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The Marangu Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climb is the most popular and easiest route to the top. Done it myself as a youngtster!! Usually the ascent and descent takes five days, but and extra day for acclimatization is highly recommended.

Day 1 - Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (3 to 4 hours walk).
Day 2 - Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (5 to 6 hours walk).
Day 3 - Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (5 to 6 hours walk).
Day 4 - Kibo Hut to summit to Horombo Hut (10 to 12 hours walk).
Day 5 - Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (6 to 8 hours walk).

THE EFFECTS OF ALTITUDE
Occasionally trekkers can over-estimate their own ability and some may not realise the seriousness of trekking at altitude. Plenty of time is allowed to get between the huts on the mountain so you do not need to rush. You are, in fact, far better off going slowly and enjoying the changing scenery and
views. That way you acclimatise better and are in better shape for the final trek up to Gillman's Point and then on to Uhuru Peak. Acute mountain sickness (AMS) may strike at Kibo Hut (the third and highest hut) so your guide will advise you whether he feels you are fit enough to continue.
Unfortunately, there is no way of predicting how altitude sickness may affect the individual. Many people do not even realise that Uhuru Peak (5,896 m) is 500m higher than Everest Base Camp! If you are in any doubt as to your fitness please consult your doctor.

The Marangu Route is the most popular of the routes up Kilimanjaro. It is probably the easiest way reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kibo at 5,896 m. The route begins at the Kilimanjaro National Park's Marangu Gate (1860 m), at the edge of the mountain forest.

From the gate, the path leads through a semi-tropical rain forest of camphor, cedar, juniper, olive and pillar trees festooned with begonia vines, lichens and moss. Flowers such as orchids and balsams delight the eye. Several species of fauna inhabit the forest. These include blue monkeys, bush pigs, duikers, suni and squirrels. Birds and insects are also abundant.

The first night on the mountain is spent at Mandara Hut near Maundi Crater. The Hut lies at 2725 m. above sea level, about 9km from the Gate. the walk there takes about 3 to 4 hours.

The second day is spent walking the 5 hours necessary to reach Horombo Hut where the second night is spent. About half an hour after leaving Mandara the dense forest gives way to rolling moorland characterized by knee-high tussocks of grass dotted with grooves of giant heather trees, some reaching as high as 9 meters.

The high altitude now begins to make itself felt, reminding climbers to ascend slowly (pole pole). This is a pleasant section of the trail. The ascent is quite gentle. The landscape is colored by flowers, heathers and herbs which release a sweet aroma into the atmosphere, The sun is refreshing warm. Fine views are to be had of both the rugged Mawenzi peak and the snows of Kibo peak.

As Horombo Hut comes into view, about 9.5 km. from Mandara, the landscape becomes more rugged and rocky. The winds at Horombo(3780 m.) can be bitter and a warm sleeping bag is essential.

Day three is spent climbing to Kibo Hut, 4700m. above sea level. The path leads past cactus-like giant groundsel and lobelias. The high altitude may begin to manifest itself in symptoms such as shortness of breath, tiredness, headaches and occasionally nausea. The last fresh water stop is passed before the path skirts the base of Mawenzi peak and emerges onto the lunar landscape of the Saddle. The long Saddle forms a U-shape between the two peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.

The distance from Horombo to Kibo Huts is 12.5 k.m, a 5 to 6 hour walk. It is perched at the bottom of the steep scree of the Kibo massif. The days at Kibo may be summery, but the nights are pure winter, with icy winds, frost and the first pockets of snow scatter about.

The attempt to reach the summit begins short after midnight. The first 5 hours are spent climbing the scree slope above Kibo Hut. This is the most demanding section of the whole ascent. It ends at Gilman's Point (5,685 m.) on the crater's rim. After a rest here, those wishing to do so may continue on to Uhuru Peak, the 'roof of Africa'. The walk around the crater rim is not as taxing as the climb to Kibo. It takes about 45 minutes to reach Uhuru Peak from Gilman's point and the 211 m. change in altitude is a gradual one. Strong climbers may even feel fit enough to descend to the crater floor where the sulphurous gasses and warm sands remove all doubt that one is standing on a volcano.

The descent off the mountain is much easier and is usually accomplished in two days. Climbers return from the summit to spend a night at Horombo Hut before walking back down to the Gate on the following day.

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