The Itinerary

FOR THE MT. KILIMANJARO CLIMB

This Itinerary can be expanded to include a stop over in Addis Ababa or five day Luxury Safari either after or before the MT Kilimanjaro Marathon for an additional cost. A $500 deposit is required.

Please Register as soon as you are sure that you are going so we can reserve your place. Contact Us with any questions that you might have. I am always very happy to hear from the runners interested in this exciting journey. Hope to hear from you soon.

Day 1

On arrival allow 1-2 hours at the Park Headquarters at Marangu Gate for registration and payment of fees. It is recommended that you start this walk to Mandara, avoiding the rain showers that sometimes fall in the afternoon. From the gate, you ascend a cleared ridge trail, formerly a vehicle track to Mandara Hut at 6,000 feet. The cleared trail is the fastest way to Mandara, but opportunities to see wildlife or enjoy the forest are limited due to the heavy foot traffic. An alternative is to ascend along the parallel forest trail and descend on the main trail. The forest trail branches off to the left, a few minutes after the gate, and follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth. About halfway (1 1/2 hrs from the gate) you can choose to cross the stream and rejoin the main trail, or continue on the forest trail. Both trails continue on opposite sides of the stream, merging about one hour before Mandara Hut.

Day 2

From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest and skirts the base of Maundi Crater, crosses a meadow and a woodland stream, then emerges into grassland. It is well worth the short detour to scramble up to the rim of Maundi Crater for a superb view of the mountain and its surroundings. The trail crosses numerous moorland ravines before ending at Horombo Hut, which is set in a rocky valley with a fine stand of giant senecios or groundseis and is at 12,000 feet. Some people stay an extra day to get used to the altitude.

Day 3

From Horomoo Hut there are two trails to the SaddIe. The right fork is very stony and eroded and is the most direct route to the saddle and Mawenzi. From the saddle (about 2 hours from Horombo), there are trails to Mawenzi Hut (1/2 hr) or Mawenzl Tam Hut (2 1/2 hrs) and across the length of the Saddle to Kibo Hut (3 hrs). The left fork from Horombo Hut is an easier trail and emerges on the saddle much closer to Kibo and about one kilometer from Kibo Hut, the base camp of Mt. Kilimangaro at 15,340 feet. If you make it to the Kibo Hut, we will give you a certificate stating that you have made it to the base camp of Mt. Kilimanjaro.

Day 4

The trail to the summit lies directly behind Kibo Hut to the west. It is normal to start this days climb at 2 am or earlier. (You can see the sunrise over Mawenzi from the top of Kibo, the loose stone scree is frozen – making It easier to climb, and you can get back in good time). The first part is an uneven trail which leads to the Hans Meyer cave, a good rest point. After that, the trail makes more regular switchbacks most of the way to the top, with a last scramble over rocks to Johannss Notch and Giliman’s Point. If you make it to Giliman’s Point the National Government of Tanzania will give you a certificate stating that you made it to the point. From there, the trail continues along the rim past Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. This is the highest point of Africa at 19,340 feet and you will receive a beautiful certificate from the Government of Tanzania that you have successfully climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. As you descend from the rim back to Kibo Hut, it is tempting to run fast, but this can result in clouds of irritating dust and even unpleasant falls. The return to Horombo Hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent.

Day 5

Descend from Horombo Hut. You can easily make Mandaral Hut by lunchtime, and continue to the Park gate and Marangu in the afternoon. The van and driver will be waiting to pick you up and take you back to the hotel for a hot shower and a lovely dinner.

I am always happy to hear from the runners interested in this exciting journey.
Hope to hear from you soon.

– Marie Frances

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