OVERVIEW
Is known as the “Coca Cola route” – the Marangu route is one of the most popular routes leading to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many hikers believe that Marangu route is the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the route which can be hiked in 5 days (making it lower budget option). It is also the only route offering accommodation on the mountain, in the huts in each station. It is unfortunately a well-known fact, that the 5 days Marangu route has the lowest summit success rates of all the routes on the mountain. If you choose Marangu route, we strongly recommend hiking for 6 days, to increase your chance to reach the summit successfully as more time on the mountain allows a greater chance for altitude acclimatization. This is the only route, which provide comfortable sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every overnight station. Marangu route utilizes the same route for ascend and descend.
DAY TO DAY ACTIVITIES
Day 01
-Depart from Moshi or Arusha for Marangu Gate. After breakfast your guide will meet you and drive to Marangu Gate (about 1 hour) once you arrive at the park gate they will be a register section before commence your climb. After registration walk through the rainforest to Mandara encampment. A short trip to Maundi Crater to see the surroundings in the clear day you have a great chance to view northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys
-Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft.
-Distance Hiking Time: 3-4Hours.
-Habitat: Montane Forest.
-dinner overnight.
Day 02
-After breakfast leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. On the clear day you have chance to views Mawenzi Peak and the summit of Kibo both brings you are amazing image of African Mountains. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.
-Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft.
-Distance: 11km/5.5mi
-Hiking Time: 5-6Hours.
-Habitat: Heathland
-Meals: BLD.
Day 03
-After your second breakfast on the mountain you now ascend to the base camp walking via saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Cup of coffee on the arrival as your dinner, in this day dinner will be served early to allow enough time to rest, while preparing for summit climb which will start at midnight.
-Distance: 9km/5.5mi.
-Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
-Habitat: Alpine Desert
-Dinner overnight.
Day 04
-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. After the session continuing, further ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every single view you open your eyes after reached the summit you will descend back to where you’re journey began in the night for lunch and short rest at Kibo before continuous to the Horombo Hut. The beginning of this climb may be done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need your warm layers to remain on. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly” an optimistic attitude will get you there.
-Elevation: 4732m/15,500ft to 5895m/19.340ft
-Down to 3720m/12,200ft.
-Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down.
-Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 13km/9mi down.
-Habitat: Alpine Desert.
-Dinner overnight.
Day 05
-Horombo Hut descent to Marangu Gate, where you will drive to Moshi or Arusha After breakfast, descent takes us downhill through moorland to the Mandara Hut where your lunch will be served. After lunch, we continue descending through lush forest path Marangu Gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy in the rain season. We recommend you trekking poles to help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be sufficient (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
-Elevation: 3720m/12,200ft to 1800m/5500ft.
-Distance: 19km.
-Hiking Time: 4-6Hours.
-Habitat: Forest.
WHAT INCLUDED
-Bed and Breakfast, all transfer and all stated in the itinerary including entrance fees.
-The right is reserved to substitute hotels when necessary, for those described in this package.
