Mountain Kilimanjaro
Zielreise Adventure offers guided treks up the Marangu Route, which is the easiest and shortest path to reach Kilimanjaro's summit. This route is known as the "Coca Cola" or "tourist" route. It provides the comfort of solar-powered sleeping huts with comfortable beds at every campsite. The huts are communal, with each bunk having a sponge mattress and pillow. Mandara and Kibo Huts have 60 beds each, while Horombo Hut has 120 beds. Bathrooms and running water are available at the two lower huts. However, basic men's and ladies' latrines are available at the last camp. All climbing groups, often consisting of individuals from several countries around the world, share meals in dining huts, which creates a jovial and energetic atmosphere. Soft drinks, bottled water, and beer are available for purchase at the huts. It's recommended to bring small Tanzanian bills to purchase these items as their prices increase with elevation. Typically, this route is done in 5 days, but you can take 6 days to hike for better acclimatization. You can spend your extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a base camp below Kibo's sub-peak, Mawenzi.
Day 1: ARRIVAL IN MOSHI / KILIMANJARO
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by a representative who will
transfer you to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi. Here, you will have dinner and spend the night.
Your trekking guide will meet with you to brief you on the upcoming trek and check your equipment
to ensure you have all the necessary gear. In case any gear is missing, it can be rented on this day.
You will spend the night in Moshi before beginning your trek.
Day 2: MARANGU GATE TO MANDARA HUT.
To start your day, have breakfast and then leave Moshi town at 08:30 AM. After a 60 to 90 minute drive,
you will arrive at Marangu Gate, located on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. At the park gate, complete
the necessary paperwork, including registrations. The hiking journey starts at around 9:30 AM.
You will trek through the enchanting rainforest, starting from the park gate at 6,000 feet,
and make your way to Mandara Hut at 9,000 feet. The hike will take approximately 3 to 4 hours,
with a halfway stop for lunch. You will arrive at Mandara Huts around 01:00 PM. Once there,
you will enjoy a brief tour of the area before settling into the Hut for an evening meal and spending the night.
Altitude: 1,830 m - 2,700 m
Hiking distance: 11 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Day 3: MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT
You will have breakfast at 7:30 AM, and then get ready for the next leg of your journey.
You will leave the campsite by 8:30 AM, and hike through the serene rainforest clearings for an hour.
Then, you will follow a rising trail through heathland where you can spot giant lobelias and groundsels.
After that, you will continue upward into open moorlands where small shrubs dominate the vegetation.
You can take a break midway for lunch and enjoy the breathtaking views of Mawenzi.
You will reach the Horombo Huts by 3 PM, and from there, you can see the summit of Kibo.
Take some time to rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Restrooms with running water are available.
It's important to note that the effects of altitude may start to manifest here.
To aid in acclimatization, you have the option to either rest for an extra day at Horombo
or embark on a climb to a basecamp below Kibo's sub-peak, Mawenzi.
Altitude: 2,700 m – 3,720 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Day 4: HOROMBO HUT | KIBO HUT
Start your day with a usual breakfast, and if you wake up early, capture some beautiful sunrise photos.
The first part of today's hike will take you through the shrinking heathland, gradually turning into a
landscape that looks like the moon as you approach the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo.
Take some time to observe the ascent up Kibo's summit during lunchtime and as you traverse this
unexpectedly large saddle, and be aware of any symptoms of altitude sickness. It's important to note
that there is no running water available at the Kibo Huts.
Altitude: 3,720 m – 4,700 m
Hiking distance: 10 km
Hiking time: 6–7 hours
Day 5:
You need to wake up at midnight and have a light breakfast to prepare for your summit ascent.
The aim is to climb before dawn to reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise. Leave at 1 AM,
climb up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft
between 5 and 7 AM. You will be greeted with amazing views of the fabled crater and its icecaps.
Hike for another 2 hours along the crater rim near the celebrated snows, and you will reach Kilimanjaro's
true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. It is Africa's highest point, and you would need to travel over 3,000 miles
towards the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Remember to take a picture at the summit to show your friends.
After your summit stays, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things,
and recross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep!
Day 6:
Wake up as usual, pack your bags, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Once you reach there,
have lunch and continue your journey down through the lush forest to the park gate. You should reach the gate
around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters as you will be leaving them here. A vehicle
will take you back to the Springlands Hotel in Moshi, where you can celebrate your successful climb of Kilimanjaro.
You can depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. If you need some rest,
you can plan a trip to the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar. We can arrange reasonably priced trips
and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region.
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