Compare Kilimanjaro Hike - Marangu Route by African Budget Safaris vs 7 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro Climbing Summit – Machame Route by Lappet Faced Safaris
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 7 days |
| Price From | $ 1,830 | $ 1,876 |
| Price Per Day | $ 229 | $ 268 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Group tour |
| Lodging Level | Basic | Camping |
| Physical Level |
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| Countries Visited | ||
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
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| Meals Included |
7 Breakfasts , 6 Lunches and 7 Dinners |
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| Description |
This Kilimanjaro Hike follows the Marangu Route, the easiest and shortest route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Marangu Route is sometimes called the "Coca Cola" and is the oldest and most popular route up Mount Kilimanjaro. |
Machame, known as the “Whiskey” route, is a popular route to the mountain. Compared with Marangu, the days on Machame are longer and the walks are steeper. It is considered a difficult route, better suited for more adventurous folks, and those with some hiking or backpacking experience. Machame approaches from the southwest and descends using Mweka, rewarding climbers with views of the expansive Shira Plateau. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the south, beginning with a short drive from Moshi to Machame Gate. The path leads hikers through the rain forest to Shira Plateau. Here, many of Kilimanjaro’s routes converge. Then the route turns east and traverses underneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field on a path known as the Southern Circuit before summiting from Barafu. Descent is made via the Mweka route. |
Day 1: Arrival in Moshi, Hotel transfer
Meals: Dinner
This Kilimanjaro Hike begins with collection from Kilimanjaro Airport situated close to Arusha, Kilimanjaro and Moshi. From the Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be taken to Moshi, a mountain town in northern Tanzania.
On day one you will be briefed on the Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Trek and have time to check your trekking equipment in preparation for your hike. The remainder of the day is free for you to relax at the hotel or explore the lively town of Moshi.
We spend the night at the Keys Hotel in Moshi located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. The friendly hotel features a lovely garden, swimming pool, bar and restaurant. Accommodation is in ensuite rooms with air conditioning or in traditional thatched chalets.
Day 2: Moshi – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara Hut (2700m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day two starts with breakfast at Keys Hotel and then you will be transferred to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m).
Upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro National Park we complete the necessary paperwork before starting our hike up Mt. Kilimanjaro. The trek soon takes us into the dense rainforest where we are surrounded by ancient trees draped with moss, giant ferns, lichen and other indigenous vegetation. Walking through the rainforest we keep a look out for black and white colobus monkeys, as well as other wild animals.
After a 4-hour walk we reach our first overnight stop, the Mandara Hut (2650m). Here we rest before visiting Maundi Crater with our mountain guide. From the crater we enjoy wonderful views of the Kenyan interior, before returning to Mandara Hut for dinner and our overnight stay.
Day 3: Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today begins with an early breakfast before continuing our Marangu Hike up Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. We soon reach the tree line passing into the heath and moor vegetation zone.
We hike for about 4 – 6 hours to reach the Horombo Hut, at an altitude of 3700m. We will have dinner and stay overnight at Horombo Hut, admiring the spectacular views over Mawenzi, Kibo and the vast plains of Masai steppe.
Day 4: Horombo Hut (3700m) – Zebra Rocks (4020m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
We take the day to acclimatise, greatly improving our chances of successfully reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro on this hike.
After a relaxing breakfast we trek for about 4 - 5 hours to reach the Zebra Rocks (4020m), a rock formation named after the distinctive black and white stripes on the rocks. Returning to Horombo Hut we enjoy a warm lunch prepared by our mountain team. The afternoon is free for you to relax and rest up before setting off on the next leg of our Marangu Hike the following day. We have dinner in the evening and spend another night at Horombo Hut.
Day 5: Horombo Hut (3700m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
A long and challenging trek awaits us today, lasting about 5 - 6 hours.
Our destination is Kibo Hut with the hiking trail passing the “Last Waterpoint” followed by the so-called “saddle” en route. Today the Kilimanjaro Hike takes us through a barren plateau joining the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi..
Tonight we enjoy an early dinner and get an early night, in preparation for a very early start the next day.
Day 6: Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Today is the most exciting day on our Marangu Hike as we will reach the summit of Kilimanjaro!
We start the final stretch of the trek at night while the lava ash is still frozen, making it is easier to walk on. The mountain guide wakes you at 23:00 hrs and by midnight we set off on the long and tough trek to the summit. Making our way slowly but surely up Kilimanjaro we pass the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. We reach the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, Gillman’s Point at 5681m, as the rises casting its warming rays over the surrounding landscape.
Leaving the cold night behind us we hike for a further 1 - 2 hours to reach the highest point of Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak. Standing at 5895m on Uhuru Peak you will be rewarded with magnificent sweeping views of the lower slopes of Africa's tallest mountain and the landscapes below. Here you experience the inspiring sense of achievement at having climbed to the “Roof of Africa”!
