•             Time hiking: 3-4 hours

•             Distance: About 8 km

•             Global locations: Montane Forest

Morning Trip Starting Points

Leave your Moshi or Arusha hotel after breakfast and drive to Marangu Gate. You will log in at the KINAPA and meet your mountain guides and porters. They will check your gear, weigh the porter loads, and give you more instructions before you start hiking. The starting point of the trail is among towering trees and flowers in the rainforest zone, where you may be able to see Colobus monkeys. The trail is considerably good thus a slow but steady climbing can be realized.

Mandara Hut Arrival

These A-frame huts are built a few steps from the edge of the forest; the sleeping arrangement is in dorm style bunks. After having steaming food in the communal dining hut, you can take a short evening walk around Maundi Crater with good views of northern Tanzania and Kenya weather permitting.

• Duration of the Hike: between 5 to 6 hours

• Distance Covered: Aproximately 12 kilometers

• Nature Type: Moorland

Meal Plan to the Moorland A sustained breakfast helps your further ascend out of the rainforest into the moor and heathland which is expected to have towering heather, wildflowers, and even some great views of Mawenzi Peak which is one of the three volcanic cones of Kilimanjaro.

Lunch During the Hike & Landscape

Plan to look out for supreme plants, e.g., Giant Lobelias, or Groundsel type of plants which grow in high altitude areas while having lunch in the middle of your hike and being guided by your trekking chef. Reach Horombo Hut Horombo Hut is situated on a plateau that has great views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, and it is the largest lodging facility along the Marangu Route from where you can enjoy the breathtaking views. After a long day, A good dinner in the dining hall and a few hours of rest under the stars is all to be required once you’re done relaxing in your hut.

(Difference From 5 Day Active Route)

• Optional Hike: Horombo Hut (3720m) -> Mawenzi Ridge (4310m) -> Back to Horombo Hut (3720m)

• Duration of Hike: 3-4 hours round trip

Importance Of That Extra Day This is an important acclimatization day which is part of the 6-day Marangu route to prepare one for the high altitude at Kibo Hut and Uhuru Peak Mawenzi Ridge, Trek short morning trek offers panoramic views across the saddle towards Kibo and a better understanding of the alpine desert environment of Kilimanjaro.  Return back to Horombo Hut for lunch, relaxation and possibly a nap to enhance one’s acclimatization process.

Rest & Exploration

The afternoons are left open for personal wandering, a good read or taking photos. Most evenings at Horombo are mostly cold and the sky clear, it is an ideal time to look at the stars.

• Hike Time: 5 to 6 hours

• Distance: ~10 Km

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

Crossing the Saddle:

The routeing is over the saddle separating Mawenzi and Kibo which is completely barren except for volcanic scree and scanty vegetation. This site can get cold suddenly and strong winds are prevalent; thus, wearing multiple clothes is recommended. Lunch or a snack is possible in this brief halt. As there is scanty water in the dry desert type alpine climate, remember to drink lots of water.

Reaching Kibo Hut: Kibo Hut, 4700m located on the sinuous footpath, marks the last place before starting the uphill climb to the peak of Mount Kilimajaro. So, get equipment and rest early, as you will be required to get up before midnight to get more of the climb ready.

The Day of the Uhuru Peak hottest day was authentic: the day that we Took Uhuru 5,895m & descended from peak to Horombo Hut which was located at the altitude of 3720m.The hike to Uhuru from Kibo Hut and back: 6-8 hours of hiking to the summit and 5 to 6 hours of descending (to Horombo)

• Distance: Ascending of roughly 6 km+ descending of 15 km

Location: As one gets higher towards the peak, the climate gets and becomes more arctic and when descending unclimbed gets moved towards an alpine desert and moorland.Kibo hut was scheduled to be departed from around 11 PM or mid night this was going to be my steepest part of the climb, up close to 5685 meters onto the rim of gilman’s point. As expected, this was the together with the frozen environment at the peak the toughest part of the trek, kind of exercising where physical effort is valid together with mental focus and endurance.”To reach the peak the process started while seated at gilman’s point and going through the rim of the stella point which is 5756m and from there moving upwards to the Uhuru of 5895m. In order to reach the finish summit which was the Uhuru, we were required to hold our gear and enjoy the radiant getting some great shots from the peak with the sunlight shining over the plains.An attempt was made to reach Uhuru while making sure to see Kibo Hut for getting some rest alongside Brunch, and the longer we took in those deep breaths, the lower the time given to descend while staying assured and cautious while making our way to the Horombo Hut to spend the remaining night in the mountain. And as the altitude was decreasing the energy levels around me were increasing making the respiration simpler.

• Time required for the climb – 5 – 6 hours

• Approximate distance – 20 km

• Type of Habitat – Moorland and Montane forests

Final Descent: The early manes will have time to enjoy a sumptuous breakfast before their last divider which will take them through the open moorland and onto the montane rainforest. They will be having a look at the splendid velvety lower slopes as they retrace their steps seeing familiar wholesale.

Certificates Completion: Push the sign out of Marangu Gate and receive the well-deserved Kilimanjaro climbing certificates (green ones are for Gilman’s/Stella Point, gold ones for clinbers who reached to Uhuru Peak). Say goodbye to your leaders and porters thanking them for their hard work.   Return on a celebratory note: Private transport is available to take you back to Moshi or Arusha. A few of the climbers decide to extend their trip by going on a Tanzanian safari to areas such as Palace National Park, Ngorongoro Crater etc.