Ascent of Kilimanjaro, via Marangu Route

The Galago team welcomes you at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. After your arrival, you are transferred to your hotel in Marangu.
Rest of the day free.
Depending on your arrival time, you can take this opportunity to settle in peacefully and rest after your journey. You can also discover the surroundings of Marangu, a small locality situated on the slopes of Kilimanjaro, or simply enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of your accommodation before the start of your adventure in Tanzanie.

You head towards the Marangu Gate, located at 1,970 meters above sea level. The journey takes about ten minutes. Upon arrival, a team of guides and porters will be waiting for you with all the equipment and supplies necessary for a successful Ascension of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will then proceed with registration formalities before departure.

The first stage consists of crossing a dense forest, where giant ferns and lichens carpet the forest floor. The tree roots have been cut to form steps that facilitate progression along the trail. Along the way, it is not uncommon to spot a few monkeys moving through the vegetation.
The walk leads you to the Mandara Hut camp, set in the heart of the forest.

You have breakfast while the team takes care of the loading. Gradually, you leave the forest to reach the senecio fields. The landscape, dotted with streams and small waterfalls, opens up little by little, with the Kibo summit in the background.

You arrive at Horombo refuge, located at high altitude, above the clouds. There, the atmosphere is lively with the regular passage of hikers.

This day is dedicated to acclimatization to altitude, in an environment where vegetation becomes increasingly rare. Lobelias and groundsels now dominate the landscape. This stage plays an important role in preparing you for the final ascent.

You will hike for 5 to 6 hours towards Mount Mawenzi, with an ascent that can reach 4,500 meters in altitude.

After this acclimatization walk, you descend towards the Horombo site, where you spend the night.

You continue your progression through a high-altitude desert, where vegetation has given way to a vast landscape of gravel and stones. You cross the Saddle site, a plateau that extends at the foot of the Kibo volcano. From this open space, you can already make out the trail leading to the summit.
You make a stop at Kibo Hut refuge for the night. After dinner, you head to your sleeping quarters early, as the night is short. The departure for the final ascent is scheduled for around 1 a.m.
During the 6 to 7 hours of walking to come, it is possible to experience the effects of altitude.

Today, you embark on the longest and most demanding part of the Kilimanjaro climb. You leave Kibo hut very early in the morning heading towards the Uhuru summit.
During the night, you gradually make your way uphill along a steep slope. The pace is steady and your breathing is tested as you climb.
After approximately 5 hours of hiking, you reach Guilman's Point, located at 5,685 meters altitude. A short break allows you to observe the crater, in a setting where sky and earth seem to meet.
There remains one final section to reach Uhuru peak. After approximately 1 hour 30 minutes of additional hiking, you arrive at the summit of Africa, at 5,895 meters altitude. This moment marks the culmination of the climb and offers the opportunity to take time to admire the panorama that stretches out before you.

After this stage, you begin your descent towards Kibo hut, where a revitalizing snack awaits you.

You then continue your walk to the Horombo site, where you spend the night.

Soreness may be felt after this mountain adventure. Once the equipment is loaded by the porters, you begin the gradual descent by first crossing the heather, then the forest. You pass by Mandara Hut refuge before continuing the walk towards Marangu Gate.

Before returning to civilization, a certificate is presented to you to commemorate your adventure on Kilimanjaro. The team then takes care of your transfer to the hotel for a day of rest, then accompanies you to the airport for your return flight. Alternatively, you can be transferred to the town of Moshi.