7 Days Marangu Route

Duration

7 Days 6 Nights

Tour Type

Mountain

Group Size

Tour Guide

1 Guide

Kilimanjaro

Marangu route which is also known as the coca cola route is the least expensive 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.

Destination	Kilimanjaro
Depature	Yes Required
Departure Time	08:30 AM
Return Time	04:00 PM
Included	All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel Emergency Oxygen Cylinder All meals while on the Mountain Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food Conservation fees (part of park fees) Kilimanjaro summit certificate Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees) Clean, purified drinking water VAT (18% charged by the Government) Rescue fees (part of park fees) Professional, experienced, mountain guides Sleeping Mattress
Excluded	Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment) Government imposed increase of Taxes and or Park Fees. International and domestic flights Travel insurance Tanzania Visa Transfers (available as an optional addon) Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.) Meals not listed in the itinerary Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting) Hotel (available as an optional addon) Tips and gratuities Liquors, beers and bottled beverages

Details

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. This route is usually done in 5 days (shortest route to the summit) 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.

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys. Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft Distance: 8km/5mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Montane Forest Meals: Lunch and Dinner

You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the affects of the altitude. Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft Distance: 12km/7.5mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Heathland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Rest day at Horombo Hut with optional hike by Mawenzi Peak. Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft Distance: 0km/0mi Hiking Time: 0 hours Habitat: Heathland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb. Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft Distance: 9km/5.5mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Spend the day at Kibo Hut to rest, recover, and adjust to the altitude before the summit. Take short hikes, stay hydrated, and prepare mentally and physically for the climb ahead. Elevation: 4700 m/15500 ft Distance: 9 km Hiking time: 5-6 hrs Habitat: alpine desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour). Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft Distance: 20km/12.5mi Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: Breakfast