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Kilimanjaro climb up the Marangu route. Discounts Apply
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TRIP INFORMATION:
Marangu Route is also known as the "Coca Cola" or
"tourist" route. It is the easiest and shortest route to
the summit. This is also the only route with the
comforts of sleeping huts at every camp site with solar
lights and comfortable beds. The huts are communal, and
the bunks have a sponge mattress and pillow. There are
60 beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 beds at
Horombo Hut. Bathrooms and running water are available
at the two lower huts. Mens' and ladies' latrines are
available at the last camp but are very basic. All
climbing groups, often from several countries around the
world, share meals in dining huts providing a jovial and
energetic atmosphere. Soft drinks, bottled water, and
beer are for sale at the huts. Bring small Tanzanian
bills to purchase these items (prices increase with
elevation). This route is usually done on 5 days but can
be done in 6 days for better acclimatization. The extra
day can be spent resting at Horombo or climbing the
small peak of Mawenzi.
We recommend you to bring with you gears like; hiking
boots, thick hiking socks, windproof/waterproof pants
and jacket, heavy gloves, heavy winter jacket, water
bottles, gaiters (covers top of boots and bottom of
pants), smaller personal backpack, larger backpack for
clothes, cold weather sleeping bags, safari style hat
protecting face and neck from sun, headlamp style
flashlight, camera of course, dried fruit and energy
bars, sun block, malaria pills, water purification
tablets, inflatable pillows, your regular clothes.
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Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: About 12 km's
Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park
gate, takes about 1hrs. 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 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.
Day 2: Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
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. 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.
Day 3: Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day
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.
Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 15 km's
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)
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.
Day 5: SUMMIT ATTEMPT, Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak
(5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
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
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.
Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: About 27 km's
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.
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you
back to the Hotel in Arusha Don't forget to tip your
guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
End of Tour.
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