Marangu route Kilimanjaro. This route is the most comfortable route of all, due to the fact that you will not have to camp in tents at each end of the day.

KILIMANJARO ROUTE GUIDE

MARANGU ROUTE

The Marangu route is the most comfortable route of all, due to the fact that you will not have to camp in tents at each end of the day. The distance covered on each day, except for the summit attempt, is shorter compared to the other routes. Three permanent hut installations accommodate hikers on this route. The Marangu route can be done in a minimum 5 days, but is recommended to be used as a six day route for more acclimatization. Due to the comfort up to base camp at Kibo huts, this route is also known as the Coca-Cola route.

ITINERARY DAY 01

After arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by a representative and be transferred to Hotel Springlands in Moshi. This hotel offers great views of mountain Kilimanjaro on a clear day. You will overnight at Hotel Springlands.

ITINERARY DAY 02 Day 01 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Marangu Park gate at +/- 1800m
End point	The Mandara Huts at +/- 2727m
Terrain	Rain forest
Distance to walk	+/- 10 Km

From Moshi it will be a +/-45 minutes drive to Marangu Gate, the starting point on the eastern side of the National park. After signing yourself in at the gate you start your hike. The first day you will be hiking though the rainforest belt that is found around the park. Lunch will be provided to you in a form of a lunch packet at the gate, and the first day will take you approximately 5 hours. A good idea is to go for a short hike after settling in your hut. A good look out point will be found about 15 minutes from the huts at the Maundi Crater. Dinner is normally served around 7pm in one of the eating huts. Soda’s and beer will normally be available to purchase, but preferably do not consume any alcohol as this dehydrates a person, and that leads to altitude related problems. Bathrooms with running water is available (unfortunately no warm water), and all the huts have lights that is solar powered.

ITINERARY DAY 03 Day 02 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Mandara Huts at +/- 2727m
End point	The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m
Terrain	Heathland / Moorland
Distance to walk	+/- 15 Km

Wake up around 07h00, with breakfast to follow shortly after. Start hiking around 08h30 to the next stop at the Horombo Huts. This day should take you around 6 hours to complete. Lunch will be served half way though the days and you will have great views of Mawenzi (the second highest volcano on Kilimanjaro). Amazing views of Kibo (the highest of the 3 volcanoes can be seen from the Horombo huts. Dinner is normally served around 7pm in one of the eating huts. Soda’s and beer will normally be available to purchase, but preferably do not consume any alcohol as this dehydrates a person, and that leads to altitude related problems. Bathrooms with running water is available (unfortunately no warm water), and all the huts have lights that is solar powered.

ITINERARY DAY 04 Day 03 on Kilimanjaro - extra recommended acclimatization day
Starting point	The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m
Highest point	Mawenzi Hut at +/- 4600m
End point	The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m
Terrain	Alpine Desert

After breakfast start your hike up to the Mawenzi Hut. Just outside the Hut area you will find a split in the road. For today you will go right and pass the Zebra rock, one of the many land marks found in the Kilimanjaro National Park. This day must be used to walk high and sleep low (the best way to acclimatize). Although this day can be excluded from your itinerary, it is highly recommended to increase your chance of reaching Uhuru Peak, After reaching the Mawenzi Hut, return to Horombo Hut for dinner and rest.

ITINERARY DAY 05 Day 04 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m
End point	The Kibo Huts at +/- 4720m
Terrain	Alpine Desert
Distance to walk	+/- 16 Km

As this will be a long day, it is recommended to wake up earlier than on previous mornings. After breakfast start your hike up to your final overnight point prior to your summit, at the Kibo Huts. On the second part of the day you will cross the saddle that links Mawenzi with Kibo. It is of up most import ants to ascent very slowly hear to avoid altitude related problems. This part is also normally very warm and dry so remember to cover up with sun block and to drink water regularly. This day should take you around 8 hours to complete. Dinner is normally served around 7pm in one of the eating huts. The huts have lights powered by solar energy, but no running water is available. Please remember to stock up on water at the previous hut, the guide will also remind you of this.

ITINERARY DAY 06 Day 05 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Kibo Huts at +/- 4720m
First major landmark	Gilman’s Point at +/- 5150m
Second major landmark	Uhuru Peak at +/- 5895m
End point	The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m
Terrain	Alpine Desert scree slope with ice/snow and Glaciers
Distance to summit	+/- 6 Km

Around midnight you will have to start your final ascent to the summit. You will be woken with tea/coffee and biscuits. This part of your hike will be done at night to be able to reach Gilman’s Point around first light (+/- 6 hours from Kibo huts). This will be by far the most difficult part of your hike, as you will not only be hiking on a slope of lose gravel, but also be doing so at altitude. Remember to constantly be on the move, and only take short breaks every 2 hours or so to avoid getting cold. Your equipment that you have on should be able to assist your body to warm itself, and to keep cold wind out, but when not moving this becomes more difficult. Once arriving at Gilman’s Point, people tend to stay to long, and subsequent to that will turn around at this point. Do not spend more than 10 minutes here as you still have the last leg of your trip to complete. Another +/- 2 hours hike and you will have reach Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa. After this amazing and emotional experience you will return back to Kibo huts via the Gilman’s Point. This will go allot fasters than when you summated. You should arrive back at Kibo Huts just before lunch time for a light lunch and a short break. After that you will continue down back to the Horombo huts for dinner and a well earned rest.

ITINERARY DAY 07 Day 06 on Kilimanjaro
Starting point	The Horombo Huts at +/- 3720m
End point	The Marangu Park gate at +/- 1800m
Terrain	Heathland / Moorland & rains forest at end
Distance to walk	+/- 27 Km

No need for walking slow anymore, it is also not necessary to run. Enjoy the scenery as you walk from the Horombo Huts via the Mandara huts down to the Marangu gate. Lunch will be served enroot, and you should be back at the Marangu gate late afternoon. From the gate you will be collected and returned to Hotel Springlands for a celebration dinner. All successful mountaineers that have reached Uhuru or Gilman’s point will be presented with a unique certificate to commemorate your achievement.

OTHER ROUTES:
MACHAME ROUTE
LEMOSHO ROUTE
RONGAI ROUTE
UMBWE ROUTE

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