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MARANGU ROUTE
Detailed itinerary and prices available on request
The Marangu route is
the most often use trail on the mountain, as accommodation is in huts,
rather than tents, and thus more affordable. As such, it is a busier route
with many people on its well-worn paths, and if you are traveling alone,
it is the only route on which you can easily join in with another group
for company. It is also a more moderate ascent making it less difficult to
climb than the others. Like with all other routes, porters carry all of
your equipment and a cook prepares all your meals. The Marangu route is
also referred to as the "Coca Cola route. Many people also take an extra
day for acclimatisation at Horombo huts.
The Marangu route is normally
completed in a minimum of 5 days with the option to add on a day for
acclimatisation at Horombo Huts. If doing so, climbers trek up to Mawenzi
camp and return for the night to Horombo.
Itinerary for the Marangu
route
DAY 1
Marangu Gate (1850m/6000 ft) -
Mandara Hut (2700m/9,000 ft)
We leave Moshi town at about
0900hrs for Marangu Gate and start hiking between about 10h30 and 12h00.
The route takes one through a
thick rainforest from the park gate (6000 ft) to Mandara Hut (9000 ft),
which is reached around 14h00 to 16h00. Dinner is served during the early
evening, at about 19h00 in the communal dinning areas.
DAY 2:
Mandara Hut (2700m/9,000 ft) -
Horombo Huts (3700m/12,000 ft)
After breakfast we head out on
our next days trek towards Horombo Huts at 12000ft on a route that will
take about 5-6 hours. The climb will take us through the lower heathland
with small shrubs being the main vegetation. At our lunch stop about half
way up, we will get stunning view across to Mawenzi. We will arrive at
Horombo Hut around 15h00 with Kibo summit already in view.
DAY 3:
Horombo Huts (3700m/12,000 ft)
- Kibo Huts (4700m/15,500 ft)
Pack and begin the hike to
Kibo Huts (15,500 ft). The first half of the day-'s hike traverses the
upper heathland while the second half crosses the vast saddle that
connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a
lunar landscape. It is here that you may begin to feel the first effects
of altitude with shortness of breath and irritability, assuming it had not
taken effect earlier on the climb. The day's hike should take 6 to 7
hours, stopping half way for lunch.
DAY 4:
SUMMIT DAY (5895m/19,340 ft)
Wake at around midnight and
then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out
during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak
at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach Gilman-'s Point at
about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman-'s
Point. Another 2 hours of hiking will bring you to Uhuru Peak (19,340 ft)
at about 8:30 am. From there you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect
your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Huts where you will
spend the night.
DAY 5:
You will wake as usual, pack
and then descend along the same route to Mandara Huts, where you will have
lunch, before heading down to the park gate where you will be met by your
transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 14h00 or
15h00.
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