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| Affectionately known as the "Coca-Cola route", Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Completed by thousands of hikers each year , the Marangu has shown to be the route preferred by more people than the Machame. |
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This could partly be as a
result that the Marangu is the least expensive, but more so, perhaps
the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu in 5 days, thereby getting
to the summit one day earlier than on the Machame. This is not always
the best way due to very little time for acclimatisation. The Marangu
also gives you the option of spending an extra day on the mountain.
This extends the route to a 6 day march, greatly increasing your chances
of success. Accommodation on the Marangu route forms the main difference
with other routes, as here you have the relative luxury of being able
to sleep in huts along the entire route.
Itinerary for the Marangu 6 day route: (* For the 5 day route, simply exclude the additional day given at Horombo Hut, day 3 on the itinerary below.) Day 1: (About 5 hours walk) The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. 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 register their names at the park office and make the final preparations for the commencement of the climb. Porters will be seen arranging their packs, containing the food, water, firewood and other equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items with you as the porters travel very quickly. The guides will be pleased to assist with any additional information, prior to the climb. You now leave the park gate and walk through the rain forest on a winding trail to Mandara hut which is located on the upper rim of the forest. Rest frequently and enjoy your lunch on route. This part of the climb takes about 5 hours. Mandara is at an altitude of (2 700m). Here you stop for dinner and overnight. Day 2: (About 7 hours walk) After breakfast you leave the glades of the rain forest and continue on an ascending path into the open moorland. (Tip: For your first really impressive view of Kibo crater, take an early detour of around 20 minutes past Naundi crater and climb up to its rim. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers.) After about 5 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you have lunch, rest, enjoy an evening meal and overnight. Horombo hut is located at an altitude of 3 700m. Day 3: This extra day and night at Horombo enables the climber to adjust to high altitude. A walk towards the peak of Mawenzi is recommended as physical exercise assists greatly with the process of acclimatisation. All meals are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and sleep as much as possible. Another tip : The hike on this day sees you climb up to Mawenzi hut, a small steel hut big enough for about 8 people to sit in and rest. There is a patch of grass higher up the slope to the east from where you have the most impressive view of Kibo and the saddle. Take note not to drink from the water here as the area is used for grazing by herds of Eland and other game. Day 4: (About 6 hours walk) Having eaten breakfast you now continue our ascent through the moorland, eventually passing the last watering point. We now come to the saddle of Kilimanjaro which is located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Arriving at Kibo hut which is located at an altitude of 4 700m. This part of the climb takes about 6 hours. There is an upper and lower route to choose from. The upper route will be very familiar as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi. The lower route is around an hour shorter than the upper route. After lunch is served, enjoy a good rest. Dinner and then more rest. Resting now is extremely important. Day 5: (Kibo Hut to Gillman's Point ~ 6 hours walk, Gillman's Point to Uhuru Peak - 1,5 hours walk) Around midnight you begin the ascent to the summit on steep and heavy scree. The path zigzags up to Gillman's point which is located on the crater rim. Here we have reached an altitude of 5 681m. Climbing very slowly, (quite a tough walk at altitude) you continue the ascent to Uhuru peak. This is the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro (5 895m) and the highest point in Africa. From the summit you now descend, continuing first to Kibo hut for a short rest and then straight down to Horombo hut for lunch and a good rest. 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 on the mountain and a well earned rest. Day 6: (About 5 hours walk) After breakfast you continue the descent, passing the Mandara hut, down to the park gate. Here you sign your name and details in the register. This is also where successful climbers receive their certificates for having made it to the top of Kilimanjaro. You now drive back to Moshi for overnight & a celebration dinner. (The Marangu route is most popular of all the routes, with the result that is almost inevitably busy. For those wanting a more natural and scenic experience, we would recommend the Machame route). Visit our Kilimanjaro site for our complete and dedicated guide to climbing Kilimanjaro. |
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All
expeditions must be lead by certified guides, registered by the Kilimanjaro
National Parks Board. Becoming a guide on Kilimanjaro brings with it
some prestige and respect. Keep in mind that your guide will have been
a porter for around 3 years after which he would have been an assistant
guide for another year or 2. Only then may he qualify to become a registered
guide.
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