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Climb Kilimanjaro Marangu Route, Tanzania

The Mountain Climbing programmes in Africa and Tanzania

From Price: 1,049.00EUR / GBP877.00

The Marangu Route (also known at the 'Coca-Cola' route) is the easiest ascent of Kilimanjaro, although any ascent can be challenging. It crosses The Saddle, a 5km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert that separates craggy Mawenzi from the main summit Kibo. From the summit, glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland and forests lead down to the cultivated foothills.

Climb Kilimanjaro Marangu Route, Tanzania Essential Info

Climb Kilimanjaro with a group of like minded adventurers, eager to take on Africa´s highest free standing mountain.

Sunrise over Africa through the cloud base.
Summiting the worlds highest free standing mountain and a great sense of achievement
Serious bragging rights

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a mission any adventurer should attempt to accomplish in their life time. Although it is relatively straight forward to climb Kilimanjaro, it is a challenge.

Annually, approximately 15,000 people attempt to climb Kilimanjaro only 40% reach the summit.

Climbing Kilimanjaro

Continuing around the rim (which will
take about two hours if you are fit) you will arrive at Uhuru Peak at
5895m you will be standing at the summit of Kilimanjaro and Africas
highest point!

At the summit, there is a sign posted by
the Tanzanian government. The sign says:

Congratulations! You are now at Uhuru Peak, Tanzania, 5,895 m.
AMSL. Africa's Highest Point. Worlds Highest Free-Standing Mountain.
One of World's Largest Volcano's. Welcome.

The three easiest routes, Marangu, Rongai and Machame can be climbed by a
person of good health, and require no mountaineering experience. Many
who climb employ altitude-sickness medication and find this to be
helpful in preventing the pounding headaches that plague many trekkers.

Those who travel on the Marangu route usually take 4-5 days to complete
their climb. Huts with cooking facilites, bathrooms, and (sometimes)
electricity are available at the end of each day's journey. The final
part of the climb, from Kibo hut at 15,500 ft. to the summit, is
generally undertaken at night, because the scree is frozen together,
making the climb significantly easier.

Accommodation

Huts with cooking facilities, bathrooms, and (sometimes) electricity are available at the end of each day´s journey. Don´t expect luxury by any means, you will be a hardened adventurer!

Please note: We also arrange your accommodation the night before and after the trek in Moshi! (unless you specify otherwise)

Getting There

Fly in to Kilimanjaro International Airport in Tanzania.

When To Go

When is the best time to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Kilimanjaro has 2 distinct climbing seasons - January to March and June to October.

April to June is a non trekking season due to heavy rains.

The January-to-March trekking season on Kilimanjaro

During the January to March Kilimanjaro Climbing season it is usually colder and there is a much higher probability that there will be snow up the top. During the day, you can expect clearer skies, with only the occasional brief shower. All things considered this is an incredibly beautiful time to climb Kilimanjaro and is usually a little quieter than the other peak season of June to October.
In this latter season the clouds tend to hang around the tree-line following the heavy rains of March to May. Once above this altitude, however, the skies are blue and brilliant and the chance of rain is tiny.

The June-to-October trekking season on Kilimanjaro

Although the June to October season is always the more popular time to climb Kilimanjaro, this is not necessarily a bad thing, For those going solo and wish to meet other groups, this is a great time to do so. The weather is pretty decent at this time of year too.

Price and Dates

€1049 with Airport pick up and pre and post accommodation.
€999 trek only
Please note we do not add on local payments such as park fees (see below) to the price, check other agents small print for actual prices, you may need to budget extra however to hire suitable clothes to climb the mountain.
We include in the price Kilimanjaro park fees

The following are the official park fees for Kilimanjaro:
- Rescue fee US$20 per Kilimanjaro trek
- Kilimanjaro National Park entry fee US$60 per day
- Hut fee (Marangu Route only) US$50 per night
- Porter/guide entrance fees US$1 per person per trip

Dates
2010: July 25th, August 1st, September 1st, October 1st
2011: January 5th, February 1st, March 1st, March 15th, June 15th, July 1st, August 1st, September 1st, October 1st

Included

2 transfers from Moshi/Arusha to Marangu park gate -return
3 meals per day while trekking - Vegetarian/Non-Vegetarian
5 days Kilimanjaro trek- Marangu
4 nights accommodation in camps while trekking Marangu
First and Last night accommodation at standard accommodation hotel in Moshi/Arusha -Bed and Breakfast
All park entrance fees and government levies
English speaking mountain Guide and assistant guides
Porters- a maximum of 2 per client
Airport pick up and pre and post accommodation (upgrade)

Excluded

Gloves, Sun glasses, Sleeping bag, Hats, Rain suits, Warm Jacket, Heavy boots, Scarf's, Rain Trousers, tents
Note: All the above items can be hired at a reasonable price.
Flights (although happy to help arrange)
Visas

3 day safari to the Serengeti, Lake Manyara and Ngorogoro Crater
Zanzibar Extention

You may also be interested in...

