Marangu Route 6 Days | Kilimanjaro Climbing

From

$1650.00

Duration

6 days

Tour Type

Mountain Camping Tent Stay, Treking

4.33 by 3 reviews

Quality4
Location4.67
Amenities4
Services5
Price4

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Tours Overview

The Marangu Route has been referred to as the ‘Coca Cola’ route and this has led potential climbers to think that it is an easy route to the summit. This is far from the truth, to be honest! The fact that it requires a minimum of 5 days to complete it does not mean that it is easier than any other route. The only reason that people say it is easier is because it is the only route up where you sleep in huts as opposed to tents. An optional acclimatization day at Horombo Huts is highly recommended for those with no prior trekking in altitude experience under their belt. Advance booking of hut accommodation is required to avoid any inconveniences.

The route starts from the park headquarters in the Marangu village and heads straight west towards Kibo. The trail goes through lush rainforest, heath, and moorland to the alpine desert and ultimately to the Arctic zone at the peak and the same route down.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Moshi

Day one of your Kilimanjaro trekking adventure begins with an exhilarating journey from the moment you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport. Upon arrival, you'll be warmly greeted by our representative who will escort you to your comfortable hotel in Moshi, where you can rest and prepare for the adventure ahead. After settling in, you'll head to our office for a crucial pre-trek briefing. Here, you'll meet your mountain guide and a dedicated consultant who will walk you through the itinerary, ensuring you understand the trek's challenges and highlights. They will meticulously check your gear, confirming that you have everything required for the ascent, from proper clothing to trekking poles. This briefing is not just about logistics; it's also an opportunity to ask questions, discuss any concerns, and get acclimated to the idea of climbing Africa's highest peak. With all preparations in order, your Kilimanjaro adventure officially kicks off with this foundational day, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience.

Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

Today's Stats:

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Total Distance: 7 km
Starting Altitude: 1830m (6,000ft)
Final Altitude: 2740m (9,000ft)
Environment: Montane (Rain) Forest

The day begins with an early morning drive through the lush, semi-tropical foothills of Kilimanjaro, leading us to the Marangu Gate, the official entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. Here, amid the vibrant greetings of park officials and the excitement of your fellow trekkers, you'll officially start your ascent.

The trail winds through a dense tropical rainforest, characterized by its vivid greens, towering trees, and the symphony of bird calls and monkey chatter. As you tread through this enchanting environment, expect to encounter unique flora like the giant ferns and various species of orchids. The path is well-trodden but can be slippery due to the rain, so good footwear is essential.

After approximately 4-5 hours of hiking, you'll reach Mandara Hut, your first overnight stop on the mountain. Nestled among the trees, this hut offers basic amenities where you can rest after the day's trek. Before settling in, you might want to take a short walk to the nearby Maundi Crater for a panoramic view of the landscape or simply to stretch your legs after the hike. Here, at Mandara Hut, you'll also have your first taste of high-altitude living, where the air begins to thin, preparing you for the days ahead.

Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Today’s Status:

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Total Distance: 11 km
Starting Altitude: 2700m (9,000ft)
Final Altitude: 3700m (12,141ft)
Environment: Moorland

The second day of your Kilimanjaro adventure starts with a brisk morning, where you'll bid farewell to the last remnants of the rainforest. The trail ascends steeply at first, threading through the final patches of lush vegetation into the transition zone of alpine meadows where giant heather trees stand sentinel. As you climb higher, the landscape shifts dramatically to an open heath, marked by stunted plants and the stark beauty of the moorland.

This day's hike is significant not just for its distance but also for the elevation gain of approximately 1,000 meters, which is crucial for acclimatization. The altitude here starts to make itself felt; thus, pacing yourself is key. You'll find the air thinner, your breathing more labored, and the need for frequent rest stops will become apparent.

The trek to Horombo Hut typically takes around 6-7 hours, offering a mix of challenges and rewards. Along the way, you'll see the moorland stretch before you, with its unique flora adapted to the harsh conditions, like the ever-present Senecio Kilimanjari. As you approach Horombo Hut, you'll be greeted by the sight of this larger, more accommodating camp, your home for the next couple of nights. Here, at 3700 meters, you'll have a chance to rest, acclimatize, and marvel at the sweeping views of Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro's second summit. Remember, hydration and pacing are your best allies at this stage of the climb.

