5 Days Marangu Route
Simplest of all the routes going
up to Kilimanjaro.
Not highly favoured these times since as it offer very few visibility of this snow caped majestic Kilimanjaro. However the nights are spent in Hut which offers comfortability but not the spirit of adventures. Bathrooms are available with running water.
Kilimanjaro trek - Marangu route or Coca cola route
DAY 1:
Transfer to Marangu Gate (6,000 ft) - Mandara Hut (9,000 ft)
Hiking time: 4 hours, Habitat: Montane forest
Leave Arusha town about 08:30hrs and drive for about 2hrs to Marangu gate on
the eastern edge of Kilimanjaro. Do a minor paperwork at the National Park
gate. Beginning hiking at about 1100hrs. Hike through Montane forest from
the park gate (6,000 ft) to Mandara Hut (9,000 ft), taking about 4hrs with
pick nick at half way. Reach Mandara HUt at about 2PM. Relax at the hut have
some tea or coffee or other sort of the best things from your mountain cook.
Have dinner during early evening, about 7PM.
DAY 2:
Mandara Hut (9,000 ft) - Horombo Hut (12,000 ft)
Hiking time: 7hrs, Habitat: Health land
Horombo Hut (12,000 ft). This hike should take 5 to 6hrs. You hike through
lower health land dominated by small shrubs. Stop half way for lunch. The
view of Mawenzi is spectacular and amazing at this point. The summit of Kibo
is seen from Horombo Huts. Arrival Horombo Huts about 3PM. Unpack and prepare
for dinner.
DAY 3:
Horombo Huts (12,000 ft) - Kibo Huts (15,500 ft)
Hiking time: 7hrs, Habitat: Alpine Desert
Wake up and get breakfast as normally (advised to wake before the sun so to
take great photos of the sunrise). Begin the hike to Kibo Huts (15,500 ft).
The first half the day's hike traverses the Upper health land while the second
half crosses the vast saddle which is and Alpine desert resemble the Lunar
landscape this connects Mawenzi and Kibo. Here is where the altitude sickness
starts, be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The hike will take
6 to 7hrs lunch is half way.
DAY 4:
SUMMIT DAY (19,340 ft)
Hiking time: 7hrs, Habitat: Alpine Desert
After dinner relax and wake up at around midnight for a light breakfast, and
then prepare prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is done
in such early morning before dawn so the hiker can reach Uhuru peak at the
sunrise. Leave at about 1:00AM and reach Gilman's Point on top of the Kilimanjaro
crater rim at about 7:00AM. Here the climb get to see the view of the crater
and glacier while heading to Uhuru peak arriving there one and half hours
later. Another 2hrs of hiking brings the climber back to Kibo Hut for branch
and proceed to the Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.
DAY 5:
Descending from Horombo to the Marangu Gate
Breakfast as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Huts for lunch then proceed
to the park gate where you will be met by our driver transfer back to Arusha
town at the hotel for resting and overnight. You will arrive at the hotel
approximately about 4PM.
END OF THE PROGRAM