marangu route

4 Nights on the Mountain and 2 Nights in Moshi (Arrival and Departure nights)

Overview:

Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. 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 and direct path. Marangu is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations. 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.

The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended. The Marangu route is a classic trek to the top of Kilimanjaro. However, it has the least scenic variety of all routes (ascent and descent are done on the same path) and is the most crowded for that reason.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival Moshi

Afternoon/Evening transfer (1½ hours) to Moshi for dinner and overnight at base Hotel in Standard room BB (or similar)

Day 2 – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara Hut (2715m)

After breakfast and a short tour briefing from the guide, you will depart with packed lunch to Marangu gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (it is a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the Marangu Gate). Upon registering with park authorities, our climb will officially commence with a four-hour walk to the Mandara encampment. We will pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. We will spend the night at Mandara Hut (2,750m), an attractive collection of buildings. Bathrooms are available with running water

Day 3 Mandara Hut (2715m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)

Today we will continue our ascent through the forest for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3,000m (approximately a six-hour walk). Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. We will spend the night at Horombo Hut (3,720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 4 Horombo Hut (3705m) – Kibo Hut (4730m)

Our trek continues past the final watering point, and ascends onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro, between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as we enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4,000m) and, once we cross the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. This seven-hour walk will be taken at a slow pace. We will spend the night at Kibo Hut (4,703m), a comfortable stone construction (no running water at Kibo Hut). This semi-desert zone receives an annual rainfall of under 250mm; the ground often freezes at night, but ground temperatures soar to above 30 degrees Celsius by day. Few plants other than lichens and grasses survive in these conditions.

Day 5 Kibo Hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3705m)

Shortly after midnight, we will commence our climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman’s Point (5,861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen and an early start for the six-hour hike improves our chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman’s Point, it is a further two-hour round trip along the crater’s edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From the summit, it is downhill all the way to Horombo Hut where we will spend our last night on the mountain.

Day 6 Horombo Hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Marangu Village

Today’s descent continues past the Mandara escarpment to the bottom of the mountain, where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. From here, you will be transferred to a Base Hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight at your hotel in Standard room BB

Day 7 Moshi – JRO departure

After breakfast, transfer back to Arusha town or Kilimanjaro Airport. End of our services

End of Trip

WISHING YOU AN EXCELLENT TRIP

Trekking Inclusions

  • Guiding Fee
  • Transport during the trip
  • Drinking Water
  • Hiking and safety equipment
  • Permit and Entrace Fees
  • Group Porters (transport of tents, cooking equipments etc for the group)
  • Accomodation
  • Air Port Transfers

Trekking Exclusions

  • International Flights ( From / To Home )
  • Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
  • Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
  • Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
  • Alcohol Drinks
  • Rescue Fee
  • Climbing Gear

NOTES

• The passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the date of departure.

• Above is just a quote and no services are confirmed at present.

• Confirmation of Hotels and other services is subject to availability.

• Rates are subject to availability at the time of booking.

PASSENGER INFORMATION

• In case of non-availability, we may have to reroute and provide alternative accommodation at lodges of similar category.

• Passengers should bring only soft sided bags on safaris as our vehicles have limited luggage space

• All the passengers must have Identification Card/Passport with them throughout their travel.

About LAPWINGS

Arusha,Tanzania - East Africa

Phone: +255 786 621 111

Email: info@lapwings.co.tz

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