This is the easiest route to the summit of Kilimanjaro,
sometimes called the Coca-Cola Route. The Marangu route takes you at a
gentle pace through forests, moorlands and then across The Saddle, a
high-altitude desert separating the main summit, Kibo, 5896m, from craggy
Mawenzi, 5149m, to Kibo Hut. From here an early start is made for the ascent
to Uhuru Point (the highest top of Kibo). The path zig-zags up steep scree
which is easier to climb when frozen. The views from the crater rim at
Gillman's Point at dawn can be spectacular. Uhuru Peak lies a further
1h30min. around the rim.
Accommodation on the mountain is in comfortable huts. You
will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a tough
walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in
mountain areas. An extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude is
recommended at Horombo from where there are various walks to enjoy.
We will pick you up at the airport and taking
you to Springlands Hotel where you can relax by the pool or go for an
evening monkey-viewing forest walk. You then go up your chosen route. We do
not charge you extra if you are on your own! You will have a guide, a cook
and porters to carry as much of your equipment as you want. We organise year
round trips on any route. On the last day you return to the hotel for a
clean up, final meal and overnight, this is a good time to have a sauna or
maybe a massage. Everything is included in our prices except for drinks,
tips and the hotel is on a B&B basis. For high seasons (Christmas - New Year
and July - August) please book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Now take a look at the routes available up the mountain
ranging from the least demanding Marangu to the rugged and spectacular Umbwe
or long and wild Lemosho. The Machame Route is a popular one as it combines
the beautiful and varied scenery with plenty of opportunities to
acclimatise.
If you are not accustomed to camping and mountain walking
you could consider the Marangu Route as the most suitable. This follows easy
angled paths through magnificent rain forests to the Mandara Hut. Shortly
beyond it passes Maundi Crater, a fine view point located at the edge of the
forest belt. Above you enter the moorlands with their fine giant heathers
stands, groundsels, lobelia and other exotic tropical high altitude plants.
The next hut is the Horombo Hut, soon after this hut you reach the Saddle, a
high altitude desert separating the rugged Mawenzi summit from Kibo. The
final ascent starts from the Kibo Hut and involves steep paths on loose
scree. There is fresh running water at all the huts apart from Kibo where it
will be carried by your porters. You will be accommodated generally in 4
person clean huts with mattresses.
The other routes are all more demanding as regards
steepness and in places involve some scrambling. Accommodation is in tents
and there is no running water at the campsites though warm water for washing
is provided. The scenery more than compensates for these difficulties.
Whichever route you choose it is essential to allow enough time for
acclimatisation to the altitude.
Although
Mt. Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year it is worth avoiding the
two rainy seasons (late March to mid-June and October to the beginning of
December) when the route becomes slippery. Probably the best time to visit is
January to February and September to October when there is usually no cloud.
Mount
Kilimanjaro (19340’) (5895m) lies just 3 degrees south of the equator and is
one of the highest volcanoes in the world. It rises some (15000’) (4572m)
above the surrounding plains and savannahs.
The
Kilimanjaro National Park covers some 1864 sq. Km (720 sq. miles) The base of
this immense mountain has diameter of 80 Km (48 Miles) and the outstanding
features are its three major volcanic centers: Shira (4160m) in the west.
Mawenzi (5280 m) to the east and the permanently snow-capped Kibo in the
middle.
In climbing, the terrain
passes from a tropical to an artic clime in just a few days. The encircling
rain forest ensures the fertility of the lower lying shambas and is rich in
birdlife. Above the rain forest lies the Alpine Meadow, a beautiful moorland,
offering many splendid views. Exotic plants such as the giant Lobelia and the
fork-like Groundsel are to be seen. The latter blooming once every 50 – 70
years. Leaving the Alpine Meadow we reach the Alpine Desert and eventually the
‘’snows of Kilimanjaro’’.
Kilimanjaro by the Marangu Route
This is the easiest route to take to ascend Kilimanjaro, the highest
mountain in Africa with its two main summits, the craggy Mawenzi, 5149m, and
the 'flat-topped', glaciated Kibo, 5896m. The Saddle, a 5km wide,
high-altitude, semi-desert separates the two. From the summit glaciers,
screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland then forests lead down to the
cultivated foothills. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through
these dramatically different zones. For the ascent to Uhuru Peak from Kibo
Hut a very early start is made since the scree is easier to climb when
frozen and the views from the crater rim at dawn can be spectacular. Ski
sticks are useful when ascending the scree to the summit.