The highest point is Uhuru Peak on the volcano Kibo, 5,895 metres. As the highest point in Africa, Uhuru Peak is one of the Seven Summits.
The summit was first reached by the Marangu army scout, Johannes Kinyala Lauwo, who climbed it nine times before realising there was a crater. Lauwo served as a guide for the first ascent by nonindigenous climbers, German Hans Meyer and Austrian Ludwig Purtscheller, on October 6, 1889.
Two other peaks are also extinct volcanoes: Mawenzi (5,149 metres), the third highest peak in Africa (after Mount Kenya) and Shira (3,962 m). Johannes Notch is named after Lauwo.
In 1989 Lauwo was presented with a house at Ashira Marangu by the West German government in recognition of his role on the Meyer expedition. His relative, Trilas Lauwo (1952- ) was the first Tanzanian woman to reach the summit via the Mweka route in 1972. An ascent of Mawenzi requires rock climbing and/or snow/ice climbing skills. The climb to Uhuru Peak is considered to be a relatively straightforward endeavour; however, ample time must still be provided for proper acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness.
Gilman's Point, on the rim of the crater, but about 1,5 hours hike from Uhuru, is attained at 5:00 - 6:00 am; those who have the strength to continue may then hike on to Uhuru in the growing sunlight and rising temperatures.
Another route is the Western Breach, which is much more technical in nature.
The rapidly retreating Furtwongler Glacier is near the summit.
The sign at the top is covered in travel stickers from past trekkers who have left their mark on the top of the peak. Near this famous sign is a box containing a log that many climbers have signed.
Due to the equatorial location as well as huge height, climbers can experience almost every climate type on earth during the journey to the top. Kilimanjaro is also the highest point in the world to be covered by a GSM mobile phone network.
Mount Kilimanjaro was the inspiration and backdrop for Ernest Hemingway´s classic short story The Snows of Kilimanjaro (1936). He also wrote a non-fiction account of his safari experiences in the 1950's, posthumously published as Under Kilimanjaro (2005).
Mount Kilimanjaro is mentioned in Toto's 1982 hit, Africa (I know that I must do what's right, sure as Kilimanjaro rises like Olympus above the Serengeti).

We also run several other gap year climbing programmes.

Itinerary for Kilimanjaro Climb-Marangu Route 5 Days 4 Nights

DAY 1: Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)
After breakfast, transfer to Marangu gate and start the climb through fascinating rain forests till you reach the first hut Mandara. Meals and overnight at the hut. (9,000ft).

DAY 2: Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
After breakfast, follow the ascending path through the alpine – meadow. The altitude begins to change and slowdown your pace while enjoying the flora and the view of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at the Horombo Hut 12km from Mandara. Meals and overnight at the hut. (12,520ft).

DAY 3: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
After breakfast, resume the climb, the landscape becomes rugged and rocky. Lobelias begin to appear. Climb to Kibo Hut. Meals and overnight at the hut. (15,520ft)

DAY 4: SUMMIT ATTEMPT!!

Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
The beginning of the last ascent is made in the wee hrs of the morning while the scree is still frozen. Climb the very steep part of the route to GILMANS POINT (most difficult and tiring part). UHURU PEAK is reached within an hour's walk along the crater rim. (19,344ft). Start the walk along the craters rim. (19,344ft). Start the descent to Horombo hut for overnight

DAY 5: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Return to a hotel in Moshi/Arusha. After lunch, have a good rest, meals and overnight at your hotel.

DAY 6: After breakfast, depart for your next destination, which is optional, either safari, airport or shuttle to Nairobi.

Meals: Breakfast

What you need to know to climb Kilimanjaro

Bring the right equipment. An essential part of your preparation will be to ensure that you are well equipped for your summit attempt.

Be physically prepared

It is important that your body is adequately prepared for the physical challenges of Mount Kilimanjaro. It will be a long trek especially at the top where the air is thin, stretching and not rushing is very important.

