Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet a Signature Safari representative, and transfer to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
A morning pre-climb briefing and introductions with our team precede the drive to Kilimanjaro Park’s Eastern Gate: Marangu, which lies at 1,860 m. Here, your head guide arranges all necessary permits and registration for rescue and search services before you start the walk to Mandara Hut’s 2,700 m. The trail takes you through rain forest with its high probability of rain showers, so bring a raincoat.
This being your first day at high altitude we strongly recommend the following:
Acclimatisation-associated discomfort is common at night, when your body gets less oxygen than during the day. This is normally expressed in the form of nausea and headaches.
1,860 m to 2,700 m
5-7 hours
11 km
Medium
Rainforest
Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second high altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcanos at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.
Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
2,700 m to 3,720 m
5-6 hours
10 km
mediium
moorland
After breakfast you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Kibo Hut and back. After lunch you have the opportunity to walk around the surrounding area, take pictures of Mawenzi Volcano or just sleep before the upcomng trekking to Kibo Hut.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (4,500 m)
Hiking distance: 5–8 km
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
Hiking time: 3–4 hours
On this day, right after breakfast the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trekking is not very difficult, just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the climbing to Kilimanjaro’s summit. When you reach the camp you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.
3,720 m to 4,700 m
4-8 hours
10 km
Medium
Alpine desert
Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). This stretch of Marangu Route is of a moderate physical difficulty, but high altitude puts any climbers body to the test. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).
Please note: 90% of mountain accidents – including broken limbs – happen on the way down. However, they are easily avoided by taking care of how and where you step.
4,700 m to 5,895 m 5,895 m to 3,720 m
9-12 hours
16 km
High
Arctic
You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park’s exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.
3,720 m to 1,860 m
5-6 hours
18 km
Medium
Rainforest
Enjoy the tranquility of your hotel before the airport transfer.
Note: while most hotels have an 11:00 AM check-out policy, they also offer late check-out for those with evening or night flights. The fees are moderate.
Rest assured – climbing Mount Kilimanjaro with our professional guides will be successful.
Marangu is the only route on Kilimanjaro with overnight stays in huts. Excellent for rainy season climbs.
Each expedition is supplied with unlimited bottled oxygen for making acclimatization less stressful.