6 Days Marangu Route

Zuriafrica Safaris offers guided treks up the Marangu Route, which is renowned as the easiest and shortest path to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Often referred to as the "Coca Cola" or "tourist" route, it provides a comfortable hiking experience. Unlike other routes, the Marangu Route features solar-powered sleeping huts with cozy beds at each campsite. These huts are communal, and each bunk is equipped with a comfortable sponge mattress and pillow. Both Mandara and Kibo Huts have a capacity of 60 beds, while Horombo Hut can accommodate up to 120 individuals. Restrooms with running water are available at the lower huts, and basic latrines are provided at the final camp.

About

Day 1:

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be greeted and transferred to the hotel in Moshi, Hotel Day 1. Enjoy dinner and breakfast at the hotel.

Day 2:

After breakfast and a briefing from your guide, depart from Moshi at 9 AM and drive for 45 minutes to the Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Complete the registration process with the national park and commence your hike at 10:30 AM. In the rainforest, keep an eye out for majestic Eucalyptus trees, diverse birdlife, and playful Colobus monkeys. As you trek through the lower elevations, expect damp and muddy conditions, for which gaiters and trekking poles will be helpful. Dress in shorts and t-shirts but have your rain gear and warmer clothing accessible. Take a lunch break halfway and reach the Mandara Huts by 2 or 3 PM. Unwind, rest, and enjoy some tea or coffee. A short 15-minute detour to Maundi Crater offers splendid views of the surrounding landscapes, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Dinner will be served in the early evening at 7 PM. Restrooms with running water are available.

Day 3:

Begin your day with a 7:30 AM breakfast and prepare for the next leg of your trek. Start hiking by 8:30 AM, traversing through rainforest glades for an hour before ascending through heathland. Look out for towering lobelias and groundsels in this area. Continue your ascent into open moorlands dominated by small shrubs. Pause for lunch, where breathtaking vistas of Mawenzi await. Arrive at the Horombo Huts by 3 PM, granting you a glimpse of Kibo's summit. Take some time to rest, unpack, and get ready for dinner. Restrooms with running water are provided. At this altitude, you might begin to experience the effects of altitude sickness. Consider taking an extra day of rest at Horombo or opt for a climb to a basecamp below Kibo's subpeak, Mawenzi, to aid acclimatization.

Day 4:

Start your day with breakfast as usual, and if you wake up early, capture stunning sunrise photos. The initial part of today's hike ascends through heathland, gradually transitioning into a moon-like landscape as you enter the vast saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Pay close attention to any signs of altitude sickness as you pause for lunch and later traverse this expansive saddle. Take note that there is no running water at the Kibo Huts.

Day 5:

You have the option to extend your stay at the Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft). Spend an entire day and an additional night at Horombo. Utilize this time to rest or embark on a leisurely stroll to the Mawenzi basecamp before returning to the Horombo Huts. This extra day aids acclimatization and provides a deeper understanding of the mountain's weather and altitude. After this rest day, proceed to the Kibo Huts on your fourth day, preparing for a midnight start to the summit.

Day 6:

Rise at midnight for a light breakfast and prepare for your summit ascent. The objective is to climb before dawn, allowing you to reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise. Depart at 1 AM and navigate steep scree or snow, eventually reaching Gilman's Point on the crater rim at an altitude of 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 5 and 7 AM. The captivating views of the fabled crater and its icy caps will greet you. Another two hours of hiking along the crater rim

, near the renowned snows, lead you to Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 9 AM. This is the highest point in Africa, and you would need to travel over 3,000 miles towards the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Capture a memorable photograph at the summit to share with your friends. After enjoying your time at the summit, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, gather your belongings, and cross the saddle once more to return to the Horombo Huts. Indulge in a well-deserved dinner and get a good night's sleep. The initial part of this climb is undertaken in darkness using headlamps or flashlights. The temperatures will be extremely cold until you begin descending, so ensure you have all your warm layers. This section of the trek is the most challenging, but with a slow and steady pace, known as "pole pole," and a positive mindset, you will conquer it.

Day 7:

Wake up as usual, pack your belongings, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Enjoy lunch there and continue your triumphant descent through lush forests until you reach the park gate, which should be around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to show your appreciation by tipping your guides, cooks, and porters before bidding them farewell. A vehicle will transport you back to the Hotel Day 1 in Moshi, where it's time for well-deserved celebrations. Depart for the airport or explore other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. Consider unwinding on the beautiful beaches of Zanzibar to recuperate. We can help arrange reasonably priced trips and safaris in and around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region.

