7 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro (Marangu Route) – ETS 2.3

Day 1 – Arrival/Arusha
Upon your arrival at the Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met by a driver/guide and transferred to Zawadi House Lodge in nearby Arusha for the night

Day 2 – Kili trekking
The National Park Gate lies at the edge of Marangu, a lovely village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through virgin forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Huts (2,700m.) The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich birdlife at the huts, and monkeys are often seen as well (3-5 hours walking). Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.

Day 3 – Kili trekking
The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, which contains giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach the hut complex at Horombo (3,720m.). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very spectacular; the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo Crater, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds (5-7 hours walking). Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 5 – Kili trekking/summit
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 12 a.m so that we can be up at Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over loose volcanic scree, but there are some well-graded zig-zigs, and a slow but steady pace will have us up to Gillman’s Point (5,685m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast, and we return to Horombo for the night. (11-15 hours walking). Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 6 – Kili trekking/Arusha
We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara, and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park Gate, and receive your well-deserved certificate. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day, and it really makes you realize how varied Kilimanjaro is (5-6 hours walking). We return to Arusha in time for dinner and overnight at Zawadi House Lodge.

Day 7: Arusha/Departure
On this day, a dayroom will be provided for you at Zawadi House Lodge. In the morning go shopping for goods and souvenirs around Arusha, then back to the lodge for lunch, relaxing, and packing. Later, enjoy an early dinner and transfer to the airport for the flight home, or continue your African experience with a trip extension from one of the available options.