Marangu Route

6 Days

ZRMR - Tanzania

This is the easiest route to take to ascend Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa with its two main summits, the craggy Mawenzi, 5149m, and the 'flat-topped', glaciated Kibo, 5896m. The Saddle, a 5km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert separates the two. From the summit glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland then forests lead down to the cultivated foothills. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through these dramatically different zones.  For the ascent to Uhuru Peak from Kibo Hut a very early start is made since the scree is easier to climb when frozen and the views from the crater rim at dawn can be spectacular. Ski sticks are useful when ascending the scree to the summit. Accommodation on the mountain is in comfortable huts you will require a sleeping bag and mat. This is a tough walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. An extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude can be spent at Horombo. From Horombo there are various walks to enjoy.

Available dates:

Sept 3 - Sep 10, 2005 Sept 17 - Sept 24, 2005 Oct 1 - Oct 8, 2005 Oct 9 - Oct 16, 2005 Oct 22 - Oct 29, 2005 Nov 12 - Nov 19, 2005 Nov 27 - Dec 4, 2005 Dec 10 - Dec 17, 2005 Dec 24 - Dec 31, 2005 Jan 1 - Jan 8, 2006 Jan 14 - Jan 21, 2006 Jan 19 - Feb 5, 2006 Feb 11 - Feb 18, 2006 Feb 25 - Mar 4, 2006 Mar 12 - Mar 19, 2006 Apr 8 - Apr 15, 2006 Apr 16 - Apr 23, 2006 June 17 - June 24, 2006 June 25 - Jul 2, 2006

Costs

$699.00 USD / $859.00 CAD
$20 Single supplement

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport/Dar es Salaam International Airport/ Nairobi International Airport. You will be met at the airport and transferred to Springlands Hotel/Any other booked Hotel – Moshi.

Day 2 Leave Moshi town about 0900hrs and drive to about 45 minutes to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate such as registrations. Begin hiking at about 1030hrs. Hike through rainforest from the park gate (6000 ft) to Mandara Hut (9000 ft), taking about 4 hours. Stop half way for lunch. Reach Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during early evening, about 7 PM. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings as well as views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Marangu Gate (6000 ft) – Mandara Hut (9,000 ft) Hiking time: 4 hours Habitat: Montane forest

Day 3 Wake to breakfast (approx. 7:30am) and pack for the next leg. Break camp at about 8:30am and hike to Horombo Huts (12,000 ft). This leg should take 5 to 6 hrs. You travel through lower heathland with small shrubs being the main vegetation. Stop half way for lunch. Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive Horombo Huts at about 3 PM. Rest, unpack and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Mandara Hut (9,000 ft) – Horombo Huts (12,000 ft) Hiking time: 6 hours Habitat: Heathland

Day 4 Wake to breakfast as usual (if you wake before sunup you can get some great photos of the sunrise). Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Huts (15,500 ft). The first half of the day’s hike traverses the upper heathland while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The day’s hike should take 6 to 7 hours, stopping half way for lunch. No running water at Kibo Huts.

Horombo Huts (12,000 ft) – Kibo Huts (15,500 ft) Hiking time: 7 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5 Wake at around midnight to a light breakfast, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft) at about 8:30 am. From there you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Huts where you will spend the night. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.

SUMMIT DAY (19,340 ft) Hiking time: 7 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 6 Wake as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Huts. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 2 or 3 PM.

Descending from Horombo to the Marangu Gate

Day 7 Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. Other trips around Moshi and Kilimanjaro region can be arranged at reasonable price.

Extra Day for Acclimatization:
At Horombo Hut you will have full day (second and third night will be at Horombo), clients will go up to Mawenzi base camp and come back to Horombo Hut. Clients will acclimatize, walking and get familiar to the weather and altitude on the mountain. Forth Day will continue trekking up Kibo Hut and midnight start to summit.

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