Day 04 : Acllamization to Horombo

On day four of your Kilimanjaro trek, you'll engage in a strategic acclimatization hike from Horombo Hut. After a hearty breakfast, you'll embark on a short but purposeful walk towards Mawenzi, the second highest peak on Kilimanjaro. The trek to Mawenzi Base Camp takes you through a landscape that shifts from the alpine desert to a more rugged terrain, providing not just a physical challenge but also an opportunity to better understand the mountain's weather patterns and the effects of altitude. This hike, known as an acclimatization walk, involves ascending to a higher altitude before returning to sleep at the same or a slightly lower elevation, which is a key strategy in acclimatizing to the thin air at high altitudes. The journey to Mawenzi Base Camp and back to Horombo can take several hours, and along the way, you'll witness the stark beauty of Kilimanjaro's less visited side, with its unique flora like the giant groundsels, and experience how quickly the weather can change at this altitude. This day is crucial not just for physical acclimatization but also for mentally preparing you for the summit push, teaching you to read the mountain's signs and respect its challenges. After this excursion, you'll return to Horombo Hut for another night, where you'll rest, hydrate, and discuss with your guides the nuances of high-altitude trekking, further preparing for the climb ahead.

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Today’s Status:

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Total Distance: 10 km
Starting Altitude: 3700m (12,141ft)
Final Altitude: 4695m (15,400ft)
Environment: Semi-Desert

On the fourth day of your Kilimanjaro trek, you'll continue your ascent into an increasingly harsh environment. The landscape shifts from the moorland of Horombo Hut to a more desolate, semi-desert terrain characterized by rocky outcrops and sparse vegetation. Here, you'll encounter the unique flora of high altitudes, like the giant groundsels and lobelias, which are adapted to survive in this extreme environment.

The trail today will take you around the dramatic Mawenzi Peak, Kilimanjaro's second highest peak, offering breathtaking views but also signaling the transition to a more challenging part of the trek. As you move further, the path crosses 'the saddle', a vast, flat expanse between Mawenzi and Kibo, resembling a lunar landscape with its barren, almost otherworldly appearance. This tundra desert is where you'll experience the full impact of altitude, with the air significantly thinner, making every step feel more laborious.

The hike to Kibo Hut, your base for the summit push, is roughly 6-7 hours long. It's a day where you'll need to pace yourself even more cautiously due to the altitude, ensuring you hydrate well and take breaks as needed. Kibo Hut itself is a stark contrast to the lush areas you've passed, situated at 4695 meters, it's where you'll rest and gather strength for the summit attempt that looms ahead. Here, in this semi-desert environment, under the watchful eyes of both Mawenzi and Kibo, you'll prepare for the most challenging part of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

Today’s Status:

Hiking Time: 11-15 hours
Total Distance: 18.5 km
Starting Altitude: 4695m (15,000ft) – Uhuru Peak 5895m (19,340ft)
Descend Final Altitude: 3700m (12,140ft)
Environment: Alpine Desert

The summit day on Kilimanjaro is both the most challenging and rewarding part of your trek. You'll be roused from your rest soon after midnight, the silence of the night broken only by the crunch of boots on gravel and the occasional whisper of encouragement from your guides. The ascent begins with a zigzag path up a long scree slope, where the effort of each step is compounded by the thin air at this altitude.

After about two hours of climbing, you'll reach Hans Meyer's Cave, a significant marker on the route where the trail intensifies. Here, the gradient steepens, demanding more from your muscles and lungs. Another three hours of pushing through the darkness and against the cold leads to Gilman's Point, perched on the rim of the crater at around 5,681 meters (18,638 feet). The sight here, as the sun begins to rise, casting a golden hue over the ice fields and the craggy silhouette of Mawenzi, is nothing short of spectacular, offering a moment of sheer awe amidst the physical strain.

From Gilman's Point, there's still a further push along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Kilimanjaro at 5,895 meters (19,340 feet). Reaching this point is the culmination of your journey, where you stand atop Africa, with panoramic views of the surrounding landscape draped in clouds below.

However, the summit is only halfway through your day. After celebrating this monumental achievement, you'll begin the descent. The trek down is fast, often taking half the time of the ascent due to the loose scree, leading back to Kibo Hut for a brief rest before continuing to Horombo Hut. This descent to Horombo Hut, where the air gets richer with oxygen with each step down, is long and taxing on the knees but necessary to avoid the dangers of prolonged exposure to high altitude.

