Marangu

Transfer by a ROA Expeditions vehicle from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your chosen hotel. All of the hotels we use offer comfort with rooms with hot showers, swimming pools, pleasant staff, and Wi-Fi access. Your tour Manager will brief you on your forthcoming climb in the evening, answer your questions and make sure you are properly equipped for the climb, providing rental gear when necessary.

A morning pre-climb briefing and introductions with our team precede the drive to Kilimanjaro Park’s Eastern Gate: Marangu, which lies at 1,860 m. Here, your head guide arranges all necessary permits and registration for rescue and search services before you start the walk to Mandara Hut’s 2,700 m. The trail takes you through the rain forest with its high probability of rain showers, so bring a raincoat.
This being your first day at high altitude we strongly recommend the following:

• Do not consume any caffeine or alcohol
• Drink often, a little at a time for a total daily intake of 4 liters minimum.
• Take Diamox for relief from altitude sickness symptoms. It is usually taken in the morning before the day’s climb. Consult your physician before undertaking the trip to check for possible contraindications.
• Heed your body’s warnings and promptly inform your guide of any adverse symptoms.

Acclimatization-associated discomfort is common at night when your body gets less oxygen than during the day. This is normally expressed in the form of nausea and headaches.

Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second high-altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcanos at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.

Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you.

Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

After breakfast, you will go on an acclimatization hike toward Kibo Hut and back. After lunch, you have the opportunity to walk around the surrounding area, take pictures of Mawenzi Volcano or just sleep before the upcoming trek to Kibo Hut.

On this day, right after breakfast, the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trek is not very difficult, just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for climbing to Kilimanjaro’s summit. When you reach the camp you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.

You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park’s exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you with a transfer back to the hotel.

Enjoy the tranquility of your hotel before the airport transfer.

Transfers:

• Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
• Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.

Entry fees:

• Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fees, rescue fees,s and all others). 

Accommodation:

• Accommodation at 3* hotel, one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay – friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a swimming pool;
• Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents);

Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a same-sex participant. A single room is available upon request.

Meals:

• Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
• All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
• All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and water).

Hiking and safety equipment:

• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
• All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery, and cutlery);
• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
• Complete medical kits including Diamox.

Climbing crew:

• Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holders of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 10+ years of successful experience;
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).

Taxes:

• 18% VAT, 1% TDL, and 0.3% Service Levy. ROA Expeditions is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.

• International flights;
• Visa fee;
• Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
• Personal gear rentals;
• Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
• Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3-4 people);
• Mountaineering insurance. You’ll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000 m.