MT. KILIMANJARO

KILIMANJARO HIKING - MARANGU ROUTE ITINERARY

INFO
The Marangu Route is also known as the "Coca Cola" or "Easy" route. It is the easiest and shortest route to the summit. This is also the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every camp site with solar lights and comfortable beds. The huts are communal, and the bunks have 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. Mens' and ladies' latrines are available at the last camp but are very basic.

All groups, often from different 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. The Marangu Route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain. This extends the route to 6 days hike, greatly increase your chance of success. The extra day can be spent resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.

ARRIVAL DAY Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, meet and great then transfer to your hotel dinner and overnight at the hotel.
TRANSFER: KILIMANJARO AIRPORT / HOTEL
MEAL PLAN: BB
ACCOMMODATION: STANDARD HOTEL

DAY 1: Marangu Gate (6000 ft) – Mandara Hut (9,000 ft)
Hiking time: 4 hours
Habitat: Mountain forest
Leave Marangu Hotel Kilimanjaro about 0900hrs and drive to about 20 minutes to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate such as registrations. Begin hiking at about 1030hrs. Hike through rainforest from the park gate (6000 ft) to Mandara Hut (9000 ft), taking about 4 hours. Stop half way for lunch. Reach Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during early evening, about 7 PM. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings as well as views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.

DAY 2: Mandara Hut (9,000 ft) – Horombo Huts (12,000 ft)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Wake to breakfast (approx. 7:30am) and pack for the next leg. Break camp at about 8:30am and hike to Horombo Huts (12,000 ft). This leg should take 5 to 6 hrs. You travel through lower heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. Stop half way for lunch. Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive Horombo Huts at about 3 PM. Rest, unpack and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.

DAY 3: Extra Day for Acclimatization
Extra day will be at Horombo Hut you will have full day (second and third night will be at Horombo); clients will go up to mawenzi base camp and come back to Horombo Hut. Clients will acclimatize; walking and get familiar to the weather and altitude on the mountain. Forth day will continue trekking up kibo Hut and Midnight start to summit

DAY 4: Horombo Huts (12,000 ft) – Kibo Huts (15,500 ft)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Wake to breakfast as usual (if you wake before sunup you can get some great photos of the sunrise). Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Huts (15,500 ft). The first half of the day's hike traverses the upper heath land while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The day's hike should take 6 to 7 hours, stopping half way for lunch. No running water at Kibo Huts.

DAY 5: SUMMIT DAY (19,340 ft)
Hiking time: 7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Wake at around midnight to a light breakfast, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach Gilman's Point at about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman's Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft) at about 8:30 am. From there you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Huts where you will spend the night. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.

DAY 6: Descending from Horombo to the Marangu Gate
Wake as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Huts. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to your Hotel. You should reach the park gate around 12.00hours then drive to Moshi to your hotel dinner and overnight. MEAL PLAN: BB
ACCOMODATION: STANDARD HOTEL
Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It's time for celebration

DEPARTURE DAY: After breakfast check out from the Hotel then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport
TRANSFER: HOTEL TO AIRPORT
PRICE: PER PERSON SHARING IN GIVEN PAX IN US $

Price includes:
All park entry fees, All camping/hut fees, Guide and porters fees, Transport to and from the mountain gates, Meals 3 times daily, cook and all kitchen facilities

Prices does not include items International Flights, Hard and soft drinks and Tips, and all mountain Gears. (We can arrange to hire this)

Note: We recommend that you leave your valuables and your tip money in a safe deposit box at the hotel in Moshi.