Tour Overview
Marangu Route 6 Days, 5 nights it is known as “Coca-Cola” route, Marangu approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast of the Mountain. It is the oldest established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest route on the mountain. The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time is a bit low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended, maximizing the chance of reaching to the summit. Marangu is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.
Included/Exclude
Airport transfers
Service of an English speaking mountain guide
(2 nights of accommodation in Moshi Bed and Breakfast)
Accommodation in huts
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
Drinking water and full board meals on the mountain
All National Park fees, Crew Permits and VAT
Fair and Sustainable Salary for crew as approved by KINAPA
Kilimanjaro gate transfers
Emergency first-aid kit
Hot water for washing
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Oximeter on the mountain
Flights
Tips and gratuities
Gamow Bag
Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
Visa fees
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc
Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tour Plan
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and driven to the Marangu Gate (1,970m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of ascending, you will reach the Mandara Hut (2700m). Each hut has 6-8 sleeping bunks (sleeps 60 hikers total) with solar generated lighting. Next to the central hut there are flush toilets. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared! Elevation: 1,970m to 2,700 m Distance: 9 km Trekking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals Full Board
Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rain forest and into the heathen moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3,720m). Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site. Elevation: 2,700m to 3,720m Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: Approximately 14 km Habitat: Moorland Meals Full Board
Spend an extra day here at Horombo during the 6 day itinerary for acclimization purposes. This day you will hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock to have your body adjust to higher altitudes. After this session you will return back to Horombo hut for lunch, resting until dinner and overnight. Meals Full board
Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut (4,703m). The upper route (located to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour shorter). Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00 Hiking time: 6 hours Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers Habitat: Alpine desert Meals Full Board
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. Because you will climb to the summit in the dark you will need to have your headlamps / flashlights. It will also be very cold until you start descending, so you will need to have all of your warm layers. This is an important time to keep on slowly slowly (pole pole in Swahili). The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have a views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking photo’s. After your summit photos and taking in the view, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment and continue down through re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp. Elevation: 4,703m Uhuru Peak 5,895m to Horombo Hut camp (3,720m) Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down Hiking Time: 10-15 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After a long sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu park gate. After the gate sign out, a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for your certificate presentation and celebration. Accommodation at Park View Inn Elevation: Elevation): 3,720m to 1,970m Distance: 18 km Descending time: 6-7 hours Habitat: Montane forest Meals Breakfast and Lunch
