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MARANGU ROUTE
lMOUNTAIN MENUlCLIMBING
l
EQUIPMENT
MOUNTAIN INFO
Total hiking
distance: About 96 km's
(Excluding any
acclimatisation hikes on day 3)
Affectionately
known as the "Coca-Cola route", Marangu is by far the most popular
route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result
of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more
so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in
5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier than on the
Machame route. This is not always the best way due to a shorter
acclimatisation period. The Marangu route does however offer you the
option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain.
This extends the route to a 6-day march, greatly increasing your
chances of success. Hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one
of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you
the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire
route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also
sold at all the camps on this route. All your equipment and supplies
are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.
6 Days/5 Nights - Itinerary for the Marangu route
(For the 5-day route, simply exclude the additional
acclimatisation day at Horombo hut - day 3 on the itinerary below).
Day 1: Marangu
Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m).
Hiking time: 5
hours.
Distance:
About 12 km's.
Habitat:
Montane forest.
The drive from
Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 2hrs. In
Moshi the journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is
located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park
gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park's office and
make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen
arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water,
cooking
gas as well as most of your
equipment.
Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least
drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the
porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be
available to assist with any additional information or needs you
might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared
ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist
and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of
Kilimanjaro's animals are found. (An alternative and more scenic
parallel forest trail, branches off to the left a few minutes after
the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the
undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail
either, after 1½ hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.) Your first
night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a
forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar
generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers.
Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush
toilets behind the main hut.
Day 2: Mandara
hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m).
Hiking time: 6
hours.
Distance:
About 15 km's.
Habitat:
Moorland.
From Mandara
hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts
the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition
from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to
scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really
impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will
glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the
morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the
chance to see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the
endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant
groundsel (Senecia kilimanjari), which can reach heights of
5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where
you will have hot washing water, rest; an
evening
meal and overnight.
Day 3: Horombo
hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day.
Horombo hut is
a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar
to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! 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 is for
additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, 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 acclimatisation. 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.
Day 4: Horombo
hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
Hiking time: 6
hours.
Distance:
About 15 km's.
Habitat:
Alpine desert.
After
breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert
habitat. 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 upper route (right hand fork) will be very
familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day
towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. 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 (unless
you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). 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. It
is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp
office. 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 19h00 and try to
get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Day 5: SUMMIT
ATTEMPT, Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut
(3720m).
Hiking time: 8
hours to Uhuru - 6 hours to descend to Horombo.
Distance: 6
km's ascent - 21 km's descent.
Habitat: Stone
scree and ice-capped summit.
You will rise
around 23h30, 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 (5 681m), 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. 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. Total exhilaration
and satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit
will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking
photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a
short rest you gather all your gear 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 14 hours,
so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the
evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for
sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep,
filled with memories and stirring emotions..
Day 6: Horombo
hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m).
Hiking time: 6
hours.
Distance:
About 27 km's.
After
breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara
hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate you sign your name
and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers
receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached
Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those
who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now
drive back to Arusha for a long over due hot shower, dinner and
celebrations!!
RONGAI ROUTEl MACHAMEl
UMBWEl LEMOSHOl
MARANGUl SHIRAl
