This is the traditional and most straightforward route on the mountain. It is also the busiest and best equipped. If you accept that there will be others around, there are the advantages of good huts, good views of Mawenzi, and, of course, others to walk with. If you are traveling by yourself, this is the only route on which you can easily join a group.

INCLUDED

1: All food on the climb.

2: Transfer to and from the gate.

3: Tents (four seasons, 3-person mountain tent – double occupancy), 

chairs and tables & accommodation

4: Mattresses (sleeping pad foam, 1.5 inches thick)

5: First aid kit & bottle of oxygen & pulse oximeter & personal stretcher

6: Park fees, camping fees and rescue fees

7: Forest fees (where they apply)

8: Fees for the guides and porters (as per government regulations), 

(food and public liability insurance for the guides & porters)

9: Value Added Tax (VAT) and other government taxes

NOT INCLUDED

1: Transport back to the airport

2: 3 liters of water for the first day.

3: Drinks

4: Tips for guides and porters

5: Personal equipment for mountain climbing

Day One

Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro airport you will met our representative and be taken to Janibichi adventures Ltd.

After breakfast, we will take you to the Marangu Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park. Today, you will be walking through a beautiful rainforest with dense vegetation, sometimes on a muddy trail. We will be trekking at a slow, comfortable pace, allowing you enough time to enjoy the natural surroundings, take photos, and savor your packed lunch that we provide.

After approximately 4 hours of hiking, you will reach Mandara Hut. Here, you can make a detour to visit some waterfalls in the rainforest, which is well worth it. If you are interested, please let your guide know before you set off. The accommodation consists of comfortable dormitory-style chalets, but please be aware that there are no shower or bath facilities, and the toilets are basic. However, you will be provided with bowls of warm water in the morning, upon request, for washing.

Dinner and overnight at the Mandara Hut

We will continue the hike up to Horombo Hut, which involves a steep, sometimes wet, 20-minute walk through the upper part of the rainforest. This is followed by a 2km section of tall giant heather interspersed with large clumps of tussock grass. It's approximately 15km or 5 hours from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut.

As you ascend, the vegetation changes to stunted clumps of heather with 'everlasting' flowers and short tussock grasses. Lobelia and groundsels can be found in the wetter areas along the way.

Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut

Today is an extra day for acclimatization, and we'll make the most of it with a day hike up toward the Maundi Hut via the upper trail to a viewpoint at 14,100 feet (approximately 4 hours round-trip). If you're feeling very fatigued, we can also spend the day resting or exploring the nearby area. Birdlife is abundant at Horombo. Expect rain almost every afternoon, so plan your day hike to return to the lodge by 4 p.m. to enjoy a cup of tea and a good book.

Most climbers begin to feel the effects of altitude changes at this level. After the rain clears, Horombo typically offers beautiful sunsets and a night sky full of stars. 

Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut 

After breakfast, we will embark on a path that first goes west before turning northward towards Middle Red Hill and the Triplets. Heading west for the final 3km to Kibo Hut at 4,700m is a bit challenging but truly impressive for climbers. This alpine desert is filled with rocks and can make you feel like you're walking on the moon. While here, the view towards Mawenzi Peak to the east is absolutely spectacular.

Dinner and overnight at the Kibo Hut 

You will need to wake up very early to have a quick bite to eat and something warm to drink before setting out in darkness. The hike to Gilman's Point is a very slow, steep walk on volcanic scree, which takes about 5-6 hours. The headlamps on the trail towards the summit almost look like fireflies flying in a long row. As you approach the crater rim, you will enjoy the most memorable sunrise you may ever experience – the golden sunrise over Africa! You may repeatedly see the curving of the earth at this high altitude, and the sunrise on the horizon just accentuates it. Keep your camera ready at all times as there are plenty of opportunities for photographs along the summit.

Once you reach Gilman's Point on top of the crater rim, you are within reach of Uhuru Peak. Hiking to the peak involves fairly flat terrain and normally takes about 1.5 hours to reach Uhuru Peak (Summit of Africa). Spend a few minutes at the top to take photos next to the sign marking the summit. Descend from Uhuru Peak in high spirits, as you have just achieved your goal.

The trail down from Gilman's Point on the Marangu route is often enjoyed by hikers sliding down the scree slope. This entails skidding down the loose gravel with big steps and some sideways moves. It's a fun experience! With every step going down, your body enjoys having more oxygen to breathe in. Depending on how you feel, you may enjoy a short rest at Kibo Hut before descending down to Horombo Hut.

Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut 

Enjoy a slow hike through the rainforest to the Marangu Gate. Take time to enjoy the lush vegetation with the Old Man’s Beard (tree moss) growing on the giant trees as well as some giant ferns towering high over the forest bed. The path has many steps leading you down to Marangu Gate. You will be transferred back to Janibichi adventures Ltd/Zion Gates Foundation

Day Eight: Departure!