Climb the tallest mountain in Africa via the popular Marangu Route, making your way through the five distinct environmental zones on the famed Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Day-by-day itinerary
Kilimanjaro is divided in 5 zones by altitude:
Lower Slopes (1,830m. /6,000 ft.) - This is mostly cultivated with coffee and banana trees
Forest Zone (1,800-2,800m. /5,900-9,185 ft.) - This zone receives the highest rainfall; the upper half is often covered with clouds and is high in humidity. If often rains when you walk through this zone. This is a dense forest area with lots of vegetation. You can expect to seen colobus & blue monkeys, baboons and bushbuck.
Heath & Moorlands Zone (2,800-4,00m. /9,185-13,120 ft.) - Rain decreases with the altitude, you can expect to see grasslands with scatted bushes, beautiful flowers, including “everlasting” flowers. Once you enter the moorlands you will see giant senecios and lobelias.
Highland Desert/alpine Zone (4,000-5,000 m. /3,210-16,400 ft.) - Temperatures in this zone can range from very hot to freezing. The vegetation is thin and includes tussock grasses, everlasting flowers, moss balls and lichens. The air is thin therefore you will not see much wildlife. What lacks in wildlife is made up for in fabulous views.
Summit Zone (5,000-5,895m. /16,400-19,342 ft.) - Almost completely void of vegetation with arctic conditions.
Day 1 Mt. Meru: Mt. Meru Game Lodge
Arrive into Arusha and transfer to Mt. Meru. Nestled between the peaks of Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru Game Lodge & Sanctuary lies midway between Kilimanjaro International Airport and Arusha. The lodge is located within 33 acres of mature, well manicured gardens bounded on one side by the tranquil waters of the Usa River and on the other by the sanctuary where our wildlife and birdlife reside. This wildlife and birdlife provide many of our guests with their first exciting game viewing experience. The lodge comprises 17 double or twin en-suite bedrooms. All rooms have a veranda with comfortable chairs where guests may sit during the late afternoons enjoying the peace of the surroundings, soaking up the unique atmosphere of the Lodge and watching the animal and birdlife.
Day 2 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Mandara Hut (BLD)
After breakfast you will meet your guide and porters and begin your climb at the Marangu Gate (2,000m. / 6,562 ft.) You will spend approximately an hour at Park headquarters handling registration and arranging the loads for the porters. In 3-4 hours you will walk the 5.50 miles through a fascinating forest to the Mandara Hut (2,745m. /9,006 ft.) for an overnight stay. This path is often muddy. Mandara Hut has a number of small wooden A-frame huts sleeping eight persons each, four to a room, with a main cabin upstairs and a dinning room downstairs, for a total of 200 beds. Mattresses are provided.
Day 3 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Horombo Hut (BLD)
After breakfast as you climb, you will pass through the upper part of the rain forest to tussock grassland and the Afro-alpine vegetation of giant groundsel and lobelias to moorlands, until you reach Horombo Hut (4,167m. /13,672 ft.) for overnight. (The climb takes about 5 - 7 hours) Once you have emerged from the forest, you will have great views of the town of Moshi & Mawenzi Peak. Horombo is similar to Mandara Hut, also with 200 beds.
Day 4 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Kibo Hut (BLD)
After a good night's sleep you continue your climb, the vegetation begins to thin out to open grasslands. You will pass “Last Water” — be sure to fill your water bottles. The landscape becomes more barren as you reach “the saddle” (a wide desert between Kibo and Mawenzi peak) until you reach Kibo Hut (4,703m. /15,450 ft.) for overnight. (A 5 – 6 hour hike) Kibo Hut is located on the East Side of Kibo Peak and has 120 beds. Due to the wind-chill factor it can be very cold at Kibo Hut - so dress warmly. This is where you may begin to feel the effects of some altitude sickness. It may be difficult to sleep at this altitude. Get as much rest as you can.
Day 5 Mt. Kilimanjaro: Horombo Hut (BLD)
In the early morning, you begin the final ascent. (You will depart at approximately 1 a.m., be sure not to delay the ascent. This makes it easier to reach Uhuru peak before the frozen crust softens in the daylight) The steep ascent to Gilman’s Point (5,685m. /18,652 ft.) on the edge of the caldera is a 4-5 climb up scree. This is the steepest and most demanding portion of the climb. The effort is worthwhile because you will be on the highest point in Africa! If you still have the energy you can continue to Uhuru Peak, (5,895m. /19,342 ft.) higher. This is a fairly gradual climb and will take another 1.5 hours. Uhuru peak is well marked and there is a book where you can sign your name. Good Luck! After admiring the view (shortly after sunrise) you will begin the walk to Kibo hut for a short rest and then onto Horombo Hut (4,167m. /13,672 ft.) for overnight. From Gillman’s Point to Horombo, it is approximately 4 hrs and from Uhuru peak about 5 hrs.
Day 6 Marangu: Novotel Hotel (B)
You will descend Mt. Kilimanjaro through a forest trail past palms, sycamore figs, tree ferns and giant lobilia to park headquarters where you will receive a diploma. After receiving your diploma transfer to Novotel Hotel for overnight.
Day 7 Departure (B)
Enjoy breakfast and a climb well-done!
Rates for the Kilimanjaro Climb; Marangu Route - Semi Customized
Land, per person double occupancy
| 01 Jan '07 - 31 Dec '07 Based On 2 People | $1,985 |
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| 01 Jan '07 - 31 Dec '07 Based On 3 People | $1,885 |
| 01 Jan '07 - 31 Dec '07 Based On 4-6 People | $1,785 |
| Single Supplement | $205 |
| Additional Night | $225 |
Christmas Supplement, per person double occupancy
| 24, 25, 26 Dec; 31 Dec & 01 Jan '07 | $45 |
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Easter Supplement, per person double occupancy
| 06, 07, 08, & 09 Apr '07 | $45 |
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Price Includes:
- Hut accommodation & meals on the mountain
- Guides & porters for the climb
- RT Transfers from Arusha.
- Park and rescue fees
- Travel Protection Plan ($20,000 Emergency Assistance, $20,000 Accidental death & dismemberment; $500 Medical Expenses; $1,000 Baggage & travel documents; $400 Baggage delay; $500 Travel delay - $100 per day maximum; TRAVEL GUARD Assistance)
Price Excludes:
- Beverages
- Gratuities
- Trip Cancellation & Interruption Insurance
- Tanzania Visa
- Tanzania departure taxes (approximately $30 per person, to be paid locally in US$)