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THE MARANGU ROUTE
Ever since tourism expanded on Kilimanjaro the Marangu Route has been the most popular
trail, and with a path that takes in such glorious features as the deep rich forest
of the south-
Itinerary for Marangu Route (28 June-
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts
Our trek begins at Marangu Gate (1860m), the home of the park authorities and the
busiest gate on the mountain. We put particular emphasis on being as early as possible
at the gates, for many reasons. For one thing, it means we don’t waste time queuing
up to register but can be processed immediately -
This first day takes us deep into the jungle bearding Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes. Being one of the first on the trail means we have the path ‘to ourselves’, enabling us to appreciate the mountain more and increase our chance of spotting wildlife on this first day, before they are frightened off by the noise of other groups. So we’ll be keeping an eye out for the beautiful colobus monkeys as well as blue monkeys, as well as some of the flowers for which Kilimanjaro is famed, and in which the Marangu Route excels, such as the vivid red Impatiens kilimanjarii and Gladiolus Wastonides.
Having taken lunch in a small clearing known as Kisamboni, we continue up the slopes
past small waterfalls alongside a babbling stream, to the Mandara Huts (2705m), our
accommodation for the first night. Another advantage of setting off early on this
first day is that you can choose the best spots in the dormitory before the other
trekkers arrive, and you can be sitting enjoying the popcorn served by your crew
whilst other trekkers are still struggling up the slopes. Those with the energy can
join me for a brief stroll to the Maundi Crater, home to some of the lesser-
Day 2: Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts
Today is an important one in your Kilimanjaro trek: a day when you not only climb
above the treeline and leave the forest behind, but also catch your first sight of
both the Mawenzi summit, Kilimanjaro’s second summit, but also its snow-
Today is also the day that we start to really pace ourselves, taking each step slowly,
to help us acclimatize to the increasingly rarified air. We are now in the heath
and moorland zone, Kilimanjaro’s second vegetation zone, with such unusual plants
as the giant groundsel and Lobelia deckenii decorating the path.
Our destination on this second day is the Horombo Huts (3719m), a chilly but welcoming
set of A-
Day 3: Horombo Huts to Mawenzi Huts and return to Horombo Huts
We might call it a rest day, but that doesn’t mean we actually rest! Instead, today’s walk takes us up the southern slopes of Mawenzi, to get some of the best views of Kibo to be had anywhere, as well as a gorgeous panorama overlooking the wild and inhospitable desert of the Saddle. We also visit places such as the strange Zebra Rocks – rocks streaked over the centuries by water until they resemble the flanks of a zebra.
This day is not just about sightseeing, however, for the rest day serves a more important purpose than that: helping your body to acclimatize fully, to make the rest of the trek easier – and hopefully help you to reach the summit too!
Day 4: Horombo Huts to Kibo Huts
The scenery once again changes to day as we leave just about all vegetation behind
to enter the windswept wilderness of the Saddle, the high-
Our goal on this fourth day are the Kibo Huts (4750m), set at the foot of the summit of the same name. Attractively built in stone, and with the occasional mountain buzzard soaring overhead for company, you’ll spend the rest of the day sleeping and eating in preparation for the night ahead…
Night 4/Day 5: Kibo Huts to summit and descend to Horombo Huts
Arising at around midnight, we begin our slow march up to Gilman’s Point (5681m) on the edge of the Kibo crater, past such features as Hans Meyer Cave (5151m). It’s a steep, slow, cold march and a test of your endurance – this is where you’ll earn your Kilimanjaro certificate. Nevertheless, providing you have avoided altitude sickness and have acclimatized well, there is no reason why you shouldn’t make it up to Gillman’s. This we reach, all being well, at around 5am, though it can be much later depending on your condition.
Our work is not yet over, however, for it’s around another hour and a half to Uhuru
Peak. The gradient on this last section, especially by the standards of this night,
is relatively flat – but at this altitude, every step can be exhausting. It is also
a glorious walk, however, with glaciers and snowfields on one side and with views
over the Kibo Crater on the other. At the end of the trail lies our ultimate destination,
Uhuru Peak – at 5895m the highest point in Africa! Here, if we’re on time, we can
watch the sun rise over the African continent, take photos – and take a breather
too!
After a rest at the top, we continue back down to Kibo Camp – a walk that is considerably quicker than it was on the way up! At Kibo we take breakfast and relax for an hour or so, before continuing our march down the mountain, through the Saddle, heath and moorland zones before stopping, finally, at the Horombo Huts once more. We should arrive there at about 4pm – and you have been walking for around 16 hours, less breaks! Exhausting but, if you made it to the top, you’ll think it was worth it!
Day 6: Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate and return to hotel
And so we come to the last day of our trek, as we march back through the forest to
Marangu Gate, smiling smugly at all those coming up the slope the other way. Stopping
at the Mandara Huts for lunch, we continue heading down until we once more reach
Marangu Gate, where those who conquered the mountain – or at least made it to Gillman’s
Point – collect their certificates. A jeep will be waiting to take everyone back
to their hotel – and the land of cold beers and warm showers. Your adventure of a
lifetime is at an end – and civilization will rarely have felt so good!