TANZANIA SAFARIS
- Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Safaris
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Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro Trekking | Tanzania
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MKCTK
601:
Kilimanjaro Climbing Marangu
Route Trekking
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Total hiking
distance: About 96 km's
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(Excluding any
acclimatisation hike)
Affectionately
known as the "Coca-Cola route", Marangu route is by far the most popular route to
the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that
the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that
it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the
summit one day earlier than on the Machame route. This is not always the
best way due to a shorter acclimatisation period. The Marangu route does
however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the
mountain. This extends the route to a 6-day march, greatly increasing your
chances of success. Hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the
main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative
luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water,
soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this
route. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all
your meals.
For the 5-day
route, simply exclude the additional acclimatisation day at Horombo hut -
day 3 on the itinerary below.
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Day 1:
Arrival - Moshi
- On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport,
met and assisted. Transfer to Keys Annex Hotel in Moshi for an overnight rest on bed
and breakfast in readiness for the next day's hit to Kilimanjaro.
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Day 2: Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
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Hiking time: 5 hours
| Distance: About
12 km's | Habitat:
Montane forest
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The drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. 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.
Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking
water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a
lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be available to assist with any
additional information or needs you might have. 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. This
trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you
the option to rejoin the main trail either, after 1½ hours hiking, or 1 hour
before Mandara hut.)
Your first
night stop, Mandara hut, is 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,
B,L,D.
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Day 3:
Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
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Hiking time: 6
hours | Distance: About
15 km's | Habitat:
Moorland
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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. 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 from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing
water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.
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Day 4: Horombo
hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day
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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! Normally bustling with
hikers, guides, porters and 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 acclimatisation. 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. This hike will further assist with the
process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly!
All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a
last good night's rest, B,L,D.
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Day 5: Horombo
hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
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Hiking time: 6
hours | Distance: About
15 km's | Habitat: Alpine
desert
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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) 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 (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour
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). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!!
Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo 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, B,L,D.
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Day
6: SUMMIT ATTEMPT,
Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut
(3720m)
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Hiking time: 8
hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo | Distance: 6
km's ascent - 21 km's descent | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
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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. Probably the most
demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillman’s
Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m),
the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made
it. 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
enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp
office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and
stirring emotions, B,L,D.
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Day 7: Horombo
hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
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Hiking time: 6
hours | Distance: About
27 km's
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After breakfast
you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the
Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a
register. This is also where successful climbers receive their 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 for a long over due hot
shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at
Keys Annex Hotel,
B,L.
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Day 8: Departure
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Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight
back home or continue with your safari schedule. End of services. B
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Tour Price: US$ 1,500 per person sharing. Single
room supplement: US$ 125
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Tour price
includes:
-Transfer to and from the base of the mountain
-Marangu route trek as itinerary depicts
-Full board accommodation whilst on the trek.
-Meal plan as detailed: B=Breakfast, L=Lunch and D=Dinner
-Accommodations at Keys Annex Hotel in Moshi for 2 nights and huts on the mountain as
per the itinerary
-All park entrance fees to include government taxes
-Service of an English speaking professional Mountain guide on the mountain,
porters and skilled cook
-All services begin and end at Kilimanjaro Airport as per the itinerary
-Treated water on the trek
-Return airport transfers from/to Kilimanjaro Airport
-Mountain rescue fees
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Excluded:
-Tips, laundry, sleeping bags, drinks and climbing gears
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-Medical evacuation, USD 30 per person value
-International flights and taxes
-Visas
-Items of a personal nature and any other extras not detailed in the above
itinerary.
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