Climbing Kilimanjaro Marangu Route,
Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Kilimanjaro
climb, climbing Mt Kilimanjaro, Africa Highest
peak
CLIMBING MOUNT KILIMANJARO - Marangu route
KILIMANJARO MARANGU ROUTE TREKKING
Departs daily
Total Kilimanjaro hiking distance: About 96 km's
(Excluding any acclimatisation hikes on day 3)
Affectionately known as the "Coca-Cola route",
Marangu is by far the most popular route to the
summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a
result of the fact that the Marangu is the least
expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact
that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5
days, thereby getting to the summit one day
earlier than on the Kilimanjaro Machame route.
This is not always the best way due to a shorter
acclimatisation period. The Marangu route does
however offer you the option of spending an
extra acclimatization day on the mountain. This
extends the route to a 6-day march, greatly
increasing your chances of success. Hut
accommodation on the Kilimanjaro Marangu route
forms one of the main differences, compared to
the other routes. It offers you the relative
luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the
entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks,
chocolates and beers are also sold at all the
camps on this route. All your equipment and
supplies are portered and a cook prepares all
your meals.
6 day - Itinerary for the Marangu route
For the 5-day Kilimanjaro route, simply exclude
the additional acclimatization day at Horombo
hut - day 3 on the itinerary below.
Day 1: Arrival - Arusha
On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, met and
assisted. Transfer to a hotel for an overnight
rest on bed and breakfast in readiness for the
next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
Day 2: Arusha - Kilimanjaro Marangu Gate (1980m)
- Mandara hut (2700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: About 12 km's
Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National
Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey
passes through the village of Marangu, which is
located on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are
requested to sign in at the Park office and make
their final preparations for the climb. Porters
will be seen arranging and loading their packs,
containing the food, water, cooking gas as well
as most of your equipment. Make sure that you
have all your daypack items (containing at least
drinking water, your lunch pack and extra
clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot
quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be
available to assist with any additional
information or needs you might have. You now
leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared
ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest,
suffused with mist and dripping with beards of
moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro's
animals are found. (An alternative and more
scenic parallel forest trail, branches off to
the left a few minutes after the gate. This
trail follows the edge of a stream through the
undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin
the main trail either, after 1½ hours
Kilimanjaro hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara
hut.)
Your first night stop, Kilimanjaro Mandara hut,
is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest
clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks
with solar generated lighting. The total
capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is
piped into the camp from springs above and there
are flush toilets behind the main hut, B,L,D.
Day 3: Kilimanjaro Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo
hut (3720m)
Kilimanjaro Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Moorland
From Kilimanjaro Mandara hut the trail passes
through a short stretch of forest, then skirts
the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges
into the transition from rain forest to
moorland. It is well worth a short detour to
scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for
your first really impressive view of the Kibo
Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the
distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in
the morning sun. Once you are in the open
moorland you will get the chance to see some of
Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the
endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in
height and the giant groundsel (Senecia
Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m!
After about 6 hours from here you reach the
Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing
water, rest; an evening meal and overnight,
B,L,D.
Day 4: Kilimanjaro Horombo hut (3720m) -
Acclimatisation day
Kilimanjaro Horombo hut is a village of huts
perched on a small plateau, with buildings
similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of
120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers,
guides, porters and with an atmosphere of
adventure and excitement. You will meet both
ascending and descending hikers here. This extra
day and night at Horombo is for additional
acclimatisation. A hike towards the Kilimanjaro
Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way
(about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is
strongly recommended. This hike will further
assist with the process of acclimatisation.
Remember to drink enough water and move slowly!
All meals for the day are provided at the hut.
Retire to bed early and get a last good night's
rest, B,L,D.
Day 5: Kilimanjaro Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo
hut (4700m)
Kilimanjaro Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent
into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo
there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which
refers to the area located between the peaks of
Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route
(right hand fork) and lower route (left hand
fork) to choose from. The upper route (right
hand fork) will be very familiar, as you will
have climbed most of it the previous day towards
Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is
much easier and nearly an hour and it also
passes the last watering point at 4130m. You
will have to fill your water bottles with all
the water you will need until your return to
Horombo hut in two night's time (unless you are
willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once
again remember to slow down and drink enough
water!! Situated in the barren Alpine desert is
Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has
bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with
water nearby. It is however possible to buy
mineral water and soft drinks at the camp
office.
There are platform toilets behind the hut. The
summit is now a further 1195m up and you will
make your final ascent the same night. Prepare
your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing
for your summit bid. This should include the
replacement of your headlamp and camera
batteries and make sure you have a spare set
available as well. To prevent freezing it will
be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask.
Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as
much rest and sleep as possible, B,L,D.
Day 6: Kilimanjaro SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut
(4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut
(3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to
descend to Horombo
Distance: 6 km's ascent - 21 km's descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea
and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and
this is where the going really gets tough. The
first section of the trail consists of a rocky
path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good
resting spot. The path then zigzags up to
Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on
the crater rim. This section is very steep with
a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical
and mental effort. Probably the most demanding
section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle
and move slowly.
From Gillman's Point you will normally encounter
snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the
highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and
satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions
on the summit will determine how long you will
be able to spend, taking photographs, before the
3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short
rest you gather all your gear you left behind
for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3
hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo
hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the
ascent. The total time spent walking on this day
is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very
tough day.
Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner
(with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp
office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep,
filled with memories and stirring emotions,
B,L,D.
Day 7: Kilimanjaro Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu
Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 27 km's
After breakfast you continue your descent (6
hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the
Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name
and details in a register. This is also where
successful climbers receive their summit
certificates. Those climbers who reached
Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green
certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak
(5895m), receive gold certificates. You now
drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot
shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at
hotel, B,L
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
for your flight back home or continue with your
safari schedule. End of services. B
Tour cost: US$ 1,385 per person sharing. Single
room supplement: US$ 65
Tour price includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Marangu route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Meal plan as clearly detailed: B=Breakfast,
L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations at a budget hotel for 2 nights on bed
and breakfast
-Accommodations in huts on the mountain as per
the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government
taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional
Mountain guide on the mountain, porters and
skilled cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro
Airport as per the itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro
Airport
-Chemical toilet/s on the mountain
-Kilimanjaro climb certificate (Those that reach
Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green
certificates & Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold
certificates)
-Mountain rescue fees
Excluded:
-Any possible park fees entrance increments
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and
climbing gears
-Travel, health, baggage loss and flight delay
insurance
-Medical & hospitalisation bills
-International flights and taxes
-Visas & travel documents
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras
not detailed in the above itinerary.
Mt
Kilimanjaro climbing Marangu Route ,Trekking and Climbing
Kenya
Safari Holidays
Kilimanjaro