Marangu route: Perfect rout to Climb Mt Kilimanjaro
Marangu route, In our fifteen years of service, All Tanzania Safaris have assisted over 12,000 climbers in reaching the peak of Kilimanjaro. Our 95% success rate is a result of using only the highest quality equipment and employing only the most experienced mountain guides. We have been staunch backers of KPAP since 2009, thus we care deeply about our local employees’ well-being. Carbon offsets are an inherent part of everyAll Tanzania Safaris journey, including the Kilimanjaro climb.
The Marangu route was the first established path to climb Kilimanjaro. It is famously called the “Coca-Cola” route since at each hut you may obtain a bottle of Coca-Cola. Despite its reputation as one of the easiest walking routes, KINAPA reports that its success rate is the lowest at 42%. This is likely due to the fact that many climbers attempt to complete the route in just 5 days without proper acclimatization, leading to their failure. Because it follows the same path both up and down, the Marangu route—which approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast—is less picturesque than the other options.
Marangu is the one route that provides dormitory-style huts for climbers who would rather not camp. There is a shared dining area, basic restrooms, and toilets (flushable ones lower down, “long drop” loos higher up the mountain). Although staying in the huts instead of camping appeals to some climbers, it’s important to keep in mind that on the Marangu route, you’ll be sharing dormitory-style housing with a large number of other climbers. The Marangu route is a great option for those who want to climb Kilimanjaro during the rainy season because of the hut lodging.
Suggest itinerary for climbing mt Kilimanjaro through Maranga Route
Flying into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is something that each hiker must arrange alone. We can set up a private transfer for you to your hotel from JRO. Your local Kandoo agent will meet with you that night or first thing in the morning to give you a thorough pre-climb briefing.
Transportation: Individual transport
Lodging: Hotel
We will come and get you from your hotel after breakfast and take you to Marangu Gate to register. We begin our climb up a cleared ridge trail in the middle of the rainforest after our porters have packed all of our belongings. The majority of Kilimanjaro’s fauna inhabit the mist-shrouded woodland that drips with moss beards. Mandara Hut is a cluster of A-frame wooden cabins located in a clearing in the forest where we will spend the first night.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Hiking time: 3 – 4 hours
- Ascent: 720 m
- Max. altitude: 2700 m
- Accomodation: Hut
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On the third day, hike from Mandarina Hut to Horombo Waterfall.
Ascending out of the rain forest and into the moorland, the trail from Mandara Hut winds its way through a brief section of forest, following the contours of the Maundi Crater. Arrival in Horombo Hut is around 6 hours later.
- Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
- Ascent: 1020 m
- Max. altitude: 3720 m
- Accomodation: Hut
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4: Horombo Hut Acclimatization
The additional time in Horombo, both day and night, is perfect for acclimatization. To aid in acclimatization even further, a climb to Mawenzi, passing the Zebra Rocks along the way (about three hours up and 1.5 hours down), is highly advised.
- Hiking time: 4 – 5 hours
- Ascent: 300 m
- Descent: 300 m
- Max. altitude: 4020 m
- Accomodation: Hut
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
At 4130 meters, we cross the last water source before continuing our climb into the Alpine desert zone. The remaining ascent to the summit from Kibo Hut is 1,195 meters. We will have a good night’s sleep because we have our peak ascent planned for tonight.
- Hiking time: 5 – 6 hours
- Ascent: 980 m
- Max. altitude: 4700 m
- Accomodation: Hut
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Here is where things get rough; we’ll get up at about 23:30, have some biscuits and tea, and then stomp off into the night. The track begins with a rough ascent to Hans Meyer point (5250 m), an ideal site for a break. Next, the trail winds its way up to Gilman’s Point (5681m), perched on the edge of the crater. This portion demands a tremendous amount of mental and physical stamina because to its extreme steepness and plenty of stone scree.
It is common to experience snow during the ascent to Africa’s highest peak, Uhuru Peak (5895 m), from Gilman’s Point. How much time we have to take pictures before the three-hour descent down to Kibo Hut is dependent on the weather at the peak. Following a little nap, we collect all of the items we forgot on the way up and continue our three-hour descent to Horombo Hut. Our final mountain meal and a good night’s sleep await us later in the evening.
