6-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Hike with Extra Acclimatization

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, about 2 hours away, then register and commence the climb.

• Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment.

• A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys in the rainforest.

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path across the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing.

• Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. At this point, you may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 12km/7.5mi

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heathland

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Spend the day at Horombo Hut, allowing your body to acclimatize to the high altitude. You can do a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut, and lunch will either be packed or served at the hut, depending on your preference for the day.

• Ascend as you pass the last watering point.

• Walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with the upper heathland, but then disappears into a "moonscape".

• Eat dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Distance: 9km/5.5mi

Hiking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

• Commence the climb early in the morning, between midnight and 2:00 AM, to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim.

• Continue ascending to Uhuru Peak, 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, then descend from here.

• Stop 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 need all your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly "pole pole" and keeping 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 and 15km/9mi down

• Eat breakfast, then make a steady descent through moorland to Mandara Hut.

• Continue descending through the 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, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

• Meet your vehicle at Marangu Gate for the drive back to the hotel or the airport. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for a celebration!

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meal: Breakfast