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MOUNT KILIMANJARO CLIMBING

Mount Kilimanjaro Climb:
Marangu Route is affectionately known as "Coca-Cola route". It is the most popular route-to the summit. Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro, the oldest and most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path up the mountain, given its gradual slope.
This is because the Marangu-route is the least expensive route and it is possible to do in 5 days. This is not always the best way because of a shorter period of acclimatization. One more extra day for acclimatization extends the route to a 6-day trek, and therefore greatly increasing your chances of success to Uhuru Peak. Accommodation on Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers a sleeping in dormitory-huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route. All your equipment and supplies are pottered and a cook prepares all your meals.

Day 1: Nairobi – Arusha/Moshi- Town:
Depart Nairobi at 08:00hrs after breakfast for Moshi travelling in a tourist’s shuttle-bus with a brief stop at Namanga border town of Kenya and Tanzania for visa formalities. Proceed to Arusha for lunch then to Moshi arriving late afternoon. Dinner and overnight in Moshi hotel.

Day 2: Moshi Hotel – Marangu-Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Depart after breakfast and drive to Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 45 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. Your first stop will be at Mandara hut for your lunches then proceed to Horombo Hut late in the evening for dinner and overnight. After lunch at Mandara hut, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. evening meal and overnight.

Day 3: Horombo hut (3720m)     Acclimatization day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut.

Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)
After breakfast proceed and ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo climb towards Mawenzi hut which is recommended and passes through watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night's time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!!

Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Horombo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 5: (Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.

From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction - you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman's Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at Moshi or Arusha hotels.

Package Cost Per Person: US$ 1,250.

Climbers' package-Cost includes:
•    First and last night accommodation in Arusha/ Moshi towns before and after mountain climbing based on bed and breakfast only.
•    Transfer from your hotel to the starting point of your climb, and return to your hotel on the last day after your successful climb
•    All the Park government Gate Fees
•    All the camping equipments fees
•    Rescue fees (Mount Kilimanjaro rescue team fees)
•    Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cooks
•    Salaries for mountain crew as per guidelines set by KINAPA (Kilimanjaro National Parks)
•    All the Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and hot-drinks while on the mountain
•    Accommodation in Mountain huts
•    Climbing permit
•    Certificate for your successful summit attempt
•    Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
•    Government climbing taxes
•    Travel info pack

Excluded on the package cost:
•    Return airport transfers between Kilimanjaro Intl Airport and town
•    Optional but highly recommended Portable toilet (Portable toilet not allowed on the Marangu route)
•    Items of a personal nature
•    Tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$50 to US$ 100 per hiker - depending on number of days / how many hikers in the group and route chosen)
•    Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
•    Health requirements (Yellow Fever - compulsory, Meningitis & Hepatitis A optional but recommended)
•    Optional travel insurance
•    Personal hiking/trekking gear
•    Airfares and departure taxes
•    Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets