Marangu gate - Kilimanjaro (Marangu route)

Access to starting point:
From Kilimanjaro International Airport to the starting point, several minibuses or taxis run. The driving time is approximately 2 h 30 min.

Route description:
Several different paths lead up the mountain, but only the described path offers overnight stays in huts (on the other paths it is necessary to camp).
You cannot set off for Mount Kilimanjaro without a licensed guide, which applies to all paths.
Our path, Marangu route, starts at Marangu gate, which is at an altitude of 1860 m. We can choose between a 5- or 6-day variant of the tour. One day helps in case of bad weather or just for better acclimatization.


1st day: Marangu gate (1860 m) - Mandara hut (2715 m) approx. 5 hours

A gentle path leads us through the rainy tropical forest and we cover almost a thousand altitude meters really slowly. All the time we meet tourists and porters who carry everything necessary for the comfort of their clients. For the first time we experience overnight stay in a hut, where we are pleasantly surprised by the comfort that the hut provides.

2nd day: Mandara hut (2715 m) - Horombo hut (3705 m) approx. 5 hours

Soon at the beginning of the hike, at approx. 3000 m above sea level, we leave the rainy forest and transition to the higher world of shrubbery. Here the view already opens onto Kilimanjaro and slightly lower Mawenzi. Also this time the walking itself will not be excessive effort since the path is nicely arranged and there is no need for excessive caution. Again we overnight in huts next to which there are also very nicely arranged sanitary facilities.

3rd day: Horombo hut (3705 m) - Kibo hut (4730 m) approx. 5 hours

We are already breathing a little harder but everything progresses nicely since we walk really slowly or as the locals say "pole, pole" - slowly, slowly! The path takes us beyond the shrubbery into the so-called high-alpine desert, where a strong, cold wind will accompany us. Around us beautiful views open in all directions, where Kibo ahead of us and Mawenzi on our right reign. Despite the path being gentle, we struggle to push towards Kibo hut, since the high altitude is already noticeable here.

4th day: Kibo hut (4730 m) - Uhuru peak (5895 m) - Horombo hut (3705 m) approx. 12 hours

Ahead of us is the hardest day, since at midnight we will set off 1200 m higher to the roof of Africa, where at sunrise we will reach our goal. The path itself is not technically demanding, but due to its altitude a smart approach is needed - "pole, pole!" The hardest are the first 900 meters, when we push to the so-called Gilman's point (5681 m) to which a serpentine path on a steep slope leads us. From there another hour and a half of walking to Uhuru peak awaits us. The path leads us along Kibo crater, past the glacier and offers us magnificent views in all directions. In the last hour of the ascent to the summit many people falter, so great perseverance is needed to "drag ourselves" to the top.
Once we conquer Africa's highest peak we do not stay at the top longer than 15 minutes, since we are only halfway. The descent from the mountain is significantly easier than the ascent, since with every step we are lower. Almost 15 km of path to Horombo hut awaits us where we overnight.

5th day: Horombo hut (3705 m) - Marangu gate (1860 m) approx. 6 hours

Satisfied from conquering Africa's peak we will descend from Horombo hut to our starting point, where with the guides and the entire team that cared for us on the mountain all five days we will drink a well-deserved beer.


notes:
- plastic bottles are not allowed on the mountain
- smoking is strictly forbidden
- alcohol is strictly forbidden


A slow approach is crucial for conquering the summit. On the mountain breakfast, lunch and dinner are provided by the agency. A quality sleeping bag is necessary, since temperatures drop sharply at night. The huts provide comfortable beds so pads are not needed.

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