Rustic Volunteer and Travel
 
Volunteer Travel Tanzanial

Climbing Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route – 7 Days

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route is the most popular route. Its ease and gradual ascents make this route the ideal trek for those of varying age and physical ability. Populated by a number of hikers year-round, the Marangu Route is easily completed in seven (7) days and stops off in huts along the path - all usually accommodating to visitors; offering bunk beds. Porters and guides help you along the way as you attempt to reach Uhuru Peak .


 
Detailed Itinerary

DAY ONE: Arrive in Arusha
Arrive in Arusha (from Nairobi ) and relax before setting out on your Mount Kilimanjaro Climb.
Overnight Accommodation: None
Meals included : none

DAY TWO: Arusha to Mandara Hut
From Arusha, depart for Mandara Hut via Marangu Gate. En route, trek through farmlands, the mountain's surrounding rainforests (often labeled the most beautiful area due to its paradoxical presence alongside the mountain). Emerge from the thick trees and ascend to Mandara Hut.
Overnight Accommodations: Mandara Hut (shared room-bunk bed)
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

DAY THREE: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
From Mandara Hut, continue your ascent through small forests and onto the foundation of the Maundi Crater - completely emerging from the mountain's surrounding rainforests and entering the moorlands. Here, there are opportunities to view the Kibo volcano and its surrounding glaciers. Continue your day's trek onto Horombo Hut where the evening temperatures often dip down into freezing levels.
Overnight Accommodations:   Horombo Hut (shared room-bunk bed)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY FOUR: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Hut
At Horombo Hut, you will find a virtual village of huts inhabited by fellow hikers and their respective guides, cooks and porters. From Horombo Hut, the path to Mawenzi Hut is a very gradual ascent and is vital to successfully, efficiently and safely acclimating yourself to the soon-to-be extremely high altitude of Mount Kilimanjaro . The trek here usually consists of journeying past Zebra Rocks en route to Mawenzi Hut.
Overnight Accommodations: Mawenzi Hut ( shared room-bunk bed )
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY FIVE: Mawenzi Hut to Kibo Hut
This day reveals a more difficult side of the Kilimanjaro climb as you ascend to an elevation of 4700 meters where the air becomes considerably thin. A series of ascents (5-7 hours, followed by another 2-hour trek) take participants past various landscapes - cactus, broad deserts - before arriving in a region known as "the saddle" (an area situated between Kibo and Mawenzi at an elevation of approximately 4700 meters). Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, make all necessary preparations needed to ensure that the next early morning/late night summit attempt is a successful one.
Overnight Accommodations: Kibo Hut (shared room-bunk bed)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY SIX: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Awake in the middle of the night (just before midnight), beginning your summit attempt by first ascending to Hans Meyer Cane at an altitude of 5150 meters. After a brief (but much-needed) rest, continue ascending to an elevation of 5680 meters at Gillman's Point where the remainder of the trek leading up to the summit is usually lined with snow-filled paths and extreme temperatures. Finally, climb to an elevation of 5895 meters at Uhuru Peak where you can remain for a short time. Extended periods of time spent at the summit are NOT recommended, so you should make your descent as soon as possible. A number of descents (usually done so in six hours total) are required to return to Kibo Hut (three hours) then Horombo Hut where the day's adventure will end.
Overnight Accommodations: Horombo Hut ( shared room-bunk bed )
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

DAY SEVEN: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate - Arusha
From Horombo Hut, continue descending Kilimanjaro, passing Marangu Hut and finally exiting the park via Marangu Gate. By overland vehicle, return to Arusha - completing your conquest of Mount Kilimanjaro .
Overnight Accommodations : None 
Meals Included : Breakfast

NOTE: in the event that you require additional days during the trek/summit (due to exhaustion/weariness), you are required to pay $200 (per day) to the local operators.

Arrival: Nairobi (Kenya) or Arusha (Tanzania)
Departure: Nairobi (Kenya) or Arusha (Tanzania)
Trip Duration: 7 Days
Trip Leader: Driver, Guide, Porter
Meals: Breakfast (5), Lunch (6), Dinner (5)

Accommodations: shared Huts room (5 nights)

Transportation : 4-Wheel-Drive Vehicle or Van