Kilimanjaro Climb Via Marangu Route
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Kilimanjaro Climb Via Marangu Route

Key Infomation

  • Duration:8 Days
  • Trip GradeStrenuous
  • DestinationTIA Kathmandu
  • Max Altitude5,895 m
  • ActivityClimbing, Trekking & Hiking
  • Group Size1-10
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Tanzania is fortunate to have a rich environment and breathtaking scenery. The renowned Kilimanjaro climb takes place in this lovely location. Due to its direct path and incline which is more gentle than other routes on the mountain, Marangu is preferred by many adventurers. The Marangu Route commonly referred to as the "Tourist Trail" or the "Coca-Cola Route," is the oldest and original route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is one of the most popular routes because it is the only route on the summit that offers climbers access to hut accommodations. Pillows and mattresses are typically provided for climbers by trip providers. However, trekkers must bring their sleeping bags. The initial Kilimanjaro ascent route was constructed along this path. Due to the excessive number of climbers who attempt the route in just five days and fail due to inadequate acclimatization, it has the lowest success rate (42%). Because it follows the same ascent and descent path, the Marangu Route is less scenic than the others. 

Though some climbers prefer to stay in huts rather than camp, the dormitory-style huts have a communal dining area. On the Marangu Route, you will be sharing the hut with many other climbers in open dormitory arrangements. Mount Kilimanjaro is approached by the route from the southeast. Since there aren't many steep climbs, the route is generally not too difficult. Because you ascend and descend along the same path, this route is less picturesque than the other Kilimanjaro routes. The scenery is still very delightful, though. You travel through a rainforest, an icy summit, a high-altitude desert, and a moorland. This route is among the best for climbing Kilimanjaro during the rainy season due to the hut accommodations. Before we begin our trek on a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest, our crew members pack and prepare our supplies and luggage once we arrive at Marangu Gate for registration. We depart from Mandara Hut after a lovely night there and head toward Horombo Hut. Horombo's extra day and night are perfect for proper acclimatization. We walk to reach Kibo Hut from Horombo Hut. We start to push for the summit after a decent rest in Kibo Hut, which requires a lot of physical and mental work.

Due to its gradual slope and straightforward path, the Marangu Route is a very popular option among the seven Kilimanjaro routes. It can be crowded because it is a busy route. However, if you'd rather simply avoid camping and stay in a cozy hut, this is the best option for you. Because you'll be returning in just 6 days after climbing to the top of Uhuru, you'll need to be in good physical condition for this 8-day trek. Also, the six-day trek comprises an additional night at Horombo Hut and a quick, three to four-hour day hike to Zebra Rocks, which has an elevation gain of only 280m.

Highlights of Kilimanjaro Climbing via Marangu Route 

  • Ascend Mount Kilimanjaro to Uhuru Peak, the world's tallest freestanding summit
  • Explore Africa's diverse cultures, unique ethnicities, and friendly people
  • You travel through a rainforest, an icy summit, a high-altitude desert, and a moorland
  • Accommodations in dormitories in mountain huts
  • Enjoy the varied terrains of Tanzania
  • Scale the highest mountain in Africa's most comfortable and simple way to its summit
  • Since this path is uncomplicated, anyone can participate in this breathtaking journey without prior hiking experience
  • A simple and cost-effective way to reach the "Roof of Africa" summit
  • An additional day is reserved for acclimatization at Horombo Hut

The Difficulty of Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

The Marangu Route is one of the easiest routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro compared to other routes. According to professional mountaineers, technical climbs are ones that necessitate a specific level of ability, expertise, or equipment. It is essential to remember that Mount Kilimanjaro is not a particularly challenging peak. This adventure would be made difficult by the high altitude. With the proper guidance, acclimatization, rest, and understanding of the routes, you would be able to achieve your objective. Thanks to the wonderful itinerary we've arranged, your body will have plenty of time to acclimatize. In addition, because you must walk for 5-7 hours every day to complete this ascent, you must be in average physical condition. Read more about Difficulty Level of Kilimanjaro here.

Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro

Yes, Kilimanjaro can be climbed throughout the year, but the Tanzania monsoon season can make it challenging. March through June and October through December often get the most rainfall. Parts of the trail are coated in mud and dirt as a result of this season's excessive rainfall. The dry season is the optimal time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. From June through October, the weather is considerably more favorable for climbing. Following the onset of the southeast monsoon, there are around three months of dry weather, which is great for climbing Kilimanjaro and enjoying the clear skies. Between January and March, there is a second pause in the rainy season. This is the cooler of the two climbing seasons, increasing the possibility that snow may cover the summit of Kibo.

Facts About Kilimanjaro 

  • With more than 80% of their mass lost since 1912, the mountain's snow crowns are thinning. In fact, according to scientists, they might be entirely free of ice within the next 20 years
  • Kilimanjaro's glaciers are thought to be about 11,700 years old
  • Sheila MacDonald, a woman from Scotland, was the first female to achieve the summit
  • The highest free-standing mountain in the world and the tallest mountain on the African continent is Mount Kilimanjaro
  • Mawenzi, Shira, and Kibo are the three volcanic cones found on Kilimanjaro. The highest mountain, Kibo, remains dormant and has the potential to erupt again, while Mawenzi and Shira are extinct
  • On the journey, you will find nearly every type of natural system, including cultivated land, rain forest, heath, moorland, highland desert, and an arctic mountaintop.

The Marunga Route is an option for those seeking a more genuine high-altitude hiking and climbing experience. Those with a higher risk tolerance should use this option. Footprint Adventure provides a qualified local guide, the best price, and exceptional service when it comes to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

You'll See

Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail
Marangu Trail

Itinerary

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Here is the complete itinerary of the Mt. Kilimanjaro Climb from the Marangu Route. If you are looking for your own customized itinerary, feel free to contact us anytime. 

To get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, hikers must arrange their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will set up a private transfer for you from JRO to your hotel. You will meet your local Footprint representative that evening or early the next morning and receive comprehensive pre-climb instruction.

  • Accommodation Panama Garden Hotel
  • MealsWelcome Dinner
  • Maximum Altitude894 m

Usually, you will be transported from Moshi to the gate, which takes about an hour and passes via the Marangu village. You will register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities at the entrance and meet your trekking crew. The hike begins with an ascent through a lovely tropical jungle. The forest covered in mist and dripping with moss beards is also home to the majority of Kilimanjaro's wildlife. The second day is a slow trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest that takes between 5 and 7 hours to accomplish. We will spend the night in Mandara Hut, where A-framed wooden shelters will be available for our accommodation.

  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Time5-6 hours
  • Maximum Altitude2,700 m

This is an additional acclimatization day that can be spent hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. This is a 3-hour ascent and 1.5-hour descent. It will help with acclimatization, thus we strongly recommend it.

  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • TimeFull Day
  • Maximum Altitude3,720 m

Early in the morning, you will leave Horombo Hut and go on a 10-kilometer, 1,000-meter ascent to Kibo Hut. There are two ways to reach Kibo. The top path branches to the right. You will likely select the path on the lower left because it is simpler and about an hour shorter. This route will take you past the last water source at 4,130 meters. Be sure to refill your water supplies here, as the next watering spot is not until you return to Horombo Hut from the summit (you can buy bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut).

You will be served an early dinner at Kibo Hut since you must wake up at 23:30 to begin the 1,150-meter climb to Uhuru Peak.

  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Time6-8 hours
  • Maximum Altitude4,750m

At midnight, we commence our ascent to the summit. At this time and altitude, the wind and cold can be intense. This section of the journey is the most mentally and physically demanding. The approach to the first checkpoint, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters, follows a rough trail. It then continues for another 3 hours till you reach Gilman's Point on Kibo's Crater Rim (5,681 meters). Concentrate on moving slowly and carefully for the remaining 200 meters of ascent.

After a brief stop at the summit of Uhuru Peak, we descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we have our final meal on the mountain before retiring for the night.

