According to annual research and report journals, the average summit successful rate across all climbers using the Marangu route is 65%. The summit success rate depends heavily upon climate like rainfall and snow, and the person's fitness. The climate, however, in the Marangu route is not that much troublesome.
You can only expect acclimatization at Kibo and Horombo camp where there is low oxygen as altitude increases. This is a unique safari for the venturesome. The hike via Marangu route can be done in six days and the points on the trail are at Marangu Gate which is your starting point, Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut, and Kibo Hut.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival day
On the day of arrival, you will be picked up from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to the hotel in Moshi town where you will be staying for dinner and overnight. At the hotel, you will meet a mountain guide who will briefly explain to you the itinerary for the next day and all the essential information about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro including the route, hiking equipment, and other important information.
Day 2: Hiking from Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
After breakfast in your hotel, a car with driver and guide will be waiting for you outside. You will have an hour of private drive from Moshi town to Kilimanjaro Mountain at Marangu Gate. At the gate, the registration and payment process will be done while porters are organizing luggage, ready to start a tour. It takes a four-hour hike to the first hut.
Through an elevation of 6,100 feet to 8,875 feet and through the verdant scenery of a mountain forest, you will see that the forest stems with bird life, Colobus monkey, as well as other monkeys teeming the jungle.
Day 3: Hiking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
After breakfast at Mandara Hut, you will be ascending to Horombo Hut. The altitude begins to change and will slow down your pace while you enjoy the flora and the view of Mawenzi and Kibo Peak. This will take six hours with an elevation of 3,780 meters. Arrive at the Horombo Hut, 11 kilometers from Mandara, and your lunch box will be provided on the way. At Horombo Hut, you will have rest, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 4: Acclimatization day
You will spend three hours walking to zebra rock for acclimatization and after that, you will hike down to Horombo Hut for lunch, rest, dinner, and your overnight accommodation.
Day 5: From Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (Summit night)
After breakfast at Horombo Hut, the hike to Kibo Hut begins. You will ascend further, passing the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heath land but then disappears into moonscape.
Your lunch box will be provided on the way. At Kibo Hut, you will have rest, dinner, and an overnight lodging while preparing yourself for Uhuru Peak summit at night around 12:00 a.m. On the way to the summit, you will pass through Gillman’s point, Stella point, and finally end up at the Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa.
Day 6: Descend from summit to Kibo and Horombo Hut
The beginning of day five might still catch you at the Uhuru Peak of Mount Kilimanjaro. You can take a beautiful picture while the sun is rising and as you slowly start to hike down to Kibo Hut for breakfast. Rest and later on, you will start to descend again to Horombo Hut where you will have lunch, rest, dinner, and an overnight stay.
Day 7: Descend from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (Final day of the tour)
You will descend from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate exit. The driver will drop you off from the gate to the hotel in Moshi for lunch and then you can rest but if your flight is on the same day, then the driver will drop you off to the airport for your departure.
