)
Tips and any items of a personal nature
Flashlight
Camera
Sunglasses
Warm clothes
Our Climbing Guides
Our guides are well trained and equipped, and their communication skills are of a high standard.
Be Properly Equipped
An essential part of your preparation is to ensure that you are well equipped for your summit attempt.
Be Physically Prepared
It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Mental Preparation
It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded.
This should be topmost in your mind when preparing for the summit attempt.
You should always remain in a positive state of mind.
Adequate Travel Insurance
Ensure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which also provides cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro.
Advance Booking
This will enable you to travel in the high season, which is January-March and September-October.
The high season is a good time to go because the weather conditions are safest for climbing.
Pack Well
Pack light, but make sure you have everything you need to deal with altitude and variations in temperature.
Choose Your Route
Make sure your hike is at least 6-7 days for maximum success. Any shorter, and you will not be properly acclimatized.
Routes vary in degree of difficulty, traffic, and scenic beauty.
The least difficult routes are Marangu and Rongai; the more difficult route is Machame.
The longer routes may involve more difficult hiking, but you will be better acclimatized, and your chances of reaching the summit are therefore higher.
The longer western routes also allow you to start your summit day at a more reasonable hour.
Go Slowly
Go slowly - "Pole Pole," as they say in Swahili. This is especially important during your first days of climbing.
Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery. The biggest cause of altitude sickness is ascending too high too fast. The slower you hike, the more time you give your body to acclimatize.
Drink Enough Water
Make sure that you drink at least 3-4 litres of liquid a day, preferably water.
For your first day, it is recommended that you take along fresh water.
Try to get bottles with screw tops, as this will also give you containers in which to carry water further up the mountain.
Running water on the mountain is safe to drink from day 2 onwards, but care should still be taken.
If you are not used to fresh water in nature, prevent any inconvenience by using water purification tablets.
Logistics
Your 5 days finish where they began, in Moshi.
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