6 Days Kili Marangu Route - Supreme Tanzania Safaris

The Marangu or (Coca-Cola) Route is the most popular route to trek up Kilimanjaro, and thus its name. It’s a well-travelled path through the rain forest at Marangu Village, into the heath and moorland, and then into the alpine desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, and on to the crater rim at Gillman’s Point, which only half of all trekkers actually reach.

1DAY 1 MARANGU GATE (5,900ft./1,800m) ~ MANDARA HUT (8,860 ft./2,700 m)

Departure from Arusha at 8am driving about 2 hours to Marangu village. Once you arrive at the gate, and after completion of administrative formalities and meeting with your porters and guides, begin the 4 to 5 hour walk to Mandara Hut. The walk is at a leisurely pace through a dense and humid forest to the hut. If you feel up to it at day’s end, walk to the nearby Maundi crater for a long view over the plains & Lake Jipe, and in the distance; the Pare and Usambara mountains. The night is spent inside one of the huts.

2DAY 2 MANDARA HUT ~ HOROMBO HUT (12,200 ft./ 3,720 m)

After about 45 minutes in the forest, you will suddenly arrive upon an area of high grasses of the heather belt, which as the trek continues, becomes increasingly desert-like, into the moorland. About 5 to 6 hours of walking brings you to Horombo Hut, and a stunning view of Mawenzi Peak. Night will be spent in one of the huts.

3DAY 3 HOROMBO HUT ~ ACCLIMITIZATION DAY

This extra day is taken at Horombo Hut to help your body’s acclimatization, and also to witness the beautiful scenery. There is a trek to the base of Mawenzi, at nearly 15,000 feet (4,600 m), along the way passing Zebra Rock, and the striking landscape of the moorland zone.

4DAY 4 HOROMBO HUT ~ KIBO HUT (15,430 ft./ 4,703 m)

The day’s trekking will be about 6 to 7 hours. You will trek across the exposed, barren alpine desert of the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi. The last fresh water point is at 14,100 ft. (4,300 mt.), where it will be necessary to fill your water bottles. The porters will carry the rest of the water required for food and hot beverages. The saddle crossing is impressive and the landscape spectacular. Night spent at Kibo Hut.

5DAY 5 KIBO HUT ~ UHURU PEAK (19,340 ft./ 5,895 m) ~ HOROMBO HUT (12,200 ft./ 3,720 m)

You will be woken early with a steaming cup of coffee or tea, and the departure will be between 12:30 to 1am. The temperatures range from just below freezing at midnight, to between 10 deg. F (-12 deg. C) to –10 F. (-23 deg. C) just before dawn at Gillman’s point, at about 18,652 ft. (5,685 m) on the crater rim. The winding scree path of endless switchbacks will carry you through the night, and at dawn the spires of Mawenzi will be silhouetted against the red glow of the sun from beneath the clouds. After about 6 hours of walking, you will come to the edge of the crater, near the Ratzel Glacier. Once reaching Gillman’s Point, summon your strength for another 1.5 hour trek over a gentle slope around the edge of the crater rim to the high point; Uhuru Peak, at 19,340 ft. (5,895 m). After a short time at the summit, descend the steep scree trail back to Kibo Hut for some rest, then descend further to Horombo Hut for the night.

6DAY 6 HOROMBO HUT ~ MARANGU GATE (5,900 ft./ 1,800 m) ~ ARUSHA

Descend straight to the gate of Marangu, which will take about 6 hours of walking. On arrival at the gate you will have lunch, and then will be transferred to Arusha. Transfer back to Arusha for a much-welcome shower!

Accomodation

Early Morning breakfast, pick up from your hotel in Dar es Salaam Early Morning breakfast, pick up from your hotel in Dar es Salaam

PACKAGE IS INCLUSIVE OF:

National Park gate fees

Transport from Moshi to starting point on mountain and return to Moshi

Hut / camping fees and tents.

Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides

Porters’ salaries

Rescue fees (required by the national park)

All meals on the mountain

One nights’ accommodation in Moshi on bed and breakfast, single,double or triple occupancy

Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils

Oximeters are available upon request.

Full board Accommodation on safari

Unlimited Mineral water during safari

Daily safari briefing (to keep you aware and help to be prepared for the next day climb)

Transfer to/ from Airport

PACKAGE IS EXCLUSIVE OF:

Visas

Comprehensive Travel Insurance (including mountain climbing cover)

International & local flights

All items of personal nature (laundry, drinks etc)

Tips for guides and porters

Mountain equipment (e.g. sleeping bags)