Note:

INCLUDED:

- Two nights' accommodation at Hotel Day 1 in Arusha, double or triple occupancy (before and after the climb)

- Breakfast on the first night

- Dinner and breakfast on the last night

- Qualified guides with a mountain crew

- National park fees

- Fees for huts/camping and provision of tents

- Foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils (cutlery/crockery)

- Rescue fees (required by the National Park)

- Pulse oximeters

- First aid kit

- Salaries for guides, porters, cook, and waiter

- Boiled water on the mountain

- Airport transfers (JRO - Kilimanjaro International Airport)

- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)

- Accommodation and entry fees for guides, porters, waiters, and cook on the mountain

Not Included:

- Tips for guides, porters, cook, and waiters

- Meals and drinks not specified

- Mountain equipment (e.g., sleeping bags)

- Gear for the climb (some equipment available for rent, refer to our rental price list)

- Car supplement of USD $145 per car for clients taking the Lemosho/Rongai/Shira Routes

- Personal expenses

- Emergency oxygen

- Additional nights beyond the two standard hotel nights included

- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit)

- Visa fees and travel insurance

- Flight tickets.

The weight limit for the porter's pack is 15 kg (35 pounds).
Any excess or additional luggage will require an extra porter, which incurs a fee of $5 per day.
Keep your electronics safe by storing them in waterproof bags, preferably with double sealing.
Protect your clothing by wrapping them in plastic bags.
In your day pack, ensure you have essentials such as water, sunglasses, camera, binoculars, rain pants, and a jacket.
Include any other necessary items for the day since you may not have access to your porters until the end of the day.
Zuriafrica Safaris is interested in purchasing used gear for rentals.
Consider bringing old warm clothing items as gifts for your guides, porters, or as donations to the Mount Kilimanjaro Porters Society.
You can store extra luggage for free in a locked storage room at the Hotel.
Refer to the Zuriafrica Safaris Equipment list for details on what is provided by the tour company.

Baggage:

- Bring a day pack for personal use.
- Use a large duffel bag or backpack for the porters to carry.
- Pack plastic bags for various purposes.
Clothing:
- Opt for moisture-wicking inner layers instead of cotton.
- Layer your clothing for insulation, warmth, and waterproofing.
- Pack appropriate clothes for hiking, lounging in the evening, and sleeping.
- Keep in mind that temperatures can vary significantly on Kilimanjaro, so layering is important.

Cold Weather Accessories:

- Include waterproof mittens and/or gloves (thin and thick pairs that can be layered), a wool or pile hat, and a balaclava or neck gaiter.
- Consider bringing hand and foot warmers that are chemically activated.

Footwear:

- Make sure to break in your hiking shoes before the climb.
- Choose trekking shoes that are warm, waterproof, and offer ankle support.
- Include a pair of tennis shoes or sandals for relaxation in the evening.
- Pack gaiters, hiking socks, wool socks for colder conditions, and sock liners for moisture-wicking.

Sleeping:

- Bring a sleeping bag rated -25 degrees C/-10 degrees F or colder.
- Include a sleeping pad and repair kit.
- Tents are provided by Zuriafrica Safaris at no cost.
- Foam sleeping pads are also provided (though it is recommended to bring a Thermarest if possible).
- Pack water bottles or a Camelback (2-3).
- Purchase 3 liters of bottled water before the trip
- Guides will boil water or use steripens for water sanitization.
- Keep your water source inside your jacket to prevent freezing on summit day.
- Remember to blow air back into the Camelback bladder after each sip and drink frequently.
- Consider bringing Gatorade or other drink mixes for taste and minerals.
- Include a water filter or iodine purification tablets.
- Pack a sun hat with a brim, sunglasses, a bandana, and money (including small U.S., Euro, or Tanzanian bills).
- Don't forget ski or trekking poles, a headlamp or flashlight, a camera with accessories, batteries, binoculars, a notebook and writing utensils, a pocket knife, an electricity adapter, energy bars and snacks, entertainment items, plastic bags and zip-lock bags for waterproofing, a sewing kit, salt, pepper, and spices, business cards, an alarm clock, a calculator for currency conversion, and a
swimsuit for hotel swimming pools.

Toiletries:

- Include toilet paper, a small towel, soap, a toothbrush and toothpaste, handi-wipes for cleaning, hand sanitizer, lotion, glasses or contacts with solution, and a comb with a mirror.

Documents:

- Carry your passport, yellow fever certificate, Tanzania Visa, medical insurance, address book, vaccination records, airline tickets, cash, travellers cheques, credit cards, maps, and guidebooks.
- Make copies of important documents and leave them with someone at home, as well as keeping a separate copy in your luggage.

First Aid:

- Pack pain relievers (such as ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or aspirin), throat lozenges, bandaids, moleskin, sunscreen, lip balm with sunscreen, insect repellent, disinfectant, antiseptic cream, bandages and tape, diarrhea medicine, antihistamines, an ace bandage, melatonin or other sleep aid, malaria pills (consult your doctor), antibiotics (consult your doctor), prescription drugs (consult your doctor), and Diamox (consult your doctor).

Gifts for Guides, Porters, and Locals:

- Consider bringing shoes, warm clothing, t-shirts, hats, Nerf footballs, frisbees, candy, and pens.
- Bring a U-shaped neck pillow, books or magazines, toiletries, snacks, water, a walkman with music, eye shades, ear plugs, melatonin or other sleep aid, and critical climbing gear in case your baggage is delayed.

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6 Days Marangu Route

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