This route has a moderate slope, making it less difficult to climb. It is the most popular way up Kilimanjaro, and is the only route with emergency evacuation service. Also, it is the only route with huts, having dormitory and dining rooms, descending on the same route.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: From Marangu Gate (1,828m) to Mandara Hut (2,743m)
Elevation Gain: 915 meters
Hiking Time: 3 to 5 hours
Distance: 6 kilometers
At the gate you’ll meet the porters, guides, and cooks that will spend the next six days trekking with you. Registration and final preparations normally take almost an hour. After all that you will begin hiking with your guides to Mandara Hut, day one's destination. On this trek you will walk along a narrow trail through the rainforest of Kilimanjaro. While walking through the forest, you will enjoy the sounds of primates and birds and see many different species of trees, plants and flowers. Then will be lunch time and you can eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni, the day's halfway point. After lunch continue walking through the rainforest for another 1.5 hours to Mandara Hut. You will reach the hut about 2pm, here is the point you can rest until dinner.
Day 2: From Mandara Hut (2,743m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Elevation Gain: 977 meters
Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours
Distance: 11 kilometers
After breakfast, fetch Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro's forests. Most of day two's hike passes through bleak heather and moorland. Eat a picnic lunch at a spot called Kambi ya Taabu before continuing go to Horombo Hut. If the weather is clear, you will have a great views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at Horombo Hut at around 3pm and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing till dinner.
Day 3: From Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Mawenzi Hut (4,600m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Elevation Gain and Loss: 880 meters
Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
Day three will be spent acclimatizing and exploring the area around Horombo Hut. It is suggested to hike around all the way to Mawenzi Hut to allow for greater acclimatization. You will not only increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, but you will also be rewarded with amazing views of Kibo. You will return to Horombo Hut for a late, hot lunch. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at Horombo.
Day 4: From Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Kibo Hut (4,750m)
Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters
Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours
Distance: 11 kilometers
Fetch Horombo Hut after an early breakfast to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro's upper altitudes. After about an hour hiking, you will reach Maua River. Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill. After lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through the Saddle, the environment on the way to Kibo is bleak desert with little vegetation but you will see many stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Arriving to Kibo Hut about at 3pm, take enough rest and get ready for the midnight climb to the top. The Kibo huts are made of stone and are not very warm and that’s why you have to be sure you have put on enough warm clothes. Most hikers experience some of the effects of altitude sickness at this point, but if you feel very sick, you have to tell your guide about that.
Day 5: From Kibo Hut (4,750m) to Summit (5,895m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters
Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters
Hiking Time: 12 to 15 hours
Distance to Uhuru: 5 kilometers
Distance from Uhuru to Horombo: 16 kilometers
At midnight you will climb to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. Your hike begins with a five-hour hike to Gillman's Point on the crater rim. Although this is considered to be the easiest of the three crater ascent paths. The first major rest stop- William's Point, lies at 5000 meters and is just under two hours away from Kibo Hut. You will need to drink water and eat a snack at this point. Continue on for thirty minutes before beginning the rocky switchbacks that will continue to Gillman's Point (5,681 meters). The trek from Kibo Hut to Gillman's Point takes approximately five hours and is physically hardest part of the summit hike. After reaching Gillman's Point, rest for a few minutes and then continue on the crater hike towards Uhuru Peak.
The rest of the 1.5-km hike is a gradual climb and it is not very difficult. Because of the altitude you will need to proceed very slowly, and be very stubborn if you want to make it to the top. During the crater hike, you will pass by several glaciers. You will not be able to see the glaciers on your way to the top, you will see them on the way down. The crater rim hike takes about 1.5 hours and you should reach Uhuru Peak around sunrise. Take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut. On the way down from the summit, you will see all of the amazing views you could not see in the dark. Stop for some tea and a short break at Kibo Hut before continuing go on to Horombo Hut. Reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon and enjoy your last night on the mountain.
Day 6: From Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,828m)
Elevation Loss: 1,892 meters
Distance: 17 kilometers
Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours
After breakfast you'll finish the descent trek through the rainforest to Marangu Gate. You will be picked by our car to the Lodge.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Price per person per trip;
2 to 3 persons group: 1511 USD
4 to 6 persons group: 1421 USD
8 and above persons group: 1313 USD
The prices include:
- All park entrance, camping, hut and rescue fees
- All meals and filtered drinking water while on the mountain
- Camping equipment including mountaineering mess and sleeping tents, table & chairs, sleeping mattresses & pillows
- Guide, cook and porter salaries and fees
- Baggage porterage
- Transport to/from national park gates
Prices do not include: gratuities(tips), soda/alcohol unless otherwise noted, accommodations in Arusha or Nairobi unless otherwise noted, transfers to/from Nairobi unless otherwise noted, health/evacuation insurance, visa fees, international airfare, local airfare, airport taxes, laundry, Sleeping bag, Mountains gears and others not stated above as included.
Also see tour packages in:
Africa
Tanzania
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Hiking & Trekking
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