- Hiking time: 12 – 14 hours
- Ascent: 1195 m
- Descent: 2175 m
- Max. altitude: 5895 m
- Accomodation: Hut
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
On this, the last day of your climb, after breakfast we will descend another 1,740 meters to Marangu Gate, where you will meet up with your summit certificates at the Park Headquarters. Then, it’s time to celebrate and take a shower at your hotel.
- Transport: Private transfer
- Hiking time: 6 – 7 hours
- Descent: 1740 m
- Max. altitude: 3720 m
- Accomodation: Hotel
- Meals included: Breakfast
Goodbyes when you have had a nice night’s sleep. Our morning pickup service is available for those who have booked airport transfers, safaris, or Zanzibar excursions with us.
Difficulty to climb Kilimanjaro through Marangu Route
This is actually one of the more challenging ways due to the rapid ascent, despite the fact that many are persuaded to believe otherwise. In particular, many individuals experience difficulties due to a lack of acclimatization on the five-day schedule. Even while the 6-day option is less strenuous, you’ll still need to be in decent shape. Would you like some training tips or a training schedule to follow before this journey? We highly suggest Kate Sielmann and her mountaineering and trekking-focused coaching programs. Additional information can be found at this location.
Drinks And Meals
Maintaining a healthy diet is critical while climbing, but it becomes much more important when you’re in conditions that make it hard to eat or drink enough. Our head chef has created specific menu plans that are delicious, nutritious, and packed with all the energy you need to reach the peak, as many climbers experience a loss of appetite at high altitude. Fresh fruit and vegetables are a staple in our daily meals. We will restock the group at Karanga Camp on the southern routes when it is feasible, and you will have fresh meat for the first half of the walk. Upon your return to Base Camp from your summit ascent, we will have a “All Day English Breakfast” waiting for you as a special treat; simply inform our cook of your preferred egg cooking method. On top of that, you get to try some traditional Tanzanian dishes like Machalari and Njegere before you even leave the mountain.
Breakfast meal
Typical robust breakfast fare consists of sausage, eggs, bread slathered in marmalade or jam, and oatmeal. Hot beverages, such tea, coffee, or chocolate, will also be available. If you’re still hungry after this, or if you think you could eat more, just tell your guide. To make sure everyone has a wonderful meal, our cooks constantly make extra food.
midday meal
Based on your route, we will either stop for a freshly cooked lunch or pack it for you to carry in your rucksack. Packing a boiled egg, some chicken, chips, a snack bar, some fresh fruit, and a drink is the standard fare for a packed lunch.
Mid-afternoon lunch
Good day Once you reach camp at the end of the walking day, tea is provided. If you’re looking to replenish some of the energy you just expended, there are a variety of hot beverages, peanuts, popcorn, biscuits, and snacks to choose from.
Dinner
Meals are substantial. Start with a bowl of hot soup, then go on to a main dish like chicken curry or spaghetti bolognese with plenty of fresh veggies and grains like rice, pasta, or potatoes. For dessert, try some pancakes or banana fritters topped with maple syrup or nutella!
Accommodations
Everything from hotel stays to meals is detailed in your comprehensive day-by-day itinerary. Moshi is home to all of our lodging needs, both before and after the climb. In order to cut down on travel time, we will have already reserved a hotel for you in Arusha upon your arrival if you are going on a safari before your climb. If your hotel is based on a bed and breakfast model, you will likely be able to buy snacks and meals there for either Tanzanian Shillings or, more commonly, US dollars. Get to know the hotel’s layout and fire safety protocols as soon as you arrive. Pay close attention to the locations of all exits and ways out of the building.
We cannot promise that the hotel will provide hot showers because Tanzania is still a developing nation and power outages and water cuts occur frequently. These outages are beyond the control of the hotel, but they will do their best to assist.
There is just one Kilimanjaro route that uses mountain huts instead of tents, and that is the Marangu route. Beds for four people on bunks are the norm in the cramped apartments. The huts at Kibo are more like dorms and can accommodate up to twenty people. You are still need to carry a sleeping bag, even though the park service provides mattresses, linens, and pillows. All of your meals will be served in an indoor dining area, and the rooms will be lit by solar power rather than electrical outlets. At both the Mandara and Horombo Huts, you can find restrooms that have cold running water. At Kibo Hut, you’ll find more basic amenities.
Language
There is a 15-kilogram weight restriction for each porter’s main equipment bag at Kilimanjaro National Park. Your sleeping bag, whether rented or not, is subject to this restriction. You won’t need anything else while you’re up there. Before you set off on your climb, the hotel will weigh your bag. If it’s too heavy, you’ll have to remove certain goods and leave them behind. You can hire more porters for $25 per day if needed.
Prohibiting the Use of Single-Use Plastic Bags
Tanzania outlawed the use of all single-use plastic bags from June 1, 2019. Using packing cubes and dry bags, which are more sustainable options, can help in the fight against plastic. Airport security reserves the right to request the surrender of any plastic bags carried by passengers.
How to get to Kilimanjaro through Marangu Route
You should fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) if you are a climber from the United Kingdom or the United States. Flying to JRO is a breeze with KLM. They service all the major airports in the UK and even some of the bigger US international airports. It is common for flights departing from the UK to make a transfer at Amsterdam’s main airport, Luchthaven Schiphol, and then arrive at JRO in the late evening of the same day.
Moshi, the town at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro, is where all of our tours start. Situated at an elevation of around 1000 meters above sea level, Moshi is located low on the mountain’s south slope. We will provide transportation from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your hotel as part of your trek; Moshi is only 25 miles away by car. Transportation is usually accessible at all hours, whether in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning, and it usually takes about thirty-five minutes.
Be sure to secure your reservation with us early because Moshi is a popular choice for hotel accommodations during your stay, however it does fill up fast during the high season. If you’re intending on climbing the mountain first thing in the morning after a long flight, it’s smart to give yourself a day to recoup and get your gear ready.
Climbers from the United Kingdom sometimes use Kenyan Airways or British Airways to fly into Nairobi. Only flights leaving from London’s Heathrow Airport are available. From Nairobi, most climbers take a flight to Kilimanjaro International Airport via Ethiopian Airways, Precision Air, Air Kenya, or Air Tanzania.
We advise against flying via Nairobi due to the unpleasantness of the airport and the length of time it can take to transfer to other flights. Furthermore, it is notoriously slow when it comes to handling bags and moving them between flights.
Now JRO is served by Turkish Airlines, Air Emirates, and Qatar, although passengers from the UK may experience lengthy delays and aircraft departing late at night on these trips. Turkish Airlines, Air Emirates, and Qatar are our top recommendations for climbers flying from the US because of the consistently positive reviews they receive from passengers.
If you want to experience more of this stunning area before going home, Vayama offers great flights to East Africa from JRO, including destinations like Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Zanzibar. After a long day of climbing, many tourists choose to relax on the beach in beautiful Zanzibar. Booking a return journey from Dar es Salaam to Zanzibar on an internal flight and then back to Dar es Salaam for your flight home is the best method to organize travel for that, according to our research.
Always allow at least three hours of time between flights if you need to change planes or recheck your bags at an airport along the way. Time spent re-checking bags, traveling between airports (which can be more time-consuming than expected), and potential arrival delays will all be included in.
Budget
You won’t be able to purchase the Tanzanian Shilling in advance of your arrival because it is a closed currency. It is recommended to bring US Dollars for your trip because they are generally accepted. New, crisp, and undamaged US banknotes (no older than ten years) are highly vital. We can accompany you to an ATM or bank if you need local currency to buy refreshments at your accommodation or on the route to the climb. To the left of the airport’s Baggage Collection area is a currency exchange. In order to avoid any problems when you truly need the money from your credit or debit card, it is important to inform your card issuer that you will be using it overseas.