Your adventure begins with an early-morning pickup from your hotel in Arusha or Moshi, or at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). First, enjoy a scenic drive to Marangu Gate, the main entrance to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. There you complete registration before you start hiking.
The trail then winds through dense tropical rainforest, home to towering trees, colorful birds and unique plants. You may also see blue monkeys and black-and-white colobus monkeys. Meanwhile, your experienced mountain guide shares fascinating facts about the mountain’s ecology, history and wildlife.
After approximately 3–4 hours of hiking, you reach Mandara Hut (2,720 m), the first overnight hut for climbers on the Marangu Route. Here you enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch and take in the stunning mountain scenery. Next, you may walk to the nearby Maundi Crater. On clear days, the views from there stretch across northern Tanzania and into Kenya.
Finally, descend back through the rainforest to Marangu Gate. Your driver waits there to transfer you back to your hotel or the airport.
