6 Days
Marangu Route
Overview
- Nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” route due to the older days when Coke used to be bought along the way in tea huts
- Often selected by unprepared, not so experienced climbers because of its reputation for being the “easiest” route, attributing to the lower success rate
- The shortest and cheapest route, but less time to acclimatize, therefore lower success rate
- Dormitory style accommodation in huts.
Accommodation:
Hut
Type of Safari:
Mountain Trekking
Arrival Location:
Kilimanjaro Airport
Departure Location:
Kilimanjaro Airport
Best Period:
June – October
Itinerary at glance
| Day | Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandara Hut | Hut | BLD |
| 2 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD |
| 3 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD |
| 4 | Kibo Hut | Hut | BLD |
| 5 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD |
| 6 | Moshi | D |
BB:
Bed & Breakfast
BBLD:
Bed and breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
AI:
All inclusive
TRSF:
Transfer
CRT:
Crater Tour
LEI:
Leisure
A:
Morning game drive
P:
Afternoon game drive
Day by Day
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 12kms
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, your guide will brief you and check your equipment’s. The drive from Arusha 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. 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.
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Moorland
From 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.
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! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation.
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
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 and lower route to choose from. The upper route 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 is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m.
Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms 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. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Move slowly.
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 27kms:
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Remember to sign at the gate. Again, the journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!
Preparation Checklists
Travel Documents
- Valid passport and visa
- Airline ticket
- International health card with immunizations (Yellow fever)
Guides and Porters
Guides and Porters
Once on the Mountain, your well-equipped guides and porters, will rank second only to your mental determination, in terms of important factors contributing to a successful summit attempt.
While on the Mountain
Go Slowly
Go slowly – “Pole Pole” as they say in Swahili! This is also very important during your first days of climbing. Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery.
- Price includes
- 2 nights’ hotel Arusha of Moshi (before & after climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Four season, 3-person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
- Price Not includes
- Airfare/Visas
- Travel Insurance
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips
Got a Question?
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- +254 724 731 331
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