Climbing Mt Kilimanjaro through Marangu Route
It is the Oldest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, another names are Tourist Route and Coca Cola Route for Marangu Route.
Many say Marangu route is the cheapest, easiest and most popular route.”
Not true, Marangu route is only the cheapest route but not the easiest and most popular route. The easiest Rongai route and most popular is machame route.
The statement “Marangu Route” is the easiest is misleading. Its easiest trip to organise, have the widest, most comfortable path to walk on and offer hut accommodation, but Of all climbing routes on Kilimanjaro, the Marangu route has the lowest summit success rate!
Marangu route makes altitude acclimatization very difficult and its less scenic because the ascent and descent are along the same path.
Marangu Route offer hut accommodation in dormitory style But sleeping bag is required.
DAY 0- Free Airport Pickup
Arrive in Arusha, Tanzania FREE PICK UP!!
Our guide will pick you up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and take you to our office in Arusha. As local Tanzanians, our guides know well the country and Arusha city, so you’ll be in good hands from when you arrive to the moment you leave.
Where will we Sleep?
Arusha Tourist Inn
We recommend our customer to book Arusha tourist Inn hotel or Meru INN hotel. They have the best value for money for a one night stay before the safari. We can also reserve a room for you. (Get a lower rate if we book a room for you!!)
Amenities:
• Rooms, all with Tv. • Private bathroom. • Wi-Fi. • Hot shower.• City Center • Breakfast Included.
Day 1 – Marangu Gate (1860 m) – Mandara Huts (2700m)
Walking distance: 8 km, Time: 3-5 hrs, Altitude gain= 840 m
Pick at 8:00am from hotel to Marangu gate(1,860 m) takes 2hrs. Registrations, meet your guide and porters then pack all equipments. Takes 1hrs to 2hrs.
Start Marangu Route walking through rain forest.
The path is wide and formed with gravel a bit steep but the forest is amazing, very pretty with little stream, picturesque and little waterfalls.
Lunch will be at Kisamboni picnic area, In 2hrs you will reach Mandara Huts. Before the vegetation will change to the alpine heath and moorland.
Walking Highlights
• blue monkeys • colobus monkeys • Maundi Crater • Waterfalls • colorful birdlife • lichens and mosses • variety of flowers
Where will we Sleep?
Mandara Hut
Mandara Hut easily meets your needs in the best possible way. You can find frame mountain huts comprising of bunk bed at this hut. At this place, all trekkers gather for the same purpose. You can interact with a lot of similar minded climbers
Day 2; Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts (3700 m)
Walking distance: 12 km Time: 5-7 hrs Altitude gain: 1000 m
In the morning you will start walk through the forest. Soon their will be no more trees. In moorland the dominating plant is heather.
You will get good view of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The vegetation offers more open views. Through the hills across a few dry creeks.
Lunch stop will be 2hrs to the Horombo Huts. (No pressure during walking. It takes as long as it takes!)
Walking Highlights
• Hills • Kibo Peak • Mawenzi peak • colobus monkeys • giant senecios and loblelias • creeks
Where will we Sleep?
Horombo Huts
A group of wooden huts in a forest clearing. It is another group of huts very similar to the huts at Mandara. You will find a basic shelter and you will have dinner and overnight stay at Horombo Huts.
Day 3; Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts (4700 m/15420 ft)
Walking distance: 9.5 km Time: 5-7 hrs Altitude gain: 1000 m
In the morning, you continue climbing uphill the vegetation ends and passing several water streams. Soon you reach “Last Water Point“ at 4200. You can collect water. You will cross many ridge uphill to the “Saddle“. A plain desert between Mawenzi and Kibo peak.
Lunch then 2hrs climb to Kibo Hut. You will be surprised the path doesn’t LOOK steep but hike turns into a major effort. The landscape can change dramatic, windswept with big clouds rolling or open. Its really fun this part. Looking at Kibo the whole time, you will see the challenge ahead for you tonight…
Walking Highlights
• open and windswept • Saddle • alpine desert • ridge • Last Water Point • Mawenzi and Kibo peak•
Where will we Sleep?
Kibo Hut
You sleep in dormitories with quite restricted facilities. At night all final climb preparation of the Summit are done. Porters help you repack any items only the necessary.
Kibo Hut Overnight stay, Dinner and Breakfast
Day 4; Summit (5895 m)
Walking distance: 5.5 km(up) + 15 km Time: 10hrs+
Wake up at 11.00 and 11.30 pm. Get ready with your gear and have break fast. Around midnight start the hike to the summit you will see strings of little lights for climbers ahead of you.
As steep as the slope is the path itself isn’t that bad. Take all the time you need.
There are two landmarks that are resting points only minutes. Then 1:30hrs after leaving the cave rocks appear on the path a bit slippery called Jamaican Rocks. Its another 1:30hrs to reach Uhuru Peak.
Descend for Lunch at Kibo Huts. You have no choice but to pack up your gear and keep going 3hrs to the Horombo Huts…
Wlaking Highlights
• Uhuru Peak • crater rim • Glaciers • Sunrise At Africa Highest Point • breath Taking Views.
Where will we Sleep?
Horombo Huts
A group of wooden huts in a forest clearing. You will find a basic shelter and you will have dinner and overnight stay at Horombo Huts.
Day 5; Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate
Walking distance: 20 km Time: 5 hrs
After beakfast you set continue descending down. Lunch at Mandara Huts then descent to Marangu Gate. The path is already known so its just getting down to the marangu gate.
At the gate you’ll have to clear more formalities, but eventually you will say good bye to your guides and you climb into the vehicle waiting for you and be carried away to your hotel for hot showers and cold beers.
Where will we Sleep?
Arusha Tourist Inn
After a hard treck of kilimanjaro drive back to Arusha you will spend the night at Arusha tourist inn hotel.
Amenities:
• Rooms, all with Tv. • Private bathroom. • Wi-Fi. • Hot shower. • Breakfast Included.
FREE AIRPORT DROP OFF
FREE AIRPORT DROP OFF
The next day after safari you will have a free transfer to Arusha airport on a private car or transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport on a shuttle or 25 USD with a private car
