Marangu Route

Lemosho Route

Trip Notes
This route has a moderate slope, making it less difficult to climb. It is the most popular way up Mountain Kilimanjaro, and is the only route with emergency evacuation service. Also, it is the only route with huts, having dormitory and simple dining rooms.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing upon our arrival in Arusha, the Impala Hotel for the evening.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro Climb - Arusha to Mandara Hut.
Breakfast, drive from your hotel to Marangu gate, we will spend about two hours for registration, payments of fees and final parking. Start climbing through dense semi-tropical to the first hut- Mandara hut (9,000ft). Dinner and an overnight stay at Mandara hut, B.L.D.

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Climb - Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut.
Breakfast; ascend through the alpine meadow, and grassland and moorland to Horombo hut (12,000ft). Both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks can be viewed easily on the way. Dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo hut, B.L.D.

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Climb - Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut.
Breakfast, further ascending to Kibo hut (15,000ft). The landscape becomes very stony and eroded. Spectacular mountain vegetation like giant cactus, groundswell and lobelia appear on the way. Dinner and an overnight stay at Kibo hut, B.L.D.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Climb - Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak.
Wake up at midnight, and after a snack, proceed to the summit through Gilman’s point (18,640ft). It is about 5-6hours and 1-2 hours from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and from Gilman’s point to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft) respectively. Thus reaching the peak in the early morning of the fifth day and start descending after picture taking on the top to Horombo hut for diner and an overnight after a short break at Kibo hut, B.L.D.

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Climb - Kibo Hut to Marangu Gate - Hotel in Arusha
Breakfast, Descend from Horombo hut to Marangu gate, transfer to your departure point within Arusha.

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Trip Notes
This is the second most popular route, 26 km long, and it is considered the most beautiful route up Kilimanjaro. With a gradual ascend through the forest you emerge to see wide views of the moorland on Shira plateau, Kibo and Western Breach. The different kinds of vegetation found along the route make it the most scenic route. We are approaching the summit with an acclimatization day by walking in the same heights (Barafu Camp to Karranga Valley Camp), and another day by stopping at Karranga Valley camp (we are one of few tour operators offering this). There are no mountain huts on this route; the accommodation is in mountain tents.

The route done in six days is physically challenging for most people. The last two days (the trek from Barranco to Barafu and then the overnight trek to the summit) require mental and physical toughness, due to the high altitude and short amount of time to rest before the overnight summit attempt.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha Kilimanjaro Airport.
We'll meet for an introductory briefing upon our arrival in Arusha, before transferring to the Impala Hotel for the evening.

Day 2: Kilimanjaro Climb - Arusha to Machame Camp.
At 7:30 a.m., we'll transfer to the Machame Park Gate (5,950 ft. / 1,815 mt.). After registering with the park authority, we'll begin our climb through the lush forest. Trekkers will likely hear the many exotic birds in the canopy above, and many even see black & white colobus monkeys and sykes monkeys as they hike along the knotted roots and mud on the forest floor.
Kilimanjaro tents
We'll continue on to some heath land before reaching our overnight camp at Machame Camp (9,850 feet, 6-7 hours of walking), just above the forest zone. The trek is quite long, thus not steep.

Day 3: Kilimanjaro Climb - Machame Camp to Shira Camp.
Today's segment of the ascent will continue across beautiful heath land and alpine moorland with magnificent views of Kilimanjaro Peak. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Scramble around large boulders as you enter the moorland zone, marked by lobelia and senecio plants, and volcanic rocks draped with lichen beards, which protect wild alpine flowers growing at their bases. We'll overnight at Shira Camp (12,600 feet, 5-6 hours of walking).

Day 4: Kilimanjaro Climb - Shira Camp to Barranco Camp
We'll draw nearer the peak as we get closer to the Lava Tower. The trek becomes a bit more strenuous as the trail steepens on the approach to the lava Tower, a 300 foot tall volcanic plug which marks an exposed pass at 15,000 feet.
In the afternoon, descend the steep track into the Great Barranco Valley. Barranco Camp is set on a cool (flat area) enclosed on three sides with steep valley walls and the Kibo massif itself. Hanging glaciers glint in the sunshine above, amidst the eerie landscape of plants such as the giant groundsels (Senecio Kilimanjaro), and the uniquely endemic Giant Lobelia. Then we slowly ascent to our overnight stop at Barranco Camp (12,950 feet, 5-6 hours of walking). This day and the following day will be your acclimatization day.

