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Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route,
Marangu route on Mt. Kilimanjaro, Marangu route info, climbing and hiking
guide, route Trekking Marangu Route
Marangu route
Route duration: five to six days
Total hiking distance: Approximately 96 kms (excludes acclimatization hikes
on day three)
Affectionately known as the "Coca-Cola route", Marangu 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 acclimatization period. The
Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra
acclimatization 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.
6 day - Itinerary for the Marangu route
For the 5-day route, simply exclude the additional acclimatization day at
Horombo hut - day 3 on the itinerary below.
Mt Kilimanjaro in the distance.
Day one
Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 12kms
Habitat: Montane forest
Hut accommodation on the Marangu route on Kilimanjaro. The drive from Moshi
to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. 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 1.5 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 two
Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Moorland
Moorland area of the Marangu route. 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 three
Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day
Horombo hut.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! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, 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 four
Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Alpine desert
Climbers on day four on the Marangu route, heading for Mt Kilimanjaro's
summit. 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 shorter, 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!!
Tired climbers resting in one of the huts on the Marangu route. 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 five
(Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak ( 5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
On Mt Kilimanjaro's 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. This is probably the most demanding section of
the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
Group of hikers at
Gillman's Point. From Gillmans 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 six
Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 27kms
Celebrating the successful summit of Mt Kilimanjaro. After breakfast you
continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the
Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips
until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. 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 overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at
the Springlands hotel.
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