Accommodation on the mountain is in comfortable huts you will require a
sleeping bag and mat. This is a tough walking trip but within the
limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. An extra day
for acclimatisation to the altitude can be spent at Horombo. From Horombo
there are various walks to enjoy.
Option 1 without acclimatisation day
Day
1 Moshi
Arrive
Moshi and check into hotel for overnight. B&B
Day 2 Mandera Encampment
Transfer to the Park Headquarters at Marangu
Gate for registration. From the gate, you ascend a cleared ridge trail,
formerly a vehicle track to Mandara Hut. The cleared trail is the fastest
way to Mandara, but opportunities to see wildlife or enjoy the forest are
limited due to the heavy foot traffic. An alternative is to ascend along the
parallel forest trail and descend on the main trail. The forest trail
branches off to the left, a few minutes after the gate, and follows the edge
of a stream through the undergrowth. About halfway (1 1/2 hrs from the gate)
you can choose to cross the stream and rejoin the main trail, or continue on
the forest trail. Both trails continue on opposite sides of the stream,
merging about one hour before Mandara Hut.
Day 3
From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a
short stretch of forest and skirts the base of Maundi Crater, crosses a
meadow and a wooded stream, then emerges into grassland. It is well worth
the short detour to scramble up to the rim of Maundi Crater for a superb
view of the mountain and its surroundings. The trail crosses numerous moor
land ravines before ending at Horombo Hut, which is set in a rocky valley
with a fine stand of giant senecios or groundsels.
Day 4
From Horombo Hut there are two trails to the
Saddle. The right fork is very stony and eroded and is the most direct route
to the Saddle and Mawenzi. From the Saddle (about 2 hrs from Horombo), there
are trails to Mawenzi Hut (1/2hr) or Mawenzi Tarn Hut (2 1/2 hrs) and across
the length of the Saddle to Kibo Hut (3 hrs). The left fork from Horombo Hut
is an easier trail and emerges on the Saddle much closer to Kibo and about
one kilometer from Kibo Hut.
Day 5
The trail to the summit lies directly behind
Kibo Hut, to the west. It is normal to start this day's climb shortly after
midnight. The loose stone scree is frozen - making it easier to climb, and
you can get back in good time). The first part is an uneven trail which
leads to the Hans Meyer Cave, a good rest point. After that, the trail makes
more regular switchbacks most of the way to the top, with a last scramble
over rocks to Johannes Notch and Giliman's Point. From there, the trail
continues along the rim past Stella Point to Uhuru Peak. As you descend the
scree from the rim back to Kibo Hut, it is tempting to run fast, but this
can result in clouds of irritating dust and even unpleasant falls. The
return to Horombo Hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent.
Day 6
The descent continues past the Mandara encampment, down to the park gate.
Successful climbers collect their well earned certificates. Drive to Moshi
for overnight.
Day 7 Depart
Depart for onward
destination after breakfast
Option 1 with acclimatisation day
Day
1
Arrive Springlands hotel (B&B).
Day
2
Drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (4h,
2743m).
Day
3
Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (5h, 3760m).
Day
4
Rest and acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut. Day walk to Zebra Rocks or to
Mawenzi Hut.
Day
5
Walk through moorland then across The Saddle to Kibo hut (5h, 4730m)
Day
6
Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5h,
5681m), continue to Uhuru Peak (1h30min., 5895m). Descend to Kibo Hut for
lunch and a rest before descending to Horombo hut (about 13h total walking
time).
Day
7
Descend to Marangu gate (5h). Drive back to the hotel (B&B)
Day
8
Depart after breakfast.
Climbing
Mount Kilimanjaro is normally a ‘’Once in a lifetime’’ event and should
be arranged and handled correctly so as to ensure a pleasurable and memorable
experience.
The Marangu route (up and
down) offers hut accommodation, to reserve hut space, bookings are required well
in advance for climbs made during the busy months, (July, August, December and January) If no hut space is available, camping can sometimes be arranged. For the
other routes (up and down) camping is arranged. Any necessary or additional
climbing equipment can be arranged.
Climbing
certificates are issued by the Kilimanjaro National Park for successful
climbers.
The
Various climbs include:
-
Springlands Hotel on the first and last night on B&B
basis
-
Transportation
from Moshi to the starting point and return to Moshi
-
National
Park gate fees
-
Hut
fees / Camping fees
-
Rescue
fees / Park Commission
-
Guides
& Porters salaries
-
All
meals on mountain
-
Government
tax
For
sodas and other drinks bring smaller Tanzanian
bank
notes with you, change is scarce on the mountain
