6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Marangu Route

Day 1: Arrival Day in Tanzania:

1. Arusha
   6h
   Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet with Aardvark Expeditions representative, and transfer to the Arusha Planet Lodge. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.

Day 2: Arusha – Marangu gate (1,860 m) – Mandara Hut (2,700 m):

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   4h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast you will be taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate at 1,840 m. Upon completion of the necessary paper work, your trek commences and soon you will be hiking through the dense rainforest of Marangu. Looking up, you might have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the thumbless black and white colobus monkeys. After you have reached the Mandara Hut (2,700 m) in approximately 4 hours and had some time to catch your breath, you can join a walk to the Maundi Crater. Enjoy wonderful views towards Kenya and over the gleaming lakes which share the border between Kenya and Tanzania. You will stay the night at Mandara Hut.

Day 3: Mandara Hut (2,700 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m):

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   5h · Admission ticket included
   An early breakfast gets you ready for the trek ahead and shortly after leaving Mandara Hut you will reach the cross roads between Horombo Hut and Maundi Crater. Heading in the direction of Horombo Hut the vegetation will change to shrubs and you will cross the open moor land reaching your destination in approximately 4 to 6 hours. Looking back your path will already be shrouded in clouds and looking forward you will catch glimpses of Mawenzi, Kibo peak and the Masai steppe. After your evening meal you will drift off to sleep at the Horombo Hut.

Day 4: Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Zebra Rocks (3,980 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m):

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   4h · Admission ticket included
   Zebra Rocks is on the agenda today, in order for your body to acclimatise to the altitude. Acclimatisation plays an important role in improving your chances to reach the summit and this 2 to 4-hour trek offers you the opportunity to stretch your legs and breathe in the fresh air. Zebra Rocks (3,980 m) is named after the distinct black and white stripes covering the rock formation. A hot lunch will await you on your return and the rest of the afternoon is for you to enjoy the spectacular views around you and regain your strength for tomorrow’s hike. You will stay another night at Horombo Hut.

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Kibo Hut (4,700 m):

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   5h · Admission ticket included
   After breakfast a long and tough journey to Kibo Hut awaits you. The vegetation slowly changes into alpine desert and you will pass the “last waterpoint” on your way to the so-called “saddle”, a plateau situated between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. You will arrive at the Kibo Hut in about 5 to 6 hours and go to bed straight after dinner as the summit calls for an early start, at approximately 11pm.

Day 6: Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m):

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   3h · Admission ticket included
   The summit day has finally arrived and at around midnight, when the lava ash is still frozen, you will start your ascent. Your path will be strenuous with only your headlights leading the way. You will pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,200 m and slowly make your way up. Gilman’s Point at 5,715 m will be reached as the sun rises over the crater rim. You will continue another 1 to 2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). The cold is soon forgotten as you stand on the “Roof of Africa”, basking in the sun. After a well-deserved photo opportunity, you will descend along the same path. The lava ash will now have thawed, allowing for a faster descent. Upon your arrival at Kibo Hut, a warm meal and approximate 2 hours rest awaits you, before you continue down to the Horombo Hut, where you will stay the night.

Day 7: Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Marangu Gate (1,860 m) – Drive Back to Arusha:

1. Mount Kilimanjaro
   8h · Admission ticket included
   The surrounding vegetation becomes greener as you continue your descent and soon you will arrive at the Mandara Hut (2,700 m), where a hot lunch awaits you. The journey back to the park gate gives you another chance to observe the beautiful tropical rainforest and spot anything you have missed on the way up, like the Impatiens kilimanjari flower, which is endemic to the rainforest on the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro. Arriving at the gate you will say goodbye to your mountain crew and be taken back to Arusha Planet Lodge to overnight on bed and breakfast basis. At the lodge you will enjoy a shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Day 8: Departure Transfer:

1. Arusha
   Pass by
   If your time in Africa ends today our transfer team will drive you back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your departure. If you have booked with us a safari or a few days to dissolve into the pristine sandy beaches and tropical waters of Zanzibar, we will be there to help you comfortably transition from your climb into your next Tanzanian adventure.
   
   Please Kindly Take a Note: Hotel check-out is at 11:00 AM. In case you need a late check-out because of an evening flight, there is the option to extend your hotel stay for an extra cost.

Pickup details

We would like to advise all our esteemed customers to tell us by phone the name of any hotel, Lodge or Hostel they stay so that we can easily meet them there and ready to start their safari in Tanzania as planned.

• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
• This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate