Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route(4 Days)
Overview
The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations in lieu of camping. There are 60 bunk beds each at 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. Many favor Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. However the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason.
Included/Exclude
- 2-night accommodation in Moshi town: before the first and the final hiking day ·
- Arrival and departure airport transfers ·
- High-quality 4-season camping equipment ·
- Experienced and professional mountain guides ·
- All park fees and rescue fees
- · All large-portioned, nutritious food and purified drinking water on the mountain
- · Guides, porters and cook salaries
- · Pulse Oximeter for daily health check
- · Crisis management and safety procedures
- · Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- · Beds (for luxury tours)
- International Flights & Visa & Insurance
- Tips to porters and guides
- Meals while in Moshi town
- Items considered to be non-essential, such as alcohol, beverages, cigarettes, snacks, etc.
- Optional Tours (for example, short safaris after your climb or Moshi day tour, etc.)
- Oxygen tanks (included in luxury tours – can be rented in budget and standard tour)
- Portable toilets (included in standard & luxury tours – can be rented in budget tours)
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of ascending, you will reach the Mandara Hut (2700m). Each hut has 6-8 sleeping bunks (sleeps 60 hikers total) with solar generated lighting. Next to the central hut there are flush toilets. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing, so be prepared!
- Elevation: 1980m to 2700m
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Distance: Approximately 8 kilometers
- Habitat: Mountain forest
- Meal: Lunch – Dinner
Following breakfast, you will begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland. We will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m). Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.
- Viewpoint: Horombo Hut itself has a scenic area with views of Kibo and Mawenzi & Mt kilimanjaro
- Elevation: 2700m to 3720m
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 12 kilometers
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meal: Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. After celebrating, you will descend for 7-8 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). You will drive back to moshi town(Hotel)
- Elevation: 3720m to 1980m
- Hiking time: 7-8 hours
- Distance: Approximately 19 kilometers
- Meal: Breakfast – Lunch
Drive back to Nairobi or take aflight to Zanzibar.