Marangu Route
Marangu route is the easiest way up Mount Kilimanjaro with a high success rate. Unlike other routes, Marangu offers wooden hut accommodation for its climbers.
Itinerary
Day of arrival.
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by an Omura representative who will transfer you to your hotel. There, you will be given time to settle in before a meet and greet with your guides. In this meeting, we will brief you on what to expect on Mount Kilimanjaro and answer any last-minute questions you may have. After the briefing, we recommend an early night for an early pick-up the following day.
Day 1.
After breakfast, you will be collected from your hotel around 8:00 am and you will be driven to Marangu Gate, approximately 3 hours. After the registration process, we will still start the trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest. Within the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and monkeys. At these lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy so trekking poles will help. After dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation: 1,843m (6,046ft) to 2,700m (8,858ft)
Distance: 8km (5 miles)
Trekking Time: 7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest
Day 2.
Today we continue through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater, and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you will have the opportunity to climb up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo Peak. During the trek, you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude. Once at Horombo Hut you will be shown your sleeping quarters and be briefed about the following day by your head guide after dinner.
Camp: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 2,700m (8,858ft) to 3,720m (12,205ft)
Distance: 11.5km (7 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
Vegetation Zone: Rainforest and Low Alpine
Day 3.
Today serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and greatly improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, we will trek to the Zebra Rocks (4010m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. Spend the afternoon relaxing once we return to Horombo Hut.
Camp: Acclimatization trek to Zebra Rocks
Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft) to 4,010m (13,156ft)
Distance: 5km (3.1 miles)
Trekking Time: 4 hours
Vegetation Zone: Low Alpine
Day 4.
We continue our trek to Kibo Hut taking the lower-left route as it is the easiest trek to the huts. Once we reach Kibo Hut you will have an early dinner. We recommend resting and sleeping before being awoken at 11 pm to prepare for the summit climb. During dinner, you will be briefed for the following day by your head guide.
Camp: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft) to 4,703m(15,430ft)
Distance: 10km (6 miles)
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
Vegetation Zone: Low Alpine and High Alpine
Day 5 (Summit Day).
We start the summit climb at midnight and walk steeply upwards to the summit glaciers. We will be climbing slowly but gain incredible height over a short distance and pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. We will reach Gillman’s Point (5,681m) as the first rays of sunlight begin to show. Here we will take a short break to watch the sunrise over Africa. We continue for another 1-2 hours up to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). We begin our descent back to Kibo Hut for breakfast. After a short rest, you will continue to descend to Horombo Hut for a long well-earned rest.
Camp: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 4,703m(15,430ft) to 5895m (19,341ft) to 3,720m (12,205ft)
Distance: 16km (9.6 miles)
Trekking Time: 13-15 hours
Vegetation Zone: Glacial, High Alpine, and Low Alpine
Day 6.
On the final day we continue through the rainforest until we reach Marangu Gate, where we complete park formalities and present you with a certificate confirming you summited Mount Kilimanjaro. We are then met by our vehicles and transferred back to your hotel for a well-earned rest and celebration with your guides.
Camp: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation: 3,720m (12,205ft) to 1,843m (6,046ft)
Distance: 20km (12.5 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
Vegetation Zone: Low Alpine and Rainforest
Final Day.
After breakfast, a vehicle will transfer you to your next destination. If you have additional time we recommend you extend your stay. Omura offers safari packages to see nature at its finest or maybe a relaxing beach trip to Zanzibar.
