5 Days - 4 Nights Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Marangu Route
Description
Marangu Route is considered the easiest and shortest route to Kilimanjaro's summit and is known as the 'Coca Cola' or tourist' route. This is the only route on Kilimanjaro with the comforts of solar-powered sleeping huts and comfortable beds at every camp. The huts are communal, and each bunk has a sponge mattress and pillow. There are 60 beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 beds at Horombo Hut. Bathrooms and running water are available at the two lower huts. Basic men's and ladies' latrines are available at the last camp. All climbing groups, often from several countries around the world, share meals in dining huts providing a jovial and energetic atmosphere. Soft drinks, bottled water, and beer may be for sale at the huts. Bring small Tanzanian bills to purchase these items (prices increase with elevation). This route is usually done in 5 days, but you can do it in 6 days for better acclimatization. You can spend your extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a basecamp below Kibo's sub peak Mawenzi.
Tour Photos
Program itinerary
The travel programme comprises the following experiences: climbing steep trails, sleeping in huts, experiencing different types of vegetation and beautiful surroundings like waterfalls, rock formations and craters. Along the way you may encounter monkeys and see various types of beautiful birds.
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Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport
HighlightsArrival at the Kilimanjaro International Airport. Transfer to your Hotel in Moshi for an overnight stay which includes dinner and breakfast.
SummaryIn the hotel you will meet your guide for the next week and he will give you a first briefing for the upcoming climb and together you will verify whether all the necessary climbing materials are present.
Optional: Extra day at the hotel for acclimatization and recovery from the jetlag.
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2
Day 2: Climbing from Marangu Gate to Mandara hut
HighlightsExperience a climbing challenge from 1842.8m to 2699.9m,
Distance: : 8 Km climbing
Time: 4 to 5 hours
Experience various Rainforest vegetations on the way up.
Experience wildlife encounters with different types of birds and Columbus Monkeys
SummaryAfter breakfast and a briefing from your guide, you’ll leave Moshi at 9 AM. After a drive of 45 minutes to the Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro, the guide will register with you for the the national park. At 10:30 AM your Kilimanjaro climb will start. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, various types of birds and Colobus monkeys. In these lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help you during your hike. Shorts and t-shirts should be sufficient for this day, but keep your rain gear and warmer clothing ready. Halfway the hike there will be a stop for lunch. You’ll reach the Mandara Huts around 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest and have some tea or coffee. A 15-minute additional (optional) walk to Maundi Crater is always a good idea to see the magnificent surroundings including the Northern Tanzania and Kenya border. Dinner will be served during the early evening at 7 PM. Bathrooms with running water are available.
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Day 3: Climbing from Mandara Hut to Horombo
HighlightsClimbing Challenge from Altitude 2699.9m to 3720m
Distance : 12km climbing
Time: 6-8 hrs
Experience: Heath land and Moorland
SummaryIn the morning you wake up at 7:30 AM for a delicious nutritious breakfast and afterwards the guide will give you a daily briefing and you start to pack for your next trek. After walking one hour a break will be held around 8:30 AM, followed by a hike for an hour through rainforest glades, then follow an ascending path through heath land where you can look for giant lobelias and groundsels which are typical for this area. Continue up into the open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, where you can enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts by 3 PM where you can see Kibo’s summit. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms with running water are available. You may start to feel the effects of altitude here, and to aid your acclimatisation, you can choose to spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a base camp below Kibo’s sub peak Mawenzi.
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4
Day 4: Climbing from Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut
HighlightsExperience climbing challenge/Altitude from 3720m to 4703
Distance: 10km climbing
Climbing time: 6-8hrs
Habitat: Alpine Desert
SummaryIf you wake up a little bit earlier as usual you will be able to get some great photos of the magnificent sunrise from the point of view from this campsite. In the morning a delicious breakfast will be served as usual. The first part of the day’s hike climbs through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. When you stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that will be starting in just a few hours. Be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness. There is no running water in the Kibo Huts
To avoid altitude sickness it Is advised to take sufficient short breaks to acclimatise to the heights.
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Day 5: Climbing from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
HighlightsClimbing Challenge/Altitude: from 4703m to 5895m,
Climbing Distance: 10km
Climbing Time: 6-8hrs
Reach Gilman’s point on Crater rim
Reaching Africa's Highest point - Uhuru Peak
SummaryThe final climb up. Wake up at midnight for a light breakfast, then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise. Leave at 1 AM, switch back up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 5 and 7 AM. Here, views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you. Another 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the celebrated snows take you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. This is Africa’s highest point, and you would have to travel more than 3,000 miles toward the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Be sure to have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends.
After your summit stay, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things, and re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep!
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Day 6: Descending from Horombo hut to Marangu park gate
HighlightsDescending from 3720m to 1842.8m
Distance: 20km
Time: 5-7hours
Experience Rainforest Vegetation on the way down
SummaryWake up for a delicious breakfast as usual and you’ll pack your bag for the last hike in which you descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. A lunch break will be held and from there you continue your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to the park gate, which you shall reach around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. A driver will take you back to the Hotel in Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration! Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. A trip to the beaches at Zanzibar is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi, Arusha and the Kilimanjaro region
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7
Day 7: Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport
Highlights- Extension to Zanzibar
- Safari extension
- Leisure stay with various day trip excursions
- Cultural tours
We are also pleased to draw up an itinerary that perfectly matches your wishes and requirements.
SummaryDay 7: Transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for
- Flying back home OR
- Extending to Zanzibar Beaches OR
- Safari extension
- Leisure day and day trip excursion
Skill Level Required
Equipment needed
Meals and Drinks
Three course meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), drinking water is available,
Note: For special meals such as Vegetarian meals, gluten-free, food allergies, and anything else, please let us know in advance.
Children Options
Children starting from the age of 12 are allowed to take part.
Transfer Options
Other Services
- Various cultural tours near Moshi before or after the trekking .
- Safari to Tanzania’s major Parks such as Tarangire, Ngorongoro, and Serengeti.
- Day Trips in Moshi – please see this link for available and recommended day trips.
Location
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