Marangu Route

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Marangu Route

Year Round Ascents

Marangu Route with ZARA
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Kilimanjaro by the Marangu Route 
Grade B  Fully supported
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, a mat is provided.

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.

Programme

  1. Arrive Springlands hotel (B&B).
  2. Drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (2743m), about 3 hours.
  3. Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (3760m).
  4. Rest and acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut. Day walk to Zebra Rocks or to Mawenzi Hut. This day can be missed out making a 7 day itinerary.
  5. Walk through moorland then alpine desert to "The Saddle" between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4730m).
  6. Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5681m) which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to the thicker air an relative warmth of Horombo hut.
  7. Descend to Marangu gate. Drive back to the hotel (B&B).
  8. Depart after breakfast.

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Kilimanjaro Trek area

The programme is available all the year round. Prices are all inclusive except for: tips, airport transfers and extra drinks; the hotel is on a Bed and Breakfast basis. See also hotel details and facilities, safari extensions, Zanzibar extensions, weather.

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Kilimanjaro from Saddle
Kibo from the Saddle

meal at Horombo
Mealtime at the Mandara Hut

More pictures of services and the ascent

Route Map
route diagram
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ALW 15/5/03
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