For those that can’t bear sleeping in a tent or during the wettest months, the 5 Days Marangu Route remains a good choice. It is, however, very busy and does not see as much of the mountain as western routes.

The 5 Days Marangu Route up Kilimanjaro remains a popular choice for many visitors. Accommodation is in shared huts with bunk beds and the ascent is via Gilman’s point on the rim of the Kibo Volcano. This route descends the same way it ascends.

Hike Distance – 47miles / 68 km

Vertical Gain – 12,878ft / 3925m

Drop – 13,176ft / 4016m

Trekking Time – 35 hours

DAY 1 – MANDARA HUTS

START – 6,464FT / 1970M

END – 8,924FT / 2720M

DISTANCE – 5 MILES / 8KM

TIME – 3-5 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast you depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. At the gate your crew finalise packing and after finishing with formalities you start hiking from Marangu Gate. A picnic lunch is taken on route and in the afternoon, you arrive at Mandara Hut. An option of a short walk can be taken to Maundi Crater in the afternoon if desired.

DAY 2 – HOROMBO HUTS

START – 8,924FT / 2720M

END – 12,205FT / 3720M

DISTANCE – 7 MILES / 11KM

TIME – 5-7 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – AFROMONTANE FOREST

After breakfast you set out for Horombo Huts. The altitude gain today is significant and so a gentle pace is ideal to slowly gain altitude. By mid-afternoon you reach camp and can relax. You have 2 nights here to adjust to the altitude.

DAY 3 – KIBO HUT

START – 12,205FT / 3720M

END – 15,486FT / 4720M

DISTANCE – 6 MILES / 9KM

TIME – 4-6HRS

CLIMATE ZONES – HEATH / ALPINE DESERT

You start off early to the final hut before the summit attempt. Your crew ensure that water is collected at the last water point whilst you progress slowly up onto the saddle. Here desolate alpine zone stretches out towards the base of Kibo. Progress is slow in this hypoxic (low oxygen) environment but by mid-afternoon you reach Kibo Hut to relax before the evening ascent. A relatively early dinner is taken and then you climb into your sleeping bags for some rest before your night time departure for the summit.

DAY 4 – SUMMIT BID / HOROMBO HUTS

START – 15,486FT / 4720M

END – 12,205FT / 3720M

DISTANCE – 13 MILES / 21KM

TIME – 13-17 HRS

CLIMATE ZONES – ALPINE DESERT / ARCTIC / HEATH

Rising early (normally before midnight) you start out from Kibo Hut towards the peak. At night time the scree sections are normally much firmer and the night time start enables the best chance of a clear summit attempt. It takes around 6 hours to reach Gilman’s Point and then a further 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak (Alt 19,341ft, 5985m) the top of the highest free standing mountain in the world and the roof of Africa! You then descend the same route before a short stop at Kibo Hut for a refuel and rest. By the evening you descend back down to Horombo Huts for dinner and one last sleep.

DAY 5 – ARUSHA

START – 12,205FT / 3720M

END – 6,164FT / 1879M

DISTANCE – 12 MILES / 19KM

TIME – 5-7 HRS

CLIMATE ZONE – HEATH / AFROMONTANE FOREST

The final descent takes you back through the heath zone and forest to Marangu Gate. After taking the diplomats, lunch and saying farewell to your crew, you are picked up and transferred back to your lodge for a well deserved shower! Later that evening you will be visited by a Trip Champions representative to congratulate you, to find out how the trip went and to answer any final questions you may have about your onward journey.

5 Days Marangu route Includes:

• Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)

• 18% VAT on tour fees & services

• Three health and fresh meals

• Professional and experienced mountain Guide

• Professional and experienced cooks.

• Transportation to & from the airport

• Transportation to & from the mountain gates

• Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment.

• Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides

• Radio and cell phone communication that help us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise

• We provide our guides with professional first aids kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates of acclimatization progress

• Assistance with climbing permit procedure

5 Days Marangu route Excludes:

• Personal porters

• All international and domestic flights

• Tourist Visas

• Medical and Travel insurance

• Tips to mountain crew

• Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)

• Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)

• A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)

• Others; Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as included.

• Any other alterations to our itineraries

• Emergency Oxygen