About Marangu Route

At 8:00 AM, we will depart from the hotel and make our way to Londorosi Gate on the western side of Mount Kilimanjaro. From there, we will begin our hike at the Lemosho trailhead.

Please note that during rainy or muddy conditions, vehicles may be unable to reach the actual trailhead, requiring additional hiking. After enjoying a picnic lunch, we will trek for approximately 4 hours through the forests of the Lemosho glades to reach Big Tree forest Camp.

In the forest, vibrant moss and exotic flowers create a visual spectacle, while bird calls provide a natural melody. You may encounter Black and White Colobus monkeys and spot signs of elephants roaming the area. We will overnight at Forest Camp.

As we exit the Montane Forest and enter the Hagenia zone, the landscape opens up, revealing our first glimpse of Kibo Peak. This hike is excellent for acclimatization, as we ascend and descend multiple ridges en route to our highest elevation of the day at 11,500’ before descending to camp. Overnight stay at Shira 1 Camp

We will cross the Heath zone of the Shira Plateau and start ascending the western slope of the Kibo Massif. Along the journey, we will pause for a picnic lunch at Scott Fischer Memorial Camp, named after the renowned Mount Everest guide.

Our gradual ascent through the moorland of the Shira Plateau will aid in acclimatization while offering stunning panoramic views. Today's destination is Shira 2 Camp. In the afternoon, you will take an acclimatization walk before returning to camp for dinner and an overnight stay.

We leave the heath zone and enter the alpine zone as we hike 4-6 hours past Lava Camp (up to about 14,300’) with its volcanic landscape,Our highest point of the day offers a perfect spot to enjoy lunch. In the afternoon, we make a steep descent to our campsite for the night, nestled at the base of the Great Barranco Valley (3,960 m). The camp is sheltered by towering cliffs while providing expansive views of the plains below.

Our day begins with a descent into the Great Barranco, a vast ravine. We then make a steep ascent up the Great Barranco Wall, which separates us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo. This climb over rock is not technical but can be long and demanding. As we pass beneath the Heim and Kersten glaciers, we continue toward the Karanga Valley. From there, a steep climb leads us to our campsite at Karanga Camp (3,963m). For those feeling strong, an optional mid-afternoon acclimatization trek will take us up to approximately 4,200m before we return to camp for the night.

After a restful night and a hearty breakfast, we begin our trek to Barafu Camp at 4,640m. The route takes us across barren scree slopes, with no vegetation in sight. This steep and challenging climb is made even more demanding by the increasing altitude. Upon reaching camp, we have a meal and spend the afternoon resting in preparation for the strenuous night and day ahead. Staying hydrated and keeping warm is essential. We have an early dinner before attempting to get some sleep, as we will be waking between 11:00 PM and midnight to begin our ascent to the summit.

You'll wake at 11:30 PM for hot tea and biscuits before beginning the steep ascent of Kibo in the darkness. After a short break at Hans Meyer Cave, the climb continues to Gilman’s Point (5,681m), taking approximately 5-6 hours. As dawn breaks, enjoy breathtaking views of Mawenzi Peak before trekking for another two hours to reach Uhuru Peak. After capturing a few quick photos at the summit, you'll descend to Stella Point (5,739m) and then back to Barafu Camp (4,680m). Following a brief rest, the journey continues down to Millennium Camp (3,950m) for your final night on the mountain. This challenging trek takes 14-16 hours, so maintaining a steady pace, staying hydrated, and conserving energy are essential.

A gentle descent leads us through the lush rainforest to Mweka Gate, where we complete park formalities and receive our well-earned certificates—proud souvenirs of our achievement! From there, our vehicles will meet us for the return journey to the hotel in Moshi. Upon arrival, you can enjoy a refreshing shower before celebrating with well-deserved cold drinks. Overnight stay at your arranged hotel.