  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Time6-8 hours to the summit and 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut
  • Maximum Altitude5,895 m

The distance between Horombo Hut and Marangu Gate is about 20 kilometers however, it often takes only seven hours to travel this distance. At Marangu Gate, depending on how far you made it, you will receive a certificate for either Uhuru Peak or Gilman's Point. We travel another hour from the gate to reach Mweka Village. A vehicle will pick us up in Mweka Village and transport us to our hotel in Moshi for a well-earned rest and celebration. 

  • Accommodation Panama Garden Hotel
  • MealsBreakfast, Lunch & Dinner
  • Time5-7 hours
  • Maximum Altitude1,830 m

On this day you will head back to your origin destination after a good farewell at the JRO Airport.

    What's Included

    Included  Excluded
    • Park fees and park rescue fees
    • In mountain huts, dormitory accommodations are available
    • Professional English-speaking guide(s), porters & chefs during the climbing 
    • All camping equipment such as mountain tents, mattresses
    • Full board meal during the climbing (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
    • Water, tea, and coffee with meals during the climbing
    • 2 nights hotel in Moshi Budget Hotel
    • Tanzanian Visa fee
    • Increases in park fees where applicable
    • International and domestic fights 
    • Personal equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking gear, and trekking equipment 
    • Soda, alcohol, and other hard drinks 
    • Travel Insurance
    • Any other personal expenses which are not mentioned above

    Additional Info

    Weather and Climate

    Depending on location, altitude, and topography, the climate of a southern equatorial African nation varies throughout the year. The weather at the beach is often hot and humid, dominated by tropical conditions. While the high-altitude region gets colder over the year, the northern side remains frosty. The entire year, the central part of Tanzania is dry and desert.

    Popular Full Moon Climb

    On days with a full moon, a large number of individuals scale Mount Kilimanjaro. Therefore, during this peak travel season, travelers are patiently awaiting departure. When climbing during a full moon, intense moonlight illuminates the surrounding area, revealing the beautiful glacier. Additionally, the stunning vistas from Mt. Kino are more evident on full moon days. An additional advantage of climbing Kilimanjaro with a full moon is enhanced visibility of the mountain's trekking passes, especially when attempting to reach the summit.

    Food in Kilimanjaro Climb

    Our daily meals feature fresh fruits and vegetables by necessity. Before you depart the mountain, you have the opportunity to enjoy local Tanzanian dishes like Machalari and Njegere. Typically, a nutritious breakfast consists of porridge, sausage, eggs, and toast with jam. Our cooks constantly give extra food to ensure that everyone has a satisfying supper. Depending on your plan, lunch is either packed for you or we make a stop for a hot meal. Dinners consist of abundant rice, pasta, potatoes, chicken curry, and delectable soup, followed by a delectable dessert like pancakes with syrup or chocolate jam. During your camping trips, the chef and his staff make your meals in a kitchen tent using a kerosene burner (open fires are not permitted on the mountain). We are able to accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets.

    Popular Things To Do 

    Tanzania is renowned for its wildlife safaris and for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in particular. The famous Serengeti National Park and the Kilimanjaro highlands are additional attractions. Tanzania's beaches, drinks, and Zanzibar Islands are additional attractions to enjoy after the climb.

    Other Alternative Routes To Climb Kilimanjaro 

    There are multiple routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Unlike other notable mountains, there are several routes to the peak. There are not even three or four options. To reach Africa's tallest peak, you must ascend seven distinct paths! Each climbing route presents its own challenges, perspectives, and durations. Thankfully, the fact that the majority of climbers pick one of the three main routes—the Machame Route, the Marangu Route, or the Rongai Route—makes things considerably simpler.

    Difficulty

    Although many are encouraged to assume that this is one of the easiest routes, it is actually considered challenging due to the rapid ascent. This is particularly true on the 5-day schedule, where many individuals suffer from inadequate acclimatization. The 6-day option is easier, but still necessitates a high level of physical fitness. 

