Marangu route is arguably the most common Kilimanjaro ascent. This is a relatively easy 5 – 6 days trip Kilimanjaro climb.Marangu Route is also the oldest Route and most popular, at one time the route was drawing over 80% of trekkers on Kilimanjaro, and it also came to be known as Coca – Cola route.m where the final summit bid is undertaken via the Normal/Marangu Route.
On Marangu route, you descend this route by retracting your steps. This is the only route on Mt. Kilimanjaro that all overnight stops are in purpose built huts. Since this is the shortest and cheapest route on the mountain, it is frequently very busy leading to the facilities along the trail sometimes becoming stretched. It is always recommended that you pay and book in advance to secure yourself a room if you plan to use this route.
Marangu route approaches the Mountain from the south, passing to the south of Mawenzi before it crosses to the desolate Saddle of heading to Kibo Hut. The Summit ascent on this route is then conducted via the Normal Marngu Route on an arduous scree slope that culminates in the arrival at Gilman Point on the crater rim. This route can done in 5 days and as a result it has a surprisingly low success rate for getting trekkers to the top compared to the other routes. To improve your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, it is advissabletry to factor in an extra day for acclimatization purposes. This extra day for acclimatization is spent at Horombo Hut from where you can enjoy a number of fascinating side trips to explore various features of the Mountain.
JRO – Kilimanjaro International Airport
Today you will be Picked up your hotel in Arusha at 8.00 am drive to Moshi then on the Marangu gate. After registration formalities, this is the set of point for your three hour hike to Mandara Hut in which you cover 9 km. Here, the altitude is at 2,774m above sea. Overnight Mandara Hut.
After breakfast, start your trek, that will take you to Horombo Hut. Trekking time is about 8 hours, however you will your lunch en route. In clear weather Mawenzi and Kibo peaks can be seen. Dinner and overnight at the hut, 3,761m.
You will spend a second night at Horombo. This is an extra day which has been added to improve your chances of reaching the peak which is your ultimate goal. The entire day will be spent here acclimatizing, in the morning trek up for about 3 hours, then start descending to arrive at your base in time for lunch, after lunch relax, spend rest of the day relaxing, in the evening have a small walk along the valley, return to the Banda for dinner and overnight.
After breakfast, you have a long hike, that is 13 km to Kibo hut at an elevation of 4,732 m above sea level in an average hiking time of 6 hours. You will now get a chance to encounter spectacular mountain vegetation like Lobelia, giant cactus and groundsel.
This is the day you have been waiting for, you are nervous but excited. Wake up at 02.00 a.m. for a pre-down attempt of the summit. It will take you about 5 hours to reach Gilmans Point at 5,681 m above sea level. From Gilmans it takes 1 hour to summit Uhuru Peak, the highest point in African at 5,896 m above sea level. After reaching Uhuru Peak spend sometime taking photos and watching as the African sun rises from the horizon. Afterwards descend to Horombo hut for overnight.
After breakfast, descend further down to the Marangu Park Gate via Mandara. At the gate you will be issued with certificates and your Kilimanjaro crew from Big Expeditions will join you in celebrating your success. On this day dancing is a must and after spending 5 days with your porters, you are already used to their dancing and singing which makes your forget all the pain and focus on your climb. After a colourful short ceremony organized by Big Expeditions to thank your climb, you sadly leave your crew behind and head to your hotel where you find a room reserved for you to refresh till late evening, when your driver collects you from the hotel and transfer you to Kilimanjaro Airport to board your International flight.
