Marangu gate - Kilimanjaro (Marangu route)

Access to starting point:
From the international airport Kilimanjaro to the starting point run several minibuses or taxis. The time of driving is approximately 2h 30min.

Path description:
On the mountain lead a lot of various paths, but only described path offers overnight stays in cottages (on other paths we need to camp).
On the mountain Kilimanjaro we can't go without a licensed guide, which applies to all paths.
Our path, Marangu route starts at Marangu gate, which is at the altitude 1860 meters. We can choose between 5 or 6 day variant of the tour. One day we have in case of bad weather or only for a better acclimatisation.


1st day: Marangu gate (1860 meters) - Mandara hut (2715 meters) approx. 5 hours

A gentle path leads us through rainy tropical forest and almost a thousand altitude meters we walk really slowly. All the time we meet tourists and porters, who carry all needed for the comfort of their clients. We first time spend the night in the mountain hut, where we are pleasantly surprised by the comfort, which the mountain hut offers.

2nd day: Mandara hut (2715 meters) - Horombo hut (3705 meters) approx. 5 hours

Soon at the beginning of walking, on approx. 3000 altitude meters we leave the rainy forest and we pass into higher terrain of bushes. Here a view is already opening on Kilimanjaro and a little lower Mawenzi. This time as well walking itself won't be too strenuous because the path is well-settled and there is no need to be too careful. We again spend the night in cottages by which there are also very nicely settled toilet facilities.

3. day: Horombo hut (3705 meters) - Kibo hut (4730 meters) approx. 5 hours

We are breathing already a little harder but everything goes nicely because we walk really slowly or as the locals say "pole, pole" - slowly, slowly! Path brings us out of dwarf pines into a so-called high-elevation desert, where we will be accompanied by a strong, cold wind. Around beautiful views opening up in all directions, where reign Kibo in front of us and Mawenzi on our right. In spite of that the path is gentle, we have a hard time getting towards the mountain hut Kibo, because of the high altitude.

4. day: Kibo hut (4730 meters) - Uhuru peak (5895 meters) - Horombo hut (3705 meters) approx. 12 hours

In front of us is the most difficult day, because at the midnight we will go 1200 meters higher on the roof of Africa, where we will at sunrise reach our destination. The path itself technically isn't demanding, but because of its height, a smart approach is necessary - "pole, pole!" The hardest are first 900 meters, when we get to so-called Gilman's point (5681 meters) to which leads us a zig-zag path on a steep slope. From here on follows another hour and a half of walking to Uhuru peak. The path leads us by crater Kibo, past the glacier and it offers breathtaking views in all directions. In the last hour of hike to the summit, a lot of people lose their strength, therefore a lot of perseverance is needed, that we climb to the summit.
When we summit the highest peak of Africa on the top we don't stay longer than 15 minutes, because we are only on halfway. A descent from the mountain is much easier than ascent, because with every step we are lower. Follows almost 15 km to Horombo hut where we spend the night.

5. day: Horombo hut (3705 meters) - Marangu gate (1860 meters) approx. 6 hours

With the satisfaction of reaching the summit of Africa, we will from Horombo hut descend to our starting point, where we will with guides and entire team, who took care of us on the mountain all five days drink well-deserved beer.


Notes:
- on the mountain, plastic bottles are not allowed
- smoking is strictly forbidden
- alcohol is strictly forbidden


A slow approach is crucial to the summit, the peak. On the mountain is catered for breakfast, lunch and dinner by the agency. We need a good quality sleeping bag, because temperatures drop sharply at night. Mountain huts have comfortable beds so sleeping pads are not necessary.