    Accommodation

    Moshi is the location of all of our pre- and post-climb accommodations. When your hotel's base is B&B, you can typically purchase snacks and meals at the hotel, which can be paid for in Tanzanian Shillings or frequently in U.S. Dollars. We cannot guarantee that the hotel will have hot showers throughout your stay because both water and electricity supply interruptions are still common. The hotel will assist as much as possible, but it has no control over these interruptions. The Marangu route is the only route on Mount Kilimanjaro that utilizes mountain huts rather than tents. The majority of rooms are small and have four bunk beds. The huts at Kibo are more dormitory-style, accommodating up to 20 individuals. The park staff provides mattresses, sheets, and pillows, but you must bring a sleeping bag. The rooms have solar-powered lights but no plug sockets and meals are served in a dining room. Mandara and Horombo Huts are equipped with restrooms with cold running water.

    Luggage

    Kilimanjaro National Park has a rigorous limit of 15 kilograms for each porter for the primary equipment pack. Before you leave the hotel to begin the ascent, your bag will be weighed, and if it is too heavy, you will be required to remove the goods and leave them at the hotel. Additional porters are available for a daily fee of $25. On June 1, 2019, Tanzania outlawed the use of single-use plastic bags. Passengers who arrive at the airport with plastic bags in their luggage may be required to handover them over.

    FAQs

    Q1. When Is The Best Season To Climb The Kilimanjaro Marangu Route?

    Tanzania has both dry and rainy seasons. March through June and November or December are the months with the most rainfall. The best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the dry months of July to September and January to February.

    Mount Kilimanjaro is certainly a mountain with a high altitude, despite the fact that each Kilimanjaro climbing path presents its own challenges and adventures. According to the data of the Climb Kilimanjaro Guide team, on average, 65 percent of climbers reach the summit using all routes. On the Marangu Route, Footprint Adventure has a remarkable success rate of over 85 percent, which is remarkable considering that different operators have varying success rates based on a variety of factors.

    Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed without prior climbing experience or technical mountaineering expertise. For the ascent via the Marangu Route, one must be fit and healthy and, preferably engage in daily physical activity. Despite the fact that not all beginner climbers are successful, it is possible for climbers to achieve their goals with sufficient rest and acclimatization.

    The summit of Mount Kilimanjaro (Uhuru Point) is located in the glacier zone, where the average daytime temperature is -6°C (21°F). The nighttime temperature ranges from -7 to -28 degrees Celsius.

    The Lemosho Route, Northern Circuit, Shira, Machame, Marangu, Rongai, and Umbwe are the seven established routes to Mount Kilimanjaro's highest summit. The Northern Circuit is the longest route with very little traffic, whereas Umbwe is the shortest and steepest, making it difficult and dangerous.

    The Lemosho Route will require porters. KINAPA asserts that without porters, climbers cannot reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. To assist climbers on Mount Kilimanjaro, porters must possess a valid registration certificate. Porters, who carry all the food, camping gear, and climbers' belongings, are the backbone of the Kilimanjaro climb. Many climbers would have difficulty without porters. Climbers reserve Kilimanjaro with a reputed company in order to ensure that porters are handled appropriately. 

    We advise using sleeping bags with a minimum temperature rating of 0°F to -20°F. However, a sleeping bag that is rated at - 20°F to - 30°F would be the most suitable for your climb of Kilimanjaro.

    Altitude sickness is the main reason climbers fail to reach the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. This illness is caused by the body's reaction to the low quantities of oxygen in the atmosphere. If a climber gets altitude sickness owing to a shortage of oxygen while attempting to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, supplementary oxygen may be required. However, taking more oxygen than necessary could have severe health consequences. When a person suffers from altitude sickness at altitudes above 23,000 feet, supplemental oxygen is frequently administered.

    You will find that the Kilimanjaro climb takes you to higher altitudes considerably faster than the Everest Base Camp Trek. Depending on the route, ascending Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 ft) from Moshi (2,932 ft) requires four to six days and a gain of more than 16,000 ft in height. Mount Kilimanjaro has an overall success percentage of 65%, whereas the success rate for reaching Everest Base Camp is above 90%. Due to Kilimanjaro's rapid ascent and tremendous altitude rise, it is more difficult to climb than Everest Base Camp.

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