Day 5: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barranco Camp to Karanga Valley Camp
The day will begin with a descent into the Gorge, before we climb its eastern wall where we will enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's ice fields, an equatorial anomaly. We will continue trekking until we reach our camp in Karanga Valley (13,900 feet, 4-5 hours of walking).

Day 6: Kilimanjaro Climb - Karanga Valley Camp to Barafu Camp
We'll trek up through the Karanga Valley; the trail turns steadily uphill, following the lava ridge to the Barafu camp. The temperature will grow colder and the landscape more sparse as we near Barafu Camp. Barafu Camp is set on a Kilimanjaro climbing small, exposed flat area on a ridge, acting as a base camp from which you will make your summit attempt at midnight tonight. Barafu camp (15,200 feet, 6-7 hours of walking).

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Climb - Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp
Just after midnight we start of a challenging trek (12-17 hours of trekking). You begin trekking at 12:30 to 1am, passing between the Rebmann and Tarzel glaciers to the rim at Stella Point. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at the summit. As dawn nears, we'll summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. Uhuru will be the culmination of - and the reward for - 6-7 hours of strenuous hiking. We'll then descend back to Barafu Camp, resting for a while before continuing our descent to Mweka Camp (9,840 feet, 3-4 hours of walking on the descent).

Day 8: Kilimanjaro Climb - Mweka Camp to Park Gate, transfer to Arusha
We'll make our final descent to the park gate, a walk of about 3 or 4 hours. After bidding our farewells to our guide and porters, we'll drive to Arusha drop off point.

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Day 1: Arrive

Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.

Day 2: Lemosho Glades (2200m) to Mkubwa Camp (2750m): After breakfast, we head out on a 5 hour drive to the Londorossi Park Gate at 2200mAfter completing park formalities, we drive for a further 11km to the Lemosho Glades at 200m. From here, we trek about 3 hours to the camp site.

DAY 3: Mkubwa Camp (2750m) to Shira Camp 1(3500m): After breaking camp, we begin the hike up towards Shira Camp 1. located near a stream. We head through moorland shrub taking in view of Mt meru in the distance.

DAY 4: Shira (3840m)- Lava Tower (4630m)-Barranco camp (3950m): After breakfast, you will quickly leave the moorland scrub behind and enter into a moonscape of semi-alpine desert, while you hike constantly upwards toward Lava Tower. At around 4200m, you may start to feel the effects of altitude with shortness of breath and irritability, assuming it had not taken effect earlier on the climb. After Lava Tower , your route will head down by almost 680m to the Barranco camping. This is the day where you will follow the principle of climb high and sleep low.

DAY 5: Barranco Camp (3860m) to Barafu Camp (4550m): Early morning, you will head up the impressive Great Barranco Wall. This will bring you out below Heim Glacier. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over several ridges and valleys where you will see the magnificent giant Senecio Kilimanjari plant . You will then join up with your later descent route where you will head left up the ridge for another hour, before reaching Barafu Hut. The summit is a further 1345m up.

DAY 6: Barafu camp (4550m)- Uhuru Peak (5895m)-Mweka (3100m): You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you will head off 'pole pole' into the night. Heading in a North westerly direction you will ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point (5685) on the crater rim. The hike up is about 6 hours and is for many climbers, the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire route. From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Then, you will head back to Barafu, in about 2 hours where you will have a chance to rest before heading down towards Mweka hut (3100m). The camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon.

DAY 7: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m): After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a short 3-hour scenic hike back to the Park gate. It is recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. At Mweka gate you will have to sign your name and details in a register in order to receive you summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (1 hour) hike. In the Mweka village you will meet up with your team and bus, and head back to the hotel a long over due hot shower.

Day 8: Depart

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.

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Day 1: Arrive

Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.

DAY 2: Umbwe Gate (1800m) - Bivouac (first) camp (2940m): After breakfast you will be driven to the Umbwe Gate at 1800m, passing through villages with banana and coffee plantations. On arrival at the Parks Gate your guide and porters will meet you. You will have to sign the register before you enter the park. As you head into the forest, temperature scan rise to about 35 degrees C, but as you quickly rise in altitude, they will progressively drop, by about 1 degree for each 200m climbed. The paths can also be quite muddy. The route initially follows a forestry track winding up through the natural rain forest. It then narrows and becomes steeper as you climb the ridge between the Lonzo and Umbwe rivers, with huge trees surrounding you. The path offers some spectacular views of deep gorges and if you are lucky, glimpses of Kilimanjaro towering above you in the distance. The camp is perched between huge trees and thick undergrowth.

DAY 3: Bivouac (first) camp (2940m) - Barranco camp (3950m): Shortly after leaving the camp the forest starts thinning and is replaced by rockier terrain, sparser undergrowth and straggly, moss-covered trees. The path continues along a narrow, but spectacular ridge and as it ascends through the heath, the ridge narrows and sharpens quite quickly. As you gain higher altitude, you will note how quickly the various vegetation zones change. Sighting of Lammergeyer are quite common. The path flattens as you approach Barranco Valley . From the Umbwe ridge the route descends slightly to the Barranco camp.

The camp is situated in the valley below the Breach and Great Barranco Wall, which should provide you with a memorable sunset.

DAY 4: Acclimatisation Day: This day will be spent at Barranco camp to aid with acclimatisation. You can spend the day walking around to explore the surrounding areas such as up to the Barranco wall, take in sights of the magnificent Scenecio's, or just rest.

Day 5: Barranco camp (3950m) - Barafu Camp (4600m): After breakfast you will begin the scramble up the Great Baranco Wall and then begin the traverse over the scree towards the Karanga Valley at 4000m. It is here that you will get the incredible views of the Heim, Kersten and Decken glaciers. After leaving the Karanga Valley , you will continue along the trail to Barafu Hut. You will now find yourself completely in the alpine desert of crushed stone and scree. The campsite is very cold and gets buffeted by the wind.

Day 6: Barafu - Summit (5895m) to Mweka: You will wake around 23h00 and after a cup of tea and a biscuit, shuffle off into the night for the summit of Kilimanjaro. The route heads up between between the Rebmann and Ratzel Glaciers towards Stella Point and then on to Uhuru Peak where you will enjoy the magnificent views and a well deserve photo opportunity.

You will then descend back down to Barafu camp from the summit, which takes about 3 hours. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Mweka camp is situated in the upper forest and mist or rain can be expected in the late afternoon. Dinner, and washing water will be provided as well as drinking water.

DAY 7: Mweka camp (3100m)- Mweka Gate (1980m): After an early and well-deserved breakfast, it is a 2-3 hour, scenic hike back to the Park gate. At Mweka gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who were too tired to continue from the crater floor and diverted back down via Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From the Mweka Gate you will continue down into the Mweka village, normally a muddy 3 km (50min) hike. You will then drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower and celebrations!! Overnight in the hotel

Day 8: Depart

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.


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Day 1: Arrive

Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to hotel. Overnight hotel.

Day 2: Rongai Gate (1950m) - 1st Caves camp (2600m): Register at the Marangu park gate with a transfer (approximately 2 ½ hours) to the Rongai trailhead. Meet your guide and porters before you begin your hike from the Nale Moru village. The small winding path crosses maize fields before entering pine forest, and then climbs gently. The trail is not at all steep, but is rather a gentle hike through beautiful country. The forest begins to thin out before you reach the first cave later in the afternoon. The first night's camp is at First Cave , at about 2,600 metres. There is a toilet and a wooden table with benches, but no hut. Water can be found just down the trail below First Cave.

