Your adventure begins with an early morning pickup. From Arusha, the drive to Marangu Gate takes about 4 hours, while from Moshi it takes about 1 hour. Marangu Gate is also the main entry point for this popular route.
On arrival, you first complete registration and collect the permits you need for the trek. Then you meet your professional mountain guide and start hiking through the lush rainforest, one of the most beautiful ecosystems on Mount Kilimanjaro.
As you walk through dense forest with tall trees, ferns and unique plants, look out for wildlife. For example, you may see black-and-white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and a variety of birds. This section of the Marangu Route is rich in biodiversity, so nature lovers enjoy its peaceful atmosphere.
After a steady hike, you finally reach Mandara Hut. There you enjoy dinner and spend the night in comfortable mountain huts.