MOUNT KILIMANJARO MARANGU ROUTE 5 DAYS
OVERVIEW
The Marangu Route, also known as the �Coca-Cola� route, is the oldest, most well-established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodation in place of camping. There are bunk beds at each 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 descent is along the same path.
Reveal Kilimanjaro Tours offers Marangu as a five or six-day private climb. The five-day variation does not have an acclimatization day on day three at Horombo Hut.
ARRIVAL & BRIEFING
The road transfer from the Kilimanjaro International Airport to your lodge will take about 1 hour, so sit back and enjoy the ride through the city's sub-urban arriving at your lodge for a well-deserved overnight.
On this day before the beginning of your Kilimanjaro experience, our guide will do a briefing during which a gear check shall be made. These essential steps will assure security for all, and increase significantly the level of success. The previously completed and submitted medical forms shall be reviewed together. Do not hesitate to inquire for further information. You shall be introduced as well to your trekking mates during the briefing.
Night at Salinero Hotel and Breakfast.
Trek Days note:
a. The hiking times given for each day do not include breaks.
b. Altitudes gained relate to the altitude difference between camps. It does not reflect the meters we ascend each day to support, acclimatization we will be going up and down and spending several nights at a roughly similar altitude.
TREK DAY 1
MARANGU GATE (1840 M) to MANDARA HUT (2675 M)
After your start at Marangu Gate, you will go through the dense rainforest on the eastern side of the mountain. Ferns, lianas, orchids, and other exotic plants line the path. Fallen tree trunks are overgrown with moss. You will reach the Mandara Hut after 3-4 hours. If you still feel like it, you can take a short to the Maundi crater (approx. 20 minutes). From there, you have a nice view of Mawenzi Peak.
� Distance: 8 km
� Hiking time: 3-4 hours
� Habitat: Rainforest � Altitude gained: 800 M
TREK DAY 2 MANDARA TO HOROMBO
The first part of the path today continues through the lichen-covered jungle. At the border of the jungle, you come to a large flower meadow, which blooms beautifully depending on the season. When the weather is good, you have a wonderful view of the jagged Mawenzi summit from here. Just before you finally reach Horombo Hut, you will see the unique Giant Senecia and Lobelia. Some of the Senecia are hundreds of years old.
� Distance:11 km
� Hiking time: 5 hours
� Habitat: Moorland
� Altitude gained: 1100 M
TREK DAY 3
HOROMBO HUT (3725 M) to KIBO HUT( 4700 M)
Today you walk through moorland and desert wastelands toward the summit. The first part of today's stage is relatively steep, but the landscape is still interesting. The second part is a bit flatter, but there is no vegetation here. There is a good view of the two peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. After 5/6 hours of walking, you will reach the highest hut on the tour, the Kibo hut.
� Distance: 9.5 Km
� Hiking time: 5-6 hours
� Habitat: Alpine desert
� Altitude gained: 1000 M
TREK DAY 4
KIBO HUT (4700 M) to UHURU PEAK (5895 M) to HOROMBO HUT (3725 M)
After a short rest in bed, you start towards the summit shortly before midnight. The path leads steeply uphill in serpentines. You are not alone tonight as many other groups will also attempt to reach the summit. Depending on your condition, you will reach Gillman's point in time for the beautiful sunrise over the Mawenzi summit. With Gilman's Point, you have reached the edge of the crater. From here it is only a walk to the summit. The path climbs gently uphill along the edge of the crater. But if you are exhausted, you can also turn around here and get a certificate of successful ascent of Kilimanjaro. However, you will only see the last ice fields on Africa's highest � If you hike further to Uhuru Peak. The summit is marked by a flagged iron pole, a plaque with the Declaration of Freedom from Tanzania, and a box for the summit book. After an extensive photo session and the relief of having reached the goal, you descend the same way to the Kibo Hut. There you will have time for a rest and a fortifying meal before continuing downhill to Horombo Hut.
� Distance: 22 Km
� Hiking time: 12-15 hours
� Habitat: Arctic Summit (Icecap), Alpine, and Heath and Moorland Zone
� Altitude gained: 1200 M
TREK DAY 5
HOROMBO HUT (3720 M ) to MARANGU GATE (1840 M)
You already know the route in the opposite direction. Today you will descend to the Mandara Hut in the morning, where you will have an extended lunch break. Then you hike back to the starting point of your Kilimanjaro climb: the Marangu Gate. ?
� Distance: 20.75 Km
� Hiking time: 6-7hours
� Habitat: Rainforest
� Altitude lost: 1816 m
Departure day
Today you will be picked up from your accommodation and taken to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight or, if you have decided to extend your stay in Tanzania with a wildlife Safari, begin the next part of your journey.
The climb cost includes:
� Government taxes
� Fair wages for the Mountain Crew as stipulated by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
� 4-season mountains tents
� 18% VAT on tour fees & services
� Park entry fees
� Camping fees
� Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
� 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi/ Arusha (FB) Full Board.
� Private transport from the airport (JRO) to your accommodation in Arusha/Moshi and back.
� Double-layered sleeping mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
� Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook, and porters
� 3 meals daily during the trek
� Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
� Hot water for washing
� Portable oxygen tank- oxy-meter emergency first aid
� Portable flush toilet tent
� Kilimanjaro Summit Certificate!
The climb cost excludes:
� Drinks at your hotel before and after
� Tips for guides, porters and cook (consider . . . per person per day, to be paid in US Dollars or Euros)
� Travel insurance