DAY 3: Cave (2600m) - Kikelewa Cave (3600m): The trail continues up towards Kibo with magnificent views of the Eastern ice fields on the crater rim. We will pass Second Cave (3450m) en-route, and head out across the Kikelwa moorlands under the jagged and imposing, Mawenzi peaks, reaching Kikelwa Cave at about 3600 metres. Overnight at 3rd Cave camp with magnificent Scenio's nearby Kikelewa Caves.

DAY 4: Kikelewa Cave (3600) - Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m): A short but steep climb up grassy slopes offering superb views of this wilderness area. Here, we will leave the moorland region behind and quickly enter into the lunar alpine desert stretched out between the imposing peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. We will camp at Mawenzi Tarn spectacularly situated in the shadows of Mawenzi. Spend the afternoon acclimatizing and exploring the area.

DAY 5: Mawenzi Tarn camp (4330m) - Kibo hut (4700m): Continue ascending on the east side of Kibo crossing the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo taking 4 to 5 hours to reach Kibo Hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting in preparation for the final ascent, which begins around midnight . Overnight at Kibo Camp.

DAY 6: Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m): You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you will head off into the night. This will be the hardest day on the trail as you head into the cold night air towards Uhuru peak. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m). You will then begin your 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut where you will have a short rest and gather all your gear for the descent and begin the trail down to Horombo hut (3 hours) where you will overnight. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and well-earned sleep, feeling exhilarated and proud of your achievement.

DAY 7: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m): After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Here, you can give a tip to the head guide for the entire team. He will distribute it accordingly. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations! Overnight in the hotel.

Day 8: Depart

After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight home.

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Day 1: Arusha to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m)
Depart from your hotel in the morning for Momella Gate of Arusha National Park (1,500 m.). After park entrance formalities, we begin our hike, guided by a park ranger. The track passes open grassland, providing an opportunity to see buffalo, warthogs and other grazers. The trail continues as a steady climb through montane forest. We take lunch near a giant Fig Tree arch. After lunch, the route continues through less dense forest, where there are an abundance of birds and black and white colobus monkeys. By mid-afternoon, we can see towering cliffs and the Ash Cone. We reach Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m.), situated in an idyllic grassy glade, in time to enjoy the last of the afternoon sun and beautiful views over the surrounding plains towards Kilimanjaro. (4-6 hours walking).

Day 2: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) to Saddle Hut (3,570 m)
The walk from Miriakamba Hut to the saddle below Little Meru is a short day but a steep climb. We slowly ascend through lush montane forest to reach the halfway point of Elephant Ridge. From here we enjoy excellent views of the summit ridge and across the crater floor. The path continues through giant heather and other fascinating moorland vegetation to reach Saddle Hut (3,570 m), where lunch is will be provided. The afternoon is free to relax and to enjoy the views. The more energetic can make the short climb to the nearby summit of Little Meru (3,820 m) for superb views just before sunset. (3-5 hours walking).

Day 3: Saddle Hut (3,570 m) to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m)
We start early at around 2 a.m. to climb steeply to Rhino Point (3,800 m.), continuing along an undulating ridge of ash and rock to reach Cobra Point (4,350 m) at sunrise. The views are stunning: the cliffs of the Crater rim, the Ash Cone rising from the Crater floor, Kilimanjaro floating on the morning clouds and west towards the Rift Valley if the weather is clear. The summit of Socialist Peak (4,566 m.) is an hour further on a good but steep path. The route back to Rhino Point in the morning light, on a narrow ridge between the sloping outer wall of the crater and the sheer cliffs of the inner wall, is one of the most dramatic and exhilarating walks in Africa. We enjoy a rest and brunch at Saddle Hut before continuing the descent to Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m, 10-12 hours walking).

Miriakamba Hut Note: The ridge between the summit and Rhino Point is not suitable for those suffering from vertigo. In icy conditions or in strong winds, it may be impossible for anyone to progress beyond Rhino Point

Day 4: Miriakamba Hut (2,514 m) - hotel in Arusha
We take the direct route down through open grassland and mixed forest, with good chances of seeing wildlife. This trail has excellent views back towards the crater and over the plains of the National Park. We should reach Momella Gate by late morning (2-3 hours walking). Once you reach the end of the climb you will be transferred to your hotel.

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