5 Days Marangu Route
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- 5 Days Marangu Route
Route Overview & Introduction
Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well-established route. Many favour the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations.
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 when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.
However, despite its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Marangu is favoured only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
- Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the affects of the altitude.
- Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 12km/7.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Heathland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
- Distance: 9km/5.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: Breakfast
INCLUDED
- Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
- 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi in FULL BOARD (FB).
- Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
- Park entry fees,
- Camping fees
- Crater fee (if any)
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- mountain tents
- Double layered Sleeping Mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
- Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
- Hot water for washing
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Government taxes
- Portable oxygen tanks
- Ox meter
- Emergency first-aid kit
- Stethoscope
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent
- Mountain climbing certificates
EXCLUDED
- Drinks at your hotel before and after the climb.
- Travel Insurance
- Flights
- Laundry (Available at the hotel)
- Personal items and toiletries
- Tips for guides, porters and cook
Preparing for the epic journey to the summit of Kilimanjaro requires careful consideration and strategic packing. As you gear up for this unparalleled adventure with Love Africa Tours, we’ve compiled a comprehensive Kilimanjaro packing list to ensure you’re well-equipped for the trek of a lifetime.
Gear List
- Top Base Layer
- Bottom Base Layer
- 4-5 Pairs of Underwear
- 3-4 Short Sleeve
- 1 Insulated Trekking Pants
- 1-2 Long Sleeve Hiking Shirts
- 1-2 Pairs of Hiking Trousers
- 1 Insulated Winter Jacket
- 1 Polartec Fleece Jacket
- 1 Hard Shell Jacket
Clothing
- Quick dry T-shirts
- Underwear Lightweight hiking trouser (avoid heavy cotton, they don’t dry quickly)
- Fleece (middle layer)
- Thermal underwear (under layers)
- Waterproof, breathable and windproof jacket
- Waterproof, breathable and windproof pants
- Insulated down jacket for summit night (parka)
- One pair thermal socks
- Mittens or warm gloves
- Waterproof gloves
- Good quality hiking socks and thin liner socks Waterproof hiking boots – sturdy and worn-in.
- Extra shoelaces
- Comfortable shoes for overnight camps (running shoes, sneakers, etc.)
- Sun hat to protect head, ears and neck
Other Items
- Headlamp with Extra Batteries
- Water Bottles and Camelback (3 litter carrying capacity)
- Sunglasses
- Camera with extra memory card and extra batteries
- Watch
- Playing Cards
- Hand Warmers (optional)
- Pocket Knife
- Notebook and Pen
- High energy snack (Cereal, protein bars, chocolate, trail mix, dried fruit)
Toiletry & Medicine
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Quick-dry washcloths and soap
- Toilet Paper Tissues
- High SPF Sun-block
- Lip Balm with SPF
- Sunglasses with UV-filter lenses
- Lotion
- Sanitary Wipes/Wet Wipes
- Blister Kit
- Tweezers
- Nail Clippers
- Deodorant
- Hair brush/Comb
- Sanitary Products
- Vaseline to prevent chafing skin and heel friction blister
- Antiseptic
- Pain Killers (Ibuprofen)
- Decongestan
- Diamox or High Altitude Medication (optional, please consult with your doctor)
- Anti-diarrhea Medicine
- Malaria pills ( if you choose to take these)
- Cold/Flu Tablets
- Any medication you normally use
- Dioralyte sachets or similar rehydration packs
- Throat Lozenge
- Eye drops (spare Contact Lenses and fluid, if worn)
- Water purification tablets / Iodine drops
- Ear Plugs
- Plastic bags (for dirty washing, wrapping, etc.)
