5 DAYS MOUNT KILIMANJARO MARANGU ROUTE

Marangu Route is Popularly Known as the "Coca-Cola" route. Many people prefer the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations, While on this trek you have 5 days on the Mountain and two Nights in arusha hotel that makes its a total of 7 days including traveling days to and from Tanzania. Please note the safari can start from Either Arusha or Kenya.

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m)
Elevation : 1700m to 2740m
Walking Time:4-5 hours
Distance: 7-8kms
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (approx. 1hr 45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara hut located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Columbus monkeys.

Day 2: Mandara hut (2715m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Elevation: 2700m to 3700m
Distance: 11 km
Walking time: 6-8 hours
Habitat:Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short tour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will be seen in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.
Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours trek from here, you reach the Horombo hut, rest; an evening meal and overnight.

Day 3: Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
Elevation:3700m to 4700m
Distance:9-10 km
Walking time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast you continue ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) should be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day (on your acclimatisation hike) towards Mawenzi hut. This section is very stony and eroded Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut.
The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment.

Day 4: Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Elevation: 4700m to 5895m to 3700m
Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down
Walking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit.
Wake up at around 23:30, and take a cup of tea and biscuits and set off for the summit. This section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak ( Summit 5895m), the highest point in Africa. Later after 3 hrs descent back to Kibo hut for breakfast. After a short rest you ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hrs) for your overnight. Then return to Horombo hut.

Day 5: Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
After breakfast you will pack and proceed out of the mountain (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate where you sign your summit certificate of achievements accordingly. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You will be picked from Marangu village and drive back to Arusha for overnight.

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