By the time you reach Horombo Hut, you'll have been on your feet for 11-15 hours, an experience that encapsulates the extremes of human endurance and the beauty of nature's highest reaches.

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Today’s Status:

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Total Distance: 18 km
Starting Altitude: 3700m (12,140ft)
Final Altitude: 1830m (6,000ft)
Environment: Rain Forest

The sixth day of your Kilimanjaro trek marks the end of your mountain adventure as you make your way back down to civilization. After enjoying a leisurely breakfast at Horombo Hut, you'll begin your descent through the varying ecosystems you've traversed on your way up. The trail leads you back across the alpine meadow, where you can appreciate the stark contrast between the high-altitude landscapes and the verdant greenery that awaits below.

As you pass Mandara Hut, you'll re-enter the dense, lush rainforest that greeted you at the start of your journey. Here, the air thickens with moisture, and the sounds of wildlife become more pronounced, with the chatter of birds and the rustling of leaves. The descent through this vibrant environment is a sensory delight, with the scents of the forest and the sight of towering trees, ferns, and occasional glimpses of monkeys or other forest dwellers.

The trek back to Marangu Gate typically takes 6-7 hours, giving you ample time to reflect on your achievement while your body adjusts back to the lower altitude. Upon reaching Marangu Gate, you'll be met by your driver who will transfer you back to your hotel in Moshi. This return journey, surrounded by the semi-tropical foothills, brings a sense of accomplishment and relief, marking the end of your Kilimanjaro expedition.

At the hotel, you can enjoy a much-needed shower, a comfortable bed, and the luxury of looking back on your climb with pride, perhaps already reminiscing about the moments of challenge, beauty, and triumph on the roof of Africa.

Day 8: Departure or Safari Extension

On this final day of your Kilimanjaro adventure, you have two paths before you:

Depart Tanzania: For those whose journey with Kilimanjaro marks the end of their Tanzanian adventure, we facilitate a smooth transition back to daily life. After a relaxing morning at your hotel, perhaps savoring one last Tanzanian breakfast, you'll be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport or the local bus station, depending on your onward travel plans. This transfer ensures you reach your destination with plenty of time for check-in if flying or to catch your next bus. As you leave, you'll carry with you not just souvenirs but memories of an incredible climb, one that will linger in your mind for years to come.

Continue Your Dream with Amazing Safari Extensions: Alternatively, if your spirit of adventure is still aflame, this is the perfect opportunity to delve into the wonders of Tanzania's wildlife. We offer a variety of safari extensions, where you can explore some of Africa's most renowned national parks like Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, or Tarangire. Imagine swapping the mountain air for the savannah breeze, watching the Big Five in their natural habitat, or witnessing the Great Migration. Our safaris are tailored to provide an intimate experience with nature, all while ensuring comfort and safety. Whether you choose a short game drive or an extended journey through multiple parks, this extension will round off your Tanzanian experience with the vast, wild beauty of Africa.

Regardless of your choice, day seven is about transitioning from one adventure to another or returning home enriched by your experiences. We ensure that your departure or continuation is as seamless and enjoyable as the journey itself.

Included/Exclude

Airport transfers
Kilimanjaro National Park entrance, camping/hut and rescue fees
2 - nights Accommodations on BB at The Better Inn
Professional Up-to-date wilderness first responder trained guide or equivalent Assistance Guide
Gamow bag (portable hyperbaric chamber)
Expedition medical kit
3 person expedition tents (2 clients/tent)
Mountaineering mattress
Lightweight mess tent
Expeditions walk-in mess tent
Lightweight aluminum table
Luxury chair with backrest
Purified water while on the mountain
Return transfer Arusha/Arusha hotel to Park Gate
Wine and Champagne at the summit
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Salary for the porters
Salary for the Guides
Salary for the Cooks
Government taxes
VAT 18% on park entrance fees
Hot steamy towel on the camp
Bowl of hot washing water in the morning and evening
Shower/wash tent.

International airfare
Excess baggage charges
Costs of visas
Immunizations
Personal expenses such as beverages (other than those included with meals, as listed in each itinerary)
Room service
Souvenirs
Laundry
Communication charges
Medical or extra evacuation fees
Staff gratuities
Personal trekking equipment
Additional transportation
Meals incurred by a client unable to continue a planned itinerary due to illness
Medical conditions or airline schedule changes.