The fourth Kilimanjaro stage on the Marangu Route is the final climb to the highest point in Africa: Uhuru Peak on the summit of Kilimanjaro. Here you are absolutely pushing the physical limits of the average hiker. The average gradient of 22.3% also includes the very shallow gradient along the summit plateau. Thus, the first half leads extremely steep uphill. Every step becomes a feat of strength. Since we were climbing in the middle of a snowstorm, we walked one behind the other and climbed up the snow as if on a staircase, always with longer pauses until the people in front started moving again. I had my photo equipment with me, but the weather on the summit didn’t allow for panoramic photos with my equipment. And the way back would only have shown white on white. That’s why the virtual tour only has a few normal photos with more or less vague location on the map.

Level of difficulty: Extremely difficult – due to the extreme altitude and steep climb.

Break at Kibo Huts, overnight at Horombo Huts, back to Marangu start: The last stage starts in the middle of the night in order to reach the summit for sunrise. Therefore, you must carry a headlamp with full batteries. It will also be extremely cold. Multiple layers should be worn, including warm long underwear as well as snow pants and a hooded snow jacket. This also includes thick snow gloves and a thick winter hat that covers your ears. A rain poncho also helps against the cold and especially the wetness in snow, as do gaiters. Snow sticks are particularly helpful when descending – depending on the weather, you should be able to quickly equip them with snow plates.
The hiking boots should be light, but also very stable and waterproof. Since I walked the entire fourth stage in an icy snowstorm, my leather boots and thick hiking socks in addition to my sports socks did not provide enough warmth. The tips of my toes still felt slightly numb several months later.
Due to the extreme weather conditions, some of my drinking water froze. Even if it is a little heavier, a thermos flask with warm tea could help you avoid straining your body with ice-cold water. And finally, as soon as the sun comes up, you should cover yourself completely with very strong sunscreen, especially your chin, lower jaw and the lower half of your face due to the sun’s rays reflecting off the snow.

Overnight stay at Mandara Huts: Two-story beds with thin, plastic-covered mattresses await you here – but this time in a larger dormitory for around 24 people.

Extra note: The night at the Kibo Huts is very short. After only a few hours of sleep – if you can get any sleep at all at the altitude and because of the excitement – my group set off in the middle of the night to climb the summit. Back from the summit you can enjoy short nap here. But you will go back down to the Horombo Huts very quickly to reach a lower altitude and a higher oxygen level in the air.

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-2
> Start of the 3rd stage – follow the green arrows
> Also the start of the short hike to the Zebra Rocks {https://hikingtrailview.com/de/rennsteig-virtuelle-360-panoramatour/kilimanscharo-kilimanjaro-Marangu-Route-Zebra-Rocks} on the acclimatization day, exploring the Horombo Huts at the end of the 2nd stage {https://hikingtrailview.com/de/rennsteig-virtuelle-360-panoramatour/kilimanjaro-kilimanjaro-Marangu-Route-etappe-stage-2/} (links also in the pano)
> Slightly steeper uphill, slightly rocky

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-3
> Continue to the left, less steep, a bit rocky

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-25
> Partly slightly downhill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-27
> More uphill, uneven, very roughly paved with larger stones

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-28
> Soft, even ground, occasionally with larger stones, slightly uphill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-29
> Uneven with more stones, more uphill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-30
> Steep uphill, loose ground with pebbles and coarse gravel

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-31
> Even, soft clay path, only a few stones, less steep uphill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-32
> Less steep uphill, partly slightly downhill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-35
> Rest area with very narrow tables and benches without backrests, simple toilets

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-36
> Steep uphill, loose pebbles and coarse gravel

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-37
> Large sea of ​​rocks „Mawenzi Ridge“, the surrounding is now very bare with a wide view, level path, more uphill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-38
> Slightly downhill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-39
> Long steep uphill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-40
> Route marker „The Saddle“ (Google link also in the pano)
> Flat, slightly rocky, long steep climb

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-41
> Beautiful view of the snow-covered peak of Mawenzi summit – turn pano 90° to the right (Google link also in pano)

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-42
> Coarse gravel, slightly steep uphill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-43
> Rest area with very narrow tables and benches without backrests
> Simple toilet

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-44
> Less steep uphill

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-45
> A little steeper uphill again

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Stage 3 – Pano kjc-49
> End of the third stage at the Kibo Huts
> For the 4th stage {https://hikingtrailview.com/de/rennsteig-virtuelle-360-panoramatour/kilimandscharo-kilimanjaro-Marangu-Route-etappe-stage-4/} there is only a rudimentary tour with few photos – a snowstorm prevented me from
taking panoramic photos (links also in pano)
> Follow blue arrows to look around