Affectionately known as the ‘‘Coca-Cola’’ route, Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit on day earlier that the Machame route. The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain. This greatly increasing your chances of success. Hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. If offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route.
5 DAYS / 4 NIGHTS
MARANGU ROUTE
Day 1 Arusha / Mandara Hut (2 700 m)
After breakfast in your hotel, you will be transferred to Marangu Gate. On arrival, finalize the climb formalities including registrations. With your professional mountain guide, porters and cook, start the climb up to Mandara Hut for overnight stay.* L. D.
Day 2 Mandara Hut / Horombo Hut (3 720 m)
From Mandara the path continues through the forest. After a couple of hours you will suddenly emerge from the forest. The path follows the rolling moorland to reach Horombo Hut feet after a total of about six hours. Overnight at Horombo Hut.* B. L. D.**For successful results, extra day of acclimatisation at Horombo Hut is recommend, with side trekking to Mawenzi Saddle via Zebra Rocks. Meals and overnight at Horombo Hut.
Day 3 Horombo Hut / Kibo Hut (4 700 m)
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle”. There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour, continue with the climb up to Kibo Hut. On arrival take meals and chance to relax as the next stage begins immediately after midnight. * B. L. D.
Day 4 Kibo Hut / << Summit >> Horombo Hut (5 895 m)
Early departure for the summit. At around 01:00 am with your professional mountain guide, you will start the final climb to the summit. You will be expected to arrive at Uhuru Peak at around 06:30 am. After taking some pictures, you will descend down to Kibo Hut for breakfast and thereafter, continue descending down to Horombo Hut for overnight. * B. L. D.
Day 5 Horombo Hut / Arusha
After breakfast, you will descend down to Marangu Gate where you will be awarded with victory certificates for reaching the ‘‘summit’’ Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Then your driver will drive you back to Arusha for your next destination. * B. End of our services
If Marangu is the ‘‘Coca Cola’’ route, then the Machame Route is the ‘‘whisky route’’. It is the second most popular and arguably the most scenic route on the mountains. All climbers sleep in tents and meals are served in the mess tent supplied with tables and chairs. Extending the route with one or two days will increase your summit chances and enjoyment and decrease your chances of acute mountain sickness. Machame route is for physically fit people with some hiking experience and love adventures.
6 DAYS / 5 NIGHTS
CLIMB VIA THE SCENIC ROUTE OF MACHAME
AND DESCENDING DOWN VIA MWEKA ROUTE
Day 1 Arusha / Machame Camp (2 980)
After breakfast in your hotel drive to Machame Gate. On arrival finalize the climb formalities including registrations. With your professional mountain guide, porters and cook, start the climb up to Machame Camp for overnight stay. * L. D.
Day 2 Machame Camp / Shira Camp (3 840)
After breakfast you climb an hour or so to the top of the forest and then for 2 hours through the moorland zone. After a short lunch and rest, and thereafter and if the weather permits the guide will take you for the tour of Shira Plateau on the western breach which commands the most beautiful scenery. Overnight stay at Shira Camp. * B. L. D.
Day 3 Shira Camp / Barranco Camp (3 950)
Today, continue with the trek into a semi desert and rocky landscape surrounding Lava Tower, where you reach an altitude of 4630m after about a 5 hours walk. We begin up the steep track through a savannah of tall grasses, and trees of Giant Heather and Erica. Overnightstay at Barranco Camp. * B. L. D.
** For successful results, day of acclimatisation is recommended at Karranga Valley. Here is the short hiking. Afternoon a walk can be taken with your guides for great views of the Southern walls of Kibo and deep glacial valleys. Overnight at Karranga Valley. * B. L. D.
Day 4 Barranco Camp / Barafu Camp (4 630)
After early breakfast, start the hardest trekking day. This is one of the most demanding section of the climb crossing the Barranco Walls up to Karanga Valley. At times you may need to use your hands to support yourself scrambling on the bare Lava Rocks. Picnic lunch at Karanga Valley and thereafter continue with the climb up to Barafu Camp. On arrival take meals and a chance to relax as the next stage begins immediately after midnight. * B. L. D.
Day 5 Barafu Camp / Mweka Camp (5 895)
Early departure for the summit. At the early hours of the morning with your professional mountain guides, you will start the final climb to the ‘‘summit’’. On arrival at Uhuru Peak you will take pictures and thereafter you will descend down to Barafu Hut for breakfast and then continue descending down to Mweka Camp for overnight stay.
* B. L. D.
Day 6 Mweka Camp / Arusha
After breakfast at Mweka Hut, descend down to Mweka Gate where you will be awarded with victory certificates for reaching the summit of the highest point in Africa ‘‘ Uhuru Peak’’.Thereafter your driver will drive you back to Arusha for your next destination. * B.
End of our services