Kilimanjaro, Marangu Route
This is the traditional and most straightforward route on the mountain.
It is also the busiest and best equipped. If you accept that there
will be others around, there are the advantages of good huts, good
views of Mawenzi and, of course, others to walk with. If you are
travelling by yourself, this is the only route on which you can
easily join a group.
The extra day is highly recommended for improved acclimatisation.
Be clear whether or not this is included in your trip.
MARANGU ROUTE ITINERARY
For prices for this tour check out our Kilimanjaro
prices and itineraries index
Day 1
Arrive at the hotel in time for an evening meal and to meet
your guide to discuss the trip, especially any queries you may have
about kit.
Day 2
Drive to Marangu Gate (6,500 feet) and then start the five hour
walk to Mandara Hut at 8,800 feet. Most of the walk is through forest
on a good path. A small path branches off left after a short way.
This is a longer, more scenic and muddier way which your guide will
probably not want to take. Mandara Hut is a small number of new
huts in a forest clearing. If you have the time and energy a short
walk to Maundi Crater is worthwhile. From its low rim you can see
above the trees and should be able to see the main summit, although
in the afternoon it will almost certainly be cloud-capped.
Day 3
From Mandara the path continues through the forest. After a couple
of hours you will suddenly emerge from the forest to hopefully amazing
views of the summit, suddenly much nearer. The path follows the
rolling moorland to reach Horombo Hut at 12,000 feet after a total
of about six hours. Horombo is really a small village and is usually
busy. Many people spend two nights here and you will stay again
on the way down. Once you reach Horombo it is noticeably colder
and you will need to have a fleece jacket or sweater with you. About
now you will also start to feel the effects of altitude, so drink
and walk slowly.
Extra Day
(This may not be in your itinerary). A leisurely walk to The Saddle
by the right hand path takes you close to Mawenzi. This is an extra
day of acclimatisation and it's an ideal day to rest as well as
walk high and sleep low. You then return to Horombo for the night.
Day 4
Continue on the moorland path, past the 'Last Water Point' where
you should fill your bottles. The slope eases as you reach the desert
like expanse of The Saddle and the group of huge rocks. It's an
easy couple of hours to Kibo Hut, but you'll be troubled by the
view of the path you'll take tomorrow. Kibo Hut is at 15,300 feet
and so it will be very cold at night. You'll probably have a head-ache
and not each much. You must drink as much as possible. If you have
had an extra night at Horombo you'll be feeling much better and
smugger than the others. The good news is that you'll be leaving
soon after midnight.
Day 5
The path soon steepens as you start up the huge scree slope of the
actual rim. The main difficulties are psychological as you walk
slowly and rhythmically uphill for about five hours, possibly the
longest five hours of your life. Two good things happen - the sky
lightening tells you that you are getting nearer, and rocks appear
around you. You are now very near Gillman's Point, 18,500 feet,
the lowest point on the rim. Most people stop here, and you should
only continue if you are feeling well and the weather is settled.
The highest point, Uhuru Peak, 19,340 feet, is much further than
it looks. If you have timed the climb well, Mawenzi, behind you,
will be glowing red in the dawn sun. The walk round the rim to Uhuru
is fairly level but takes about two hours there and two back, so
only continue if you are feeling strong. Take the advice of your
guide at this point. The walk is well worth it, not just because
of the sense of achievement, but for the amazing ice scenery you'll
pass on the way. Do not linger too long at the summit as you have
a long way to go.
The descent commences with the walk around the crater rim to Gillmans
Point. From Gilmans, if you are brave and have good knees, you can
scree-run down the scree slopes almost all the way to Kibo Hut.
This can take less than an hour but more likely two. Here you will
get tea and biscuits and a chance to take a short rest.
Then you walk back across The Saddle towards Mawenzi, the third
of Kilimanjaro's peaks. The views are great and you reach Horombo
in about two hours. This means that this day you will be on the
move for more than fourteen hours with one hour's rest at Kibo.
It's a tough day, but from Uhuru Point it is all downhill, and at
Horombo you will get the chance to wash, eat well, and buy a drink
or three.
Day 6
The home run! It's about 7 hours walk from Horombo Hut to the Marangu
Gate, passing Mandara Hut en route. At the hut there will be a chance
to buy drinks. The final stage is through the rain forest and it
is worth asking your guide to take the less crowded route via the
waterfalls. At Marangu Gate you can collect your certificates as
you sign out, have lunch and meet your vehicle for the drive to
back to the hotel for dinner and a good sleep.
Day 7
After breakfast you are free to relax, rush to the airport or start
your safari.
Accommodation and food
The accommodation is in good huts, either dormitory or smaller
four bed A-frames. The lower huts have spacious dining rooms, where
you will be served meals cooked by your guide. All food and kitchen
equipment will be carried by the porters and cooked by an experienced
cook. It will be plentiful and wholesome, but may be limited by
the circumstances. Beer and soft drinks are available at the huts.
Your own supply of chocolate and high energy snacks is a good idea.
Water is available at several points and should be purified before
drinking. All water at the huts will be boiled and some provided
for drinking the next day. A comforting tip is to fill your bottle
in the evening with boiled water for the next day, and to use it
as a hot water bottle overnight. There are water points between
the huts – check with your guide.
Acclimatisation
Acclimatisation is extremely important, both to let you enjoy
your ascent but more importantly to avoid any serious complications.
The route is planned to optimise the height gain, but you may still
get a head ache or feel nauseous. There are two important preventative
measures: to drink copiously, even when it is really difficult,
and to walk very slowly, avoiding as far as possible increased heart
and breathing rates.
A drug, Diamox, is available from your GP and is well proven to
help with acclimatisation. This is taken as tablets for a few days
before and then during your ascent. It is safe and has no serious
side effects. It is important to remember that one possible effect
of altitude is light-headedness and odd behaviour, which can lead
to foolish decisions. The danger here is of someone who is not well
insisting on continuing. Watch each other closely.
Other details
Toilets are available at the huts. If you are caught out, please
find a spot as far as possible from the path and any water. Bury
your faeces and paper. It is often easiest to move a large rock
and use the indent as a hole. Mark your spot by balancing a couple
of stones.
Mount Meru
If you enjoy mountains and would like extra acclimatisation, why
not consider an ascent of Mount Meru (14,800 feet) before going
on to Kili. The mountains are adjacent and the two trips complement
each other. Fully inclusive prices start from £495 for a group
of two.
Safaris
Most people add a safari to a climb of Kilimanjaro. This can be
either before or after the climb. A few days in Zanzibar is also
a good way to finish a trip.
Please ask for more details about
extending your trip.
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