2-Day Hiking to Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route
On this trip, you will hike on the Marangu Route with one overnight at Mandara Hut. You will climb up through the attractive tropical rain forest, different species of birds, impatiens kilimanjarii, colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and many interesting things. After a short tour at Mandara, you will have to go to the special hut for an evening meal and overnight. After breakfast, we will begin hiking to Maundi Crater for good views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
DAY 1: HIKING FROM MARANGU GATE TO MANDARA HUT
Following breakfast at your hotel or lodge, you will meet your guide, travel (about three hours) to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, register, and start the climb. To get to the Mandara huts, you must go through a rainforest. It is a good idea to take a side excursion to Maundi Crater to visit the area, which includes northern Tanzania and Kenya. Look for Colobus monkeys, tall trees, and birdlife in the rainforest.
◦ Elevation: 1,970m to 2,720m
◦ Hiking distance: 7 km
◦ Hiking time: 3-4 hours
◦ Habitat: Montane Forest
◦ Meals: Lunch, Diner
Budget Lodging: Mandara Hut.
DAY 2: HIKING FROM MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT AND BACK DOWN TO MARANGU GATE
Following a climbing trail over the open moorlands in the direction of the Horombo huts, you exit the rainforest glades. Amazing views can be seen from the top of Kibo and Mawenzi. Look for enormous grounsels and lobelia. After Mandara, you will climb back to the park gate and take a three-hour drive back to Arusha.
◦ Elevation: 2,720m to somewhere lower than 3,720m
◦ Hiking distance: about 5 km and 12km down via Mandara Huts to Marangu
Gate
◦ Hiking time: 3-4 hours up and 5-6 hours down via Mandara Huts to
Marangu Gate
◦ Habitat: Heathland/Moorland/Montane Forest
◦ Meals: breakfast, lunch.