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, due to its more gradual slope (Hence high Kilimanjaro Success Rate). It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts with dormitory style accommodation. There are 60 bunk beds at both 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.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Trekking to the highest mountain in Africa
Two night hotel accommodation in Moshi.
Elevetion: 1879m to 2720m, Distance: 8km, Hiking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Montana forest
You will be picked up at your hotel in Moshi and drive to Marangu gate registration(2 hours). Afterwards, you will begin trekking though the rainforest to Mandara hut. Here you will have an acclimatization opportunity of visiting Mound Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara hut.
Elevation: 2720m to 3720m, Distance 11km, Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast you will out climb the rainforest and continue trekking to Horombo hut where you will trek through rolling moorlands and get your fist clear view of towering Kilimanjaro.
Elevation: 3720m to 4720m, Distance: 9km, Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After a good night rest and breakfast you will trek past the last water point to reach Kibo saddle a great desert between the two peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. An early dinner and overnight at Kibo hut.
Elevation: 4720m to 5895m, Down 3720m, Distance: 6km up, 15km down, Time: 6-8 hours up, Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Wake at midnight for a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. Because you will climb to the summit in the dark you will need to have your headlamps/flashlights. It will also be very cold until start descending, so you will need to have all of your warm layers. This is an important time to keep on slowly slowly (pole pole in Swahili). The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru peak shortly before or after sunrise. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks up steep scree or possibly snow, and reaches Gilman’s point on the crater rim at 5685m 4 and 6 a.m. At this point you will have a view of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru peak here you will spend some times for taking photos. After your summit photos and taking in the view, descend back to the Kibo huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment and continue down trough re-cross the saddle to the Horombo huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.
Elevetion: 3720m to 1879m, Distance: 19km, Descending Time: 4-7 hours
After a long sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara huts. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates and you will be served a delicious hot lunch!! After lunch you drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!