6 Days Trek – Marangu Route

SUMMARY :

Marangu Route is one of the oldest and most preferred routes on Kilimanjaro. It is the easiest path on the mountain due to its gradual slope and direct path.

It is the only route on Kilimanjaro as it has hut accommodations for the hikers making it popular among the tourists. Marangu Route is therefore also known as “tourist route”.

Marangu Route has three hut accommodations: Mandara Huts, Kibo Huts, and Horombo Hut. These hut accommodations provide bunk beds. There are 60 bunks beds each at Mandara huts, Kibo huts, however, there are 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.

The success rate is comparative low on this route. Sadly, the route has less striking view than the other routes on Kilimanjaro.

The route is crowded with tourists, due to which professional trekkers don’t take this route.

ROUTE MAP :

Package Includes:

Park fees, camping fees & Rescue fees

All Taxes/VAT

Double layered Sleeping Mats

4 Season big sleeping mountain tents

Transportation to & from the mountain gate

3 meals daily while on the mountain

Filtered water throughout the trek

Hot Water For Wash

Portable toilets and toilets tents.

Professional mountain guides and porters

Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)

Does not Include:

International flights (from/to home)

Tips to mountain crew

Travel insurance and medical repatriation

Services not mentioned in the program

Items of a personal nature

Tipping Recommendation:
( for group sharing)

Guide $15 – $20/guide/day

Cook $10 – $15/day

Porters $8 – $10/porter/day.

ITINERARY :

Day 1 : Marangu Gate (1860m) to Mandara Hut (2700m)

Mandara Hut
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.

Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2 : Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Horombo Hut
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.

Distance covered: 12.5km / 7.8mi
Approx. time taken: 9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3 : Acclimatization trek to Zebra Rocks (4020m) then back to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Horombo Hut
Today serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and greatly improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, a 4 hour trek follows to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day.

Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4 : Horombo Hut (3700m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

Kibo Huts
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.

Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5 : Kibo Hut (4700m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) & down to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Uhuru Peak
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx. time taken: 12hours – 15hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6 : Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

Marangu Gate
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.

Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Approx. time taken: 3 hours
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast