Mount Kilimanjaro

Marangu Route

Itinerary

The most popular of the routes up Kilimanjaro and probably the easiest way of reaching Uhuru Peak.

Day 1: From the Marangu gate you walk 3 – 4 hours through the fascinating rainforest to the Mandara hut at 9000ft close by the Maundi crater for overnight.

Day 2: The climb to Horombo hut start off as a steep walk through the last of the rain forest and out into tussock grasslands. The walk to Horombo Hut 3,720m (12,200ft) is about 14 km with attitude gain of about 1,000m and will take anything between 5 – 7 hours.

Day 3: From Horombo Hut you will climb to Kibo hut 4,703m, (15,430 ft) which is 13 km and take about 6 – 7 hours up then valley behind the huts, last water point and onto Saddle.

Day 4: The attempt to reach the summit begins shortly after midnight. For some 5 hours one climbs the steepest and most demanding part of the route to Gilman’s point at 18,640 ft on the crater rim. The remaining 45 minutes to the highest point – UHURU PEAK are easier. Then descent is far less tiring, and the night is spent at Horombo Hut.

Day 5: The descend continue past Mandara Hut to the Park Headquarters where successful climbers may now collect their certificate of achievement.

Umbwe Route

Itinerary

This route is short and steep but is a wonderfully scenic route to take.

Day 1: Depart to Umbwe Mission – the start of the trail. From the Mission the track continues for about 3 kms up towards the forest and climbs quite steep through the forest along the ridge that is between the Lonzo river to the west and Umbwe river to the East. You reach the first shelter, which is a Cave (2,940m) about 6 to 8 Hours from Umbwe. Dinner and overnight at Bivouac I.

Day 2: From Bivouac I, continue up past moorland and along the ridge. You will reach the second set of Bivouac II at 3,800m after spending 3 to 4 hours. You Camp your night here.

Day 3: From here, the path continues less steeply up the ridge beyond the tree line before reaching Barranco Hut 3,900m in about 5 hours. Overnight stay at Barranco Hut.

Day 4: After breakfast, you proceed to Barafu Hut at 4,600m (15,500ft), and the path climbs steeply out of Barranco valley across Karanga Valley then turn to reach Barafu Hut for overnight stay.

Day 5: On the final day you start early in order to reach the crater rim at Stella Point in time before sunrise, then to UHURU PEAK at 5,896m (19340ft), the highest point in Africa. Thereafter descend past Barafu to Mweka Hut for overnight stay.

Day 6: After breakfast, descend to Mweka gate for certificate award and drive back to booked hotel or next destination.

Mweka Route

Itinerary

This is the most direct route up the Mountain. It is steepest and the fastest. It begins at Mweka village, 13 km north of Moshi. However, this route is being used for descending only for those who would use Machame, Umbwe and Shira routes for ascending. Shira plateau route is one of the most fascinating and scenic areas of Kilimanjaro. In this route, one can drive to a relatively high attitude and must be very careful to acclimatize especially if one plans to climb higher.

Day 1: Drive to the Londorossi gate. Dinner andovernight at Simba Cave campsite.

Day 2: From here the track continues for another 3 km across the Saddle between Shira dome and Kibo’s western slopes at 3740m, at the end of the track you walk another 1.5 km to Shira Hut at 3,800m for overnight stay.

Day 3: The path continues and go on to Barranco Hut at 3,900m and that takes a bout 5-6 hours. You will have to spend your night at Barranco Hut.

Day 4: After breakfast, you proceed to Barafu Hut at 4,600m, the path climbs steeply out of Barranco valley crosses the Karanga valley then turn to reach Barafu Hut for overnight.

Day 5: You get up at about 0100 hours in order to reach the Summit at sunrise. You first reach the Crater rim at Stella point then, on to uhuru peak at 5,896m ASL, the highest point in Africa. Thereafter, descend to Mweka Hut past Barafu for overnight stay.

Day 6: Descend to Mweka gate for certificate award and drive back to your booked hotel or next destination.

Rongai Route

Itinerary

This is probably the best route up Kilimanjaro because of climbing from the northern side of the Mountain viewing Amboseli National Park from the far angle. This route is less crowded.

Day 1: Depart from Moshi to Rongai forest station and then proceed to Kilimanjaro National Park gate, registration formalities are done at the Marangu gate. After there you start climbing through rainy forest and Moorland to the first Cave for overnight stay.

Day 2: After breakfast, you proceed to Cave II for overnight stay.

Day 3: After breakfast you start trekking to Outward Bound School Hut through the path, which leads towards a point on the Saddle. You will pass “Bread Rock” after about 1.5 hours. The track then divides, to the right is the Outward Bound School Hut. Dinner and overnight there.

Day 4: To reach the Summit you start early at about 0100 hours. After about 5 hours you reach Gilman’s point 5,680m, from here you have another couple of hours to get to Kibo Peak (Uhuru peak 5,896m) the top roof of Africa. After a short rest and few Photographs, you descend to Horombo Hut for overnight stay.

Day 5: After breakfast you descend to Marangu Gate for certificate award

Machame Route

Itinerary

Day 1: The route starts at Machame gate (2000m). Walking through thick forest until it eventually breaks into giant heath near Machame Hut Campsite at 10,000ft. it takes 4 to 5 hours walk to reach the hut station.

Day 2: Ascend through heath and moorland to Shira Hut at 12,598ft. Overnight with fine view of Kibo’s Western Breach and wide Shira Plateau.

Day 3: From Shira Hut, you can go on to the Barranco Hut 3,900m (12,795ft) this takes about 5 to 6 hours. You will have to spend your night at Barranco Hut.

Day 4: After breakfast, you proceed to Barafu Hut 4,600m (15,500ft), the path climbs steeply out of Barranco valley, it crosses the Karanga Valley then turn to reach Barafu Hut for overnight.

Day 5: You begin the summit climb in the frigid post-midnight hours, passing through Stella Point about midway between Gilman’s point and Uhuru. You proceed to UHURU PEAK at 19,340 ft. The highest point in Africa. From there your descend straight to Mweka Hut station for overnight.

Day 6: The descent continues to mweka Gate.