5-Day Mt Kilimanjaro Summit Trek via Marangu Route
Highlights
Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro
mountaineering, nature, trekking
Group Tour
5 Days
Challenging
English
Description
Take the oldest Marangu Route (Coca-Cola Route) to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and follow the trail that goes through the lush rainforest, heath and moorland on this 5-day tour. Trek to the Alpine desert and ultimately to the arctic zone at the peak and take the same route down.
Itinerary
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Day 1 : Marangu Hut to Mandara Hut
- Start at 8 a.m. and take a short drive from Moshi town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m), which lies at the edge of Marangu.
- Complete the entrance formalities and climb up through an attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m).
- Go on an excursion to the volcanic remains of Maundi Crater in the afternoon or take a rest and enjoy the beautiful forest brimming with rich birdlife and monkeys.
Duration of the walk: 3-5 hours walk to the Mandara Hut
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Day 2 : Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Take a steep ascent through the forest and arrive in the grassy moorland. Get good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks from here if the weather is clear.
Climb steadily through the moorland zone, which contains giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel.
Reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning. This region is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo and there is a real sense of being above the clouds.
Duration of the walk: 4-6 hours from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
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Day 3 : Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
- Take a gradual climb towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain has a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness.
- Arrive at Kibo Hut(4,700 m) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday (to contemplate the summit ascent). Take a rest and prepare for the final climb.
Duration of the walk: 4-5 hours from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut.
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Day 4 : Summit Day and Down to Horombo Hut
Begin the ascent at 1 a.m. and reach Gillman’s Point (5,685 m) by sunrise.
Take some rest and spend some time marvelling at the beauty of the incredible sunrise view.
Make the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m) if you are not tired.
Pass by the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. Return to Horombo Hut for the night.
Duration of the walk: 5-6 hours to Gillman's point and 3-4 hours back to Horombo Hut.
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Day 5 : Horombo Hut to Moshi
Enjoy breakfast and begin a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara.
Take a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day.
Return to Moshi at the end of the tour.
What's Included
What's Excluded
Know Before You Go
Meeting Point
Cancellation Policy
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For cancellations upto 2 days before the tour -
Refund of 80% of the tour price.