We retrace our steps following the same trail back down Kilimanjaro. The now-thawed lava ash makes for a speedy descent to Kibo Hut, where a warm meal and welcome from the mountain team awaits you. After a 1 - 2 hour break to regain strength we continue our Marangu hike to Horombo Hut (3700m), arriving in the afternoon. The evening meal is followed by a well-deserved early night!
Day 7: Horombo Hut (3700m) – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Moshi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
The final stretch of this Kilimanjaro Hike passes through heath and moor terrain as we return to the Mandara Hut at 2700m. After a warm lunch at Mandara Hut we head back into the tropical rainforest reaching the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m) after 6 hours trekking today.
At the gate we say goodbye to our mountain guides and transfer back to the nearby Keys Hotel where we spent the first night of this hike up Kilimanjaro. Back at the hotel you can warm up with a shower or take a refreshing dip in the pool relaxing after your days on the mountain. The last evening is spent relaxing at the Keys Hotel in Moshi celebrating your great feat of successfully reaching the summit of the Mount Kilimanjaro!
Our evening meal and last overnight stay will be in Moshi.
Day 8: Moshi – Transfer
Meals: Breakfast
On day eight you have a hearty breakfast at the hotel, before continuing with your travels or taking a transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport. This brings your memorable Kilimanjaro Hike via Marangu Route to a close.
Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel
Meet and greet our transfer driver guide whereby who will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and driven to your Hotel in Arusha/Moshi. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb on the same day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.
Meals: Half Board
Day 2: Arusha- Machame Hut Camp (2850m)
After breakfast, we will pick you up from your hotel and drive for 1 hour to Machame gate (10,000 ft) for registration. Here you will meet the rest of the crew (Cooks and Porters) and we shall all prepare for the climb. We will start the climb through the rain forest and the giant heathers for 6 hrs. until we reach our first overnight camp.
Meals: Full Board
Day 3: Machame Camp- Shira Cave (3750m)
On this, it will be a short day but rather a steep rocky, and dusty trail. It’s a slow hike with plenty of breaks and enough time to acclimatize. Most of the route is rather bare of vegetation providing little shade from heat. You will cross many ridges and see the first of many Senecios.
Meals: Full board
Day 4: Shira Camp-Barranco Camp (3900m)
After Breakfast We will start climbing over boulders and very few rocks, then make our way to a steady uphill climb to Lava Tower and there we stop for lunch around noon. For those interested, we may climb up the Lava tower, which is 14850ft (you may start to get a mild headache due to the altitude change). From Lava Tower, we will go down for about 2 hrs through dusty and rocky trails to the Barranco Camp at 13000ft.
Meals: Full Board
Day 5: Baranko- Karanga (3995m)-Barafu Camp{4667m}
After Breakfast, we will start scrambling up the Barranco wall for an hour and a half. As this is steep, you will be using your hands to reach and steady yourself like rock climbing, although not as challenging. At the top of the wall, you can see the Barranco Valley and the campsite you spent at the night before. You will walk up and down the greener valley, which is the last water point of the mountain.
Meals: Full Board
DAY 6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, BARAFU CAMP (4667M) – UHURU PEAK (5895M) – MWEKA (3100M)
On this day it will be a summit day We will start the climb at around midnight. We will start with very steep rocks for 1 hour, and enter a snow-covered area where you can see glaciers above. If it’s a moonlit night, you may turn off your headlamp and continue a moonlit guided walk; indeed, a wonderful experience. The next 2 hours are headed towards Stella Point and we will take a break every 15 minutes as the climb gets more mentally and physically challenging.
Afterward, we will make our way to Stella Point where the Lava fields are like loose sand. It’s a rather enjoyable and frustrating experience because you will take a step up and slide back gainin’
g0 distance and if you’re not careful, you will slide back 2 steps and gain negative 2 steps.
After breakfast, we will climb to Uhuru Peak for 1 hr just as the sun appears over the Mawenzi peaks. We will be at Uhuru Peak (19370ft) around 6-7 am. We will start our descent, which is steep and rigorous via Stella Point to Barafu Hut Camp.
Meals: Full Board
DAY 7: MWEKA CAMP (3100M) – MWEKA GATE (1980M)
Today’s hike will take us about 4 to 5 hours to make the 4,500 feet descent to the park gate. We will check out and receive the Kilimanjaro climbing certificate at the park gate office, then eat our lunch and say goodbye to our mountain staff. After lunch, we will drive through very beautiful coffee plantations and small villages of the Chaga people back to Arusha. There you will be dropped off and is the perfect time for you to take a nice swim, a hot shower, and a well-deserved celebration!
Meals: Half Board
