Marangu   Route

Start : NAIROBI

End : Arusha  Moshi  or Nairobi.

 

Popularly Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many  people prefer the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.

Highlights

 

  • Mountain Climbing Safari
  • Summit Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route
  • Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included while on the mountain
  • Services of porters,cook  and guide
  • 04 nights accommodation in huts on the mountain
  • 02 nights hotel accommodation in Arusha on bed and breakfast.

 

 

Day 01 : Nairobi – Arusha ( Approx. 4Hrs Drive)

 

07.15 am –  8.00 a.m pick up from your hotel  and  depart  to  Arusha  aboard the scheduled morning shuttle bus with a stop at the Namanga  border  point where you will  acquire visas and entry  stamps at immigration offices. You will proceed with the drive to Arusha arriving in the afternoon, dropped at  hotel Center inn or similar .You will spend  the afternoon organizing  trekking  gear  and  hire what you may require for the trek. Overnight at Arusha Center Inn Hotel on bed and breakfast basis. Lunch and dinner on own arrangement.

Day  02  : Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m)

Hiking time: 5h

Distance: Approximately 8.1 km

Habitat: Montane forest

After breakfast at your  hotel ,meet with the adventure crew to start the drive from  Arusha  to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate an hours drive. Arrive  at the park gate , for registered  and start your  walk . You will  Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara camp  located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. arriving at  Mandara hut  for dinner and overnight.

Day  03 : Mandara hut (2715m) – Horombo hut (3705m)

Hiking time: 6 hrs

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 the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short  tour 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 be seen  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 trek from here, you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have a hot bowl of washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.

Day 04 : Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)

Hiking time: 6hrs

Distance: Approximately 9.6 km

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) should be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day (on your acclimatisation hike) towards Mawenzi hut. This section is very stony and eroded 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. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 05: 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  up  at around 23h20, and take a cup of  tea and biscuits and set off for the summit .This  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. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.

From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak ( Summit  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 for breakfast . 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 the challenge .Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain .

Day 06: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)

Hiking time: 6h

Distance: Approximately 19.7 km

After breakfast you will pack and proceed out of the mountain (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate where you sign your summit certificate of achievements accordingly. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You will be picked from Marangu village and drive back to Arusha for overnight.

Day 07: Arusha  – Depart

After breakfast you will board scheduled morning shuttle bus back to Nairobi or for those extending to the Zanzibar will take a bus or fly appropriately.

 

END OF SERVICE

INCLUDED

  • Transport to & from the mountain ex Nairobi (Shuttle Bus)
  • Accommodation at Arusha or Moshi Hotel BB (2nights)
  • Porters, Guide & Cooks Fee
  • Three meals a day whilst on the mountain
  • All hut & camping fees
  • All park entry fees
  • Certificate of achievement

NOT INCLUDED

  • Tipping to the guide & porters, cooks
  • Personal climbing gear – clothing’s & rucksack
  • Personal travel insurance
  • Beverages & mineral water
  • Items of personal nature.
  • Visa

 

MOUNTAIN GEAR CHECK-LIST

  • A Racksack For Your Equipments – To Be Carried By Porters
  • Sleeping Bag [Mountain Type], Day Pack – For Your Personal Items
  • Hiking, Climbing Boots ,Camp Shoes, Trainers Not Sandals
  • 2 Thin Polypro Type For Quick Drying, 4 Thick Wind Pants, Wind shirts
  • High Gaiters, Warm Pants [Fleece], Jacket Or Pullover, 1 Rain Parka
  • 2 Underwears,1 Hiking Shirt, Long Sleeve, 1 Bandanna
  • 1 Warm Hat, 1 Hiking Shorts, Pants ,Balaclava, Fleece Neck Warmer
  • Headlamp, Bulb, Batteries, First Aid Kit, Pocketknife ,Sunglasses, Snow
  • Goggles ,Water Purification Tablets
  • Toiletry Item, Plus Sunblock, Lipsalve And Moisturizer
  • Walking Stick
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