Moonlight Tours Expedition

7 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route

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
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. 
Meals: B,L,D
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
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
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. 
Meals: B,L,D
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.
Meals: B,L,D
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

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
Moonlight Tours Expedition

6Days Umbwe Route Climbing

6Days Umbwe Route Climbing

     
The Umbwe Route is steeper and shorter than the Machame Route. Once at the Barranco Hut you continue on with the other Machame hikers. The descent is down the Mweka trail.
Since it is a very short and direct route, it is not recommended for people with little altitude experience.
Day 1 : Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Umbwe Gate, Hike to Umbwe Cave Camp
Drive from Moshi to the Umbwe Gate (about 1 hour). Commence the climb through the rain forest with packed lunch on route.
·         Elevation: 1660m/5450ft to 2850m/9350ft
·         Distance: 11km/7mi
·         Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
·         Habitat: Montane Forest
·         Meals: LD
·         Budget Lodging: Umbwe Cave Camp
Day 2 : Umbwe Cave Camp to Barranco Camp
After breakfast, we leave the glades of the forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorland to Barranco Camp.
·         Elevation: 2850m/9350ft to 4000m/13,000ft
·         Distance: 6km/4mi
·         Walking Time: 4-5 hours
·         Habitat: Semi-desert
·         Meals: BLD
·         Budget Lodging: Barranco Camp
Day 3 : Hike Barranco Camp to Karanga Camp
After breakfast, we leave Barranco and continue on a steep ridge up the Barranco Wall to the Karanga Valley and the junction which connects with the Mweka Trail.
·         Elevation: 4000m/13,000ft to 4050m/13,250ft
·         Distance: 5km/3mi
·         Hiking Time: 34 hours
·         Habitat: Alpine Desert
·         Meals: BLD
·         Budget Lodging: Karanga Camp
Day 4 : Hike Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

We continue up to the Barafu Camp. You have completed the South Circuit, which offers views of the summit from many different angles. Here we make camp, rest, enjoy dinner, and prepare for the summit day.
·         Elevation: 4050m/13,250ft to 4700m/15,350ft
·         Distance: 4km/2mi
·         Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
·         Habitat: Alpine Desert
·         Meals: BLD
·         Budget Lodging: Barafu Camp
Day 5 : Hike Barafu Camp to Summit, down to Mweka Camp

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), we continue our way to the summit between the Rebmann and Ratzel glaciers. You head in a northwesterly direction and ascend through heavy scree towards Stella Point on the crater rim. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. At Stella Point you will stop for a short rest and will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit.
From Stella Point, you may encounter snow all the way on your 1-hour ascent to the summit. Once at Uhuru Peak you have reached the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa!
From the summit we begin our descent by continuing straight down to the Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch. You may want gaiters and trekking poles for the loose gravel going down. We arrive at Mweka Camp and enjoy our last evening on the mountain.
·         Elevation: 4700m/15,350ft to 5895m/19,340ft
·         Down to 3090m/10,150ft
·         Distance: 5km/3mi up / 13km/8mi down
·         Hiking Time: 5-7 hours up / 5-6 hours down
·         Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
·         Meals: BLD
·         Budget Lodging: Mweka Camp
Day 6 : Hike Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate, drive to Moshi
After breakfast we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 30 minutes).
·         Elevation: 3090m/10,150ft to 1680m/5500ft
·         Distance: 10km/6mi
·         Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
·         Habitat: Forest
·         Meals: B
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Mount Kilimanjaro Includes
·         Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
·         2 Nights accommodation
·         Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
·         All Park fees
·         Rescue fees
·         All meals while on the Mountain
·         Arrival and Departure transfers
·         Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
·         Quality Mess tents with table and chairs:
·         Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
·         Clean, purified drinking water:
·         Crisis management and safety procedures:
·         Fair and ethical treatment of porters:
·         Sleeping Mattress:
·         Emergency Evacuation by Flying Doctor Society of Africa:
Excludes:
·            Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival
·            Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
·            Meals not listed above
·            Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)

·            Tips and any items of personal nature.

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