5 DAYS ITINERARY FOR MARANGU ROUTE
The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations in lieu of camping. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut.
Many favor Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. However the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason.
ARRIVAL AT THE AIRPORT.
Representative of Picture Tanzania Safari will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and escort you to tonight’s accommodations in Moshi/Arusha. As local Tanzania’s our guides know the country with unrivaled familiarity, so you’ll be in good hands from the moment you land to the moment you leave.
DAY 1: MARANGU GATE (1860m) TO MANDARA HUT.
Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.
DAY 2: MANDARA HUT (2700m) TO HOROMBO HUT (3700m).
Distance covered: 12.5km / 7.8mi
Approx. time taken: 9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
DAY 3: HOROMBO HUT (3700m) TO KIBO HUT (4700m).
Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
DAY 4: KIBO HUT (4700m) TO UHURU PEAK (5895m) & DOWN TO HOROMB HUT (3700m).
Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
DAY 5: HOROMBO HUT (3700m) TO MARANGU GATE (1860m).
Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included
On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.
Safari Package Includes:
• Portable toilet tent.
• 2 Night Hotel accommodations in Moshi, a day before trek and a day after trek.
• Transportation to and from your selected route.
• Transfer from Airport/Bus station in Moshi on arrival and return to airport/Bus station after climb.
• Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent.
• Quality Mess tents with table and chairs.
• Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides.
• All Tanzanian National Park Fees.
• Government Climbing Taxes.
• Climbing permits.
• All hot Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain.
• Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries.
• Fair and ethical treatment of Porters.
• Enough porters to carry your luggage:
-Safety Equipment:
-Emergency Oxygen
-Pulse Ox meter
• Hot drinks at every meal.
• Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day.
• Emergency rescue fees
• Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide
Safari Package Excludes:
• Personal items and toiletries
• Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain
• Tipping on Kilimanjaro from the trekking group (not per climber):
-Guides: $20/day/guide
-Cook: $15/day
-Porter: $10/day/porter
• Nonalcoholic drinks and Alcoholic drinks.
• Laundry services International airfares and departure taxes
• All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc
• Visa and International flight tickets fees.
N/B: Our Guides, cooks and Porters are always satisfied with your thanks giving (tip) you have and not beyond your ability.