7 Days
Marangu Route
Categories: Tanzania, Climbing
Also known as the “Coca
Cola route” – the Marangu route is one of the most popular routes leading to
the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many hikers believe that the Marangu route is
the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the only route which can be hiked
in 5 days (making it the cheapest option). However, we strongly recommend
hiking the route over 6 days to increase your chances of reaching the summit
successfully. Note that this is the only route that provides communal sleeping
huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every overnight site. Some basic
goods such as mineral water, beer and chocolates are also sold at most sites.
The Marangu route takes the same route for both ascend and descend.
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Day by Day
Day 1: Airport pick-up-
Drop off at Hotel
You will be picked up by
the staff of Moonlight Tours from
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and driven to your accommodation in
Moshi. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day.
Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
Day 2: Marangu Gate
(1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m)
Hiking time: 5hrs •Distance:
Approximately 8.1 km • 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.
From the park gate, we ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest where you will see most of Kilimanjaro’s animals. 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 1.5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut where you will spend the night.
Mandara hut consists of 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.
From the park gate, we ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest where you will see most of Kilimanjaro’s animals. 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 1.5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut where you will spend the night.
Mandara hut consists of 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.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Mandara hut
Accommodation: Mandara hut
Day 3:Mandara hut (2715m)
– Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 6hours
•Distance: Approximately 11.6 km •Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut, the
trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi
Crater and then emerges into a 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 impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in
the distance, with sightings of 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 trek from here, you reach the Horombo hut for your accommodation.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo hut
(3705m) – Acclimatization day
Horombo hut is a village
of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara with a
capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and
porters, 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 acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the
Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down) is strongly
recommended.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 5: Horombo hut
(3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
Hiking time: 6hours
•Distance: Approximately 9.6 km •Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast, we
continue our 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 should be very familiar, as
you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. This
section is very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, 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).
Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo 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.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, 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).
Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo 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.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Day 6: Kibo hut (4730m) –
Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours
to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approximately
5.4km ascent and 15 km descent •Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around
23h20, 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) and also offers 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
great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section
of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillmans Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. 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 will have your last dinner on the mountain and have your well-earned sleep.
From Gillmans Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. 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 will have your last dinner on the mountain and have your well-earned sleep.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 7: Horombo hut
(3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
•Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
After breakfast, you
continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu
gate. At Marangu gate, you will receive your 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 Moshi/ Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and
celebration.
Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
Accommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
Inclusions
·
Park
fees (for non-residents)
·
All
activities (unless labeled as optional)
·
All
accommodation as stated in the itinerary
·
A
professional driver/guide
·
All
transportation (unless labeled as optional)
·
All
Taxes/VAT
·
Roundtrip
airport transfer
·
All
Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
·
Drinking
water on all days
For
Mountain climbing tours:
·
Camping
Equipment
·
Porterage
Not
Included:
·
International
flights (from/to home)
·
Additional
accommodation before and at the end of the tour
·
Tips
(tipping guideline US$5.00 pp per day)
·
Personal
items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
·
Government
imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
·
Alcohol
drinks
For
Mountain climbing tours:
·
Rescue
Fee
·
Climbing
Gear
·
Sleeping
Bag