Mental preparation

It is possible to summit Kilimanjaro successfully. Many before you have succeeded. This should be topmost in your mind when preparing for the summit attempt. You should always remain in a positive state of mind, but not overly arrogant. Try to anticipate various different scenarios, which you may possibly encounter on the mountain and try to work out the most suitable course of action, mentally by yourself or even as a group. Your mental stamina will, with out a doubt, make the really difficult sections, like from Kibo to Uhuru or from Barafu to Uhuru, easier to complete. Adequate travel insurance

Make sure that you have adequate travel and medical insurance, which will also provide you with cover for the climb up Kilimanjaro.

During the Trek

Go slowly - "Pole Pole" as they say in Swahili! This is also very important during your first days of climbing. Even if you feel well, slow down and enjoy the scenery. This is important to acclimatise your body to the altitude. Remember you are attempting to walk in to space, this can have side effects (mountain sickness) so go slow and minimise the risk.

Drink enough water

Make sure that you drink at least 3 - 4 liters of liquid a day - preferably water. For your first day it is recommended that you take along fresh water, which may be purchased at the hotel in Moshi before your climb. Try to get the bottles with the screw tops, this way you will also have containers in which to take water further up the mountain. Running water on the mountain is safe to drink from day-2 onwards, but care should still be taken. If you are not used to fresh water in nature, prevent any inconvenience by using water purification tablets. REMEMBER! A functioning "body water balance" is one of the keys to a successful climb!

Walk high - sleep low

If possible and especially on your acclimatisation day "walk high - sleep low" Try to do a short evening stroll to a higher altitude and then descend to sleep at the camp at a lower altitude. This is essential on your acclimatisation day.

Climb light

Climb as lightly as possible, this becomes even more important on your summit night.

Extra weight will slow you down and will also make breathing more difficult.

Packing

Remember that you will be on the mountain for at least 5 or 6 days. You need to take enough clothing, especially socks to last for this period. Due to frequent rainfall as well as numerous streams on the routes, it is advisable to pack items individually in your bag. These individually packed items should be wrapped in plastic bags to prevent them from getting wet in case of rain or of being accidentally dropped in a stream.

Clothing

You will require the correct underwear, thermal hiking socks, gloves (preferably mittens), warm head protection, rain coat, sunglasses and sun protection cream. Also remember your hiking boots, hiking/running shoes (it is not necessary to walk with boots or climbers shoes until the last sections where scree and rocks are encountered), and very importantly, a walking stick / ski-pole. One of the most critical items of clothing is a an outer jacket. You want it to perform the functions of keeping you warm, protect you at temperatures of as low as minus 25 degrees Celsius, keep the wind out and yet still "breath". Try to avoid tight fitting clothing or underwear. This will hamper circulation, causing either cold or discomfort on the mountain. A balaclava is a must, as it will protect your face against cold, wind, sun and snow. Other clothing like shorts, sweaters and T-shirts are strongly recommended, especially during hiking on the lower slopes, when the day temperatures are still high.

The only way to ensure that you are dressed warmly is to follow the principal of wearing the correct clothing layers, starting from against the body. A common mistake made by climbers is to wear almost everything they have and to start off with cotton against the skin. Cotton absorbs moisture perfectly, and moisture trapped against the skin will result in a definite lowering of the body temperature, which could even lead to hypothermia. It is therefore very important to use proper thermal underwear with "wicking" properties (a fabric which has the ability to draw moisture away from the body) and thus enabling it to evaporate to the outside. The middle layer should provide the insulation and a product like polar fleece will be adequate in this regard. The outer layer should be windproof, waterproof and breathable. Products like Ventex, Goretex or Jeantex offer these properties. Short of altitude and physical exertion, cold is one of the most serious obstacles when attempting to summit Kilimanjaro. After securing your booking with us, you'll receive a comprehensive document, to guide you through the steps of purchasing the correct gear.

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS)

AMS commonly affects people at high altitude, who are not accustomed to high altitude conditions. AMS can be lethal if not treated immediately or if its symptoms are ignored. Probably 70% of all people climbing Kilimanjaro will suffer to some extent from AMS. You should familiarise yourself with this condition and take preventative measures.

Malaria

Malaria occurs below 1800 meters and you should use the recommended prophylactics. Please consult your doctor about these. Currently, there are various preventative medication products available which will be effective against the malaria strains currently found in Tanzania. Women using oral contraceptives should consult their physicians before using prophylactics.

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