TANZANIA CH 0012 - MOUNT KILIMANJARO TREKKING
(MARANGU ROUTE)
Day 1:
Arrive in Nairobi and depart by Shuttle to Tanzania via Arusha and drive to Marangu bypass Moshi Town. You pass through flower-studded meadows with coffee and banana farms of the Wachagga, inhabitants of the lower slopes, and finally you reach the hotel. There you will meet your local guides / porters and make a final check-up on all your mountain equipment. SPRINGLANDS HOTEL (D).
Day 2:
The route begins at the National Park – Marangu Gate at 6000ft. It is 5.5 miles (3 to 4 hours) walk through rain forest, attractive in all its shades of green and accompanied by the melody of an orchestra of colorful tropical and alpine birds. The path leads you to Mandara Hut MANDARA HUT – 2,743m
Day 3:
The second day’s journey is a short walk from the forest into the moor-land to Horombo Hut, and is reached in some 5 or 6 miles trekking. HOROMBO HUT – 3,720M
Day 4:
Mist and vegetation including cactus – like giant groundsel, gradually disappear as you pass the last water and near the saddle, a sort of high altitude desert with a lunar landscape between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Kibo Hut is reached in 6 to 7 hours (10 miles) KIBO HUT – 4,700m
Day 5:
About 1.00am you are awakened and begin the steep, most demanding, final ascent through scree and snow to the top of Kibo. By about day break, you should reach Gillman’s point on the Crater rim. Time, weather and stamina permitting, you should continue for about 45 min. of easier hiking to the highest point <<UHURU PEAK>> - 5,895m (where there is a superb view of scintillating ice walls set off by rugged rocks tot the left, the central ash cone with its dome like <<glacier>> and ice chams of the Crater floor). After a rapid descent to Kibo Hut for a meal and rest, you continue down to Horombo Hut HOROMBO HUT.
Day 6:
It is a long walk from Horombo to Park Headquarters at Marangu Gate, where you are awarded an official Climbing Certificate by Tanzanian Guides. You continue down to your hotel for a well-earned hot bath, meals and overnight. SPRINGLANDS HOTEL (D).
Day 7:
In the morning, you depart on the shuttle bus back to Nairobi for your flight to Johannesburg (B).
Walking times:
Marangu gate – Mandara Hut: 3-4 hours
Mandara Hut – Horombo hut: 5-6 hours
Horombo hut – Kibo hut: 5-6 hours
Kibo hut – Gilmans point: 5-6 hours
Gilmans point – Uhuru pak: 1-2 hours
Mountain Climbing Information
