6 DAYS:MARANGU ROUTE

6 DAYS:MARANGU ROUTE

This is the easiest route to ascend Mt. Kilimanjaro. 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. This is a tough walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking. An extra day for acclimatization to the altitude can be spent at Horombo. From Horombo there are various walks to enjoy.
Best climbing seasons are in November to March and May to September every year.

DAY 1:MOSHI OR ARUSHA HOTEL – MARANGU GATE (1,800m) – MANDARA HUT (2,900m)
Transfer from your hotel 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 (1.5 hours from the gate), you can choose to cross the stream and rejoin the main trail, or continue on the forest trail. Lunch will be at this spot. Both trails continue on opposite sides of the stream, merging about one hour before Mandara Hut.

DAY 2:MANDARA HUT (2,900m) – HOROMBO HUT (3,657m)
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 scenecios or groundsels. Lunch is served on the way. Dinner and overnight at the huts.

DAY 3:HOROMBO HUT (ACCLIMATIZATION DAY)

Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 150 climbers. Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here.
This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly. All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.

DAY 4:HOROMBO HUT (3,657m) – KIBO HUT (4,750m)
The eleven kilometers path seems rather steep at first as it bends north west and up through the thinning vegetation of the moors. It takes 4 to 5 hours of tough walk, a gradual but relentless uphill slog to round off what has already been a fairly wearing day.
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 hours from Horombo), there are trails to Mawenzi Hut (1.5 hours) or Mawenzi Tarn Hut (2.5 hours) and across the length of the Saddle to Kibo Hut (3 hours). 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. Dinner and overnight at the hut.

DAY 5:SUMMIT ATTEMPT
Wake up around 5.30am and after a breakfast of tea and biscuits, you will start off into the night and this is where the going gets really tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5,681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort, probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillman’s 1 hour climb to the summit point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa and experience total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo Hut (3 hours) for your overnight.
The return to Horombo Hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening, you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

DAY 6:HOROMBO HUT – MARANGU GATE
After breakfast, you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara Hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. At Marangu gate, you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5,685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations! Overnight in your hotel.