Mighty Kilimanjaro Marangu Rt.

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s the highest free-standing mountain in the world (5,895 metres, 19, 341 ft), also known as “The Roof of Africa”. The vegetation and landscapes are amazing ranging from lush green rain forests to, wide expanse of moorlands, to alpine deserts to glaciers and snow-capped summit. Climbing Kilimanjaro is an unforgettable adventure. “Never measure the height of a mountain until you have reached the top. Then you will see how low it was.” (Dag Hammarskjold)

The Marangu route is also known as the Coca- Cola route. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and is is favored only during the rainy season, because of the huts and dormitory style accommodations. This route is usually done in 5 days, but you can do it in 6 days for better acclimatization. You can spend the extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a base camp below Kibo’s sub peak Mawenzi.

Mighty Kilimanjaro Marangu Rt. Itinerary

Fly into JRO airport, met on arrival and transferred to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay. Depending on the arrival time, you’ll be briefed about the program either today or next morning. (D)
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft | Distance: 8 km/5 miles | Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Rain Forest. Your hike through rainforest from the park gate at 6,000 feet to the Mandara Huts at 9,000 feet will take about 4 hours. Stop halfway for lunch, and reach the Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest, and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during the early evening. A 15 minute side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings as well as views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania.
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft | Distance: 12 km/7 miles | Hiking Time: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Moorland. After breakfast hike to the Horombo Huts at 12,000 feet. You travel through heath land where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, where you can enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts in the evening where you can see Kibo’s summit. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner.
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft | Distance: 10 km/6 miles | Hiking Time: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Alpine Desert. Wake to breakfast as usual, but if you wake early you can get some great photos of the sunrise. 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 recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour 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. Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!! 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. 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 18h00 to 19h00 and try to get as much sleep as possible.
Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft | Distance: 6 km/4 miles | Hiking Time: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Stone Scree, Ice capped summit. Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft | Distance: 16 km/10 miles | Hiking Time: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Moorland. You will rise around midnight, 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 (5681m), 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. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. After a short rest you gather all your gear that 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 13 - 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day.
Descend from Horombo (3720m) to the Marangu Gate (1920m) Hiking time 5-6 hours/ Distance: About 18 km After breakfast you will descend to the Mandara Huts ( At times your guide will advise you to spend the previous night at Mandara hut instead of Horombo hut for your last night) .Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where your transport back to lodge will meet you after hiking to the roof of Africa! At Lodge you will have hot water showers and thereafter it will be time to celebrate with your guides and porters. Kilimanjaro beer and barbecue will be a good way to celebrate your success of being to the highest point in Africa. The guides will also sing for you and the jovial mood of the evening will make your trip worth remembering! Extra Day for Acclimatization: Horombo Hut (3720) You can add an extra day at the Horombo Huts at 12,000 feet.. Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau. Horombo Hut is normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo are for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi-Saddle, 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 acclimatization. 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.

Activities

Trek to the Summit.

What’s Included

Transport from Kilimanjaro International Airport.
All the Kilimanjaro National Park fees.
The hut fees.
All the food that will be used on the mountain.
Fees for our well trained, experienced, charming English-speaking guides.
Honest and hardworking porters.
All the cooking utensils and other equipment used on the mountain.
Transport from Kilimanjaro National Park gate to Kilimanjaro any hotel.
Transfer to Tarakea/Loitoktok , Kilimanjaro International Airport or Moshi or Arusha.

Things to Carry

Duffel bag or backpack that the porters can carry is limited to 15 kg (35 pounds).
Store electronics & clothing in sealed water-proof bags.
In the day pack, take along water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants, jacket at a minimum and other essential.
Clothing: inner layer to be wicking (no cotton), next layer insulating & warm and top layer water proof but breathable.
Clothing: Shorts, Khakis, t-shirts, long underwear, fleece jacket, wool sweater, fleece pants, down jacket, rain jacket & pants.
Clothing: Sport bras (women), Mittens and gloves, Wool or pile hat, balaclava, hand & foot warmer.
Shoes: Trekking shoes for hiking day, warm, waterproof, and with ankle-support. Tennis shoes for evening.
Sleeping bag (Rated -25 degrees C/-10 degrees F or colder is recommended),
Sunscreen, a sun hat, a breathable lightweight rain poncho or parka with a rain hat.
Water bottles and Camelback (2-3). Get 3 liters of water before the trip. En-route, guides will boil water for you.
Water filter or iodine purification tablets.
First Aid Kit: including anti-diarrhea medicine, re-hydration sachets, aspirin, cold medication, antiseptic cream, band-aids, mo
Notebook, journal, pencil, pen, pocket knife, electricity adapter, energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods.
Playing cards, games, books, kite for recreational activities.