Mt Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route Trek

Mt Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route Trek 7 Days

From $1799 USD

Trip URL: www.adventurelink.com/

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Overview

Highlights

Duration: 7 Days
Comfort: 33.3333333333333%
Language: English
Rating: 0%
Trip ID: 126808
Start Location: Moshi, Tanzania
End Location: Moshi, Tanzania

Guaranteed:
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Primary Activities: Trekking
Other Activities: Local Culture
Activity Level: Advanced

At 5895m, Mt Kilimanjaro is Africa's highest peak and this adventure along the Marangu Route will get you to the top safely, quickly and with your budget in mind. Overnight in mountain huts and awake ready to conquer the slopes. As a leader in Kili treks, we'll take you to new heights in adventure on your way to the roof of Africa. Affectionately known as the Coca-Cola Route, Marangu covers forests, moorlands and 'The Saddle', a high-altitude desert, on its way to Kibo Hut. This is the easiest route to summit—with a catch. The trail is well maintained but because of the quick ascent, the success rate is not as high as other routes.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Moshi: Arrive in Moshi and make your way to the hotel. Attend a pre-departure meeting with your local guide to go over last minute details of the trip.
Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (B,L,D): Hiking Time: 5-6 hrs
Total Distance: 12km
Starting Altitude: 1980m
Final Altitude: 2743m
Habitat: Montane forest

After breakfast and a short briefing from the guide, transfer to the gates of Kilimanjaro National Park (it is a 45-minute drive from Moshi to the Marangu Gate). Upon registering with park authorities, begin the 4 hour walk to the Mandara encampment. Pass through a thick rainforest zone, where there is a high chance of rain in the afternoon. Spend the night at Mandara Hut (2743m), an attractive collection of buildings. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Most days the hiking will begin early in the morning. You will hike for about 5 to 6 hours each day. The guides will take you at a moderate pace, so as to allow you time to acclimatize to the altitude changes. Your guides will continually repeat the words, “pole pole” (po-ly, po-ly), which means “go slowly” in Swahili.

The lower terrain is gorgeous and fascinating, as we will pass through a thick rainforest zone, stopping at the Mandara Hut. Over the next two days you will continue your ascent to the saddle of Kilimanjaro. From up here the views are vast and beautiful. As the camps have limited activities, you should take advantage of your time on the hikes to take in all the scenery and great views.
Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (B,L,D): Hiking Time: 6 hrs
Total Distance: 15km
Starting Altitude: 2700m
Final Altitude: 3720m
Habitat: Moorland

Continue the ascent through the temperate forest zone for a short time, before reaching the heather and moorland zone at roughly 3000m. Enjoy stunning views of the mountain peaks at this altitude. Spend the night at Horombo Hut (3720m), which lies in a valley surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsel, flora which are characteristic of this semi-alpine zone. Bathrooms are available with running water.
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (B,L,D): Hiking Time: 6 hrs
Total Distance: 15km
Starting Altitude: 3720m
Final Altitude: 4703m
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Continue today past the final watering point, and ascend onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mwenzi. Notice the vegetation thinning out and enter the desert-like alpine zone (approximately 4000m) and, after crossing the saddle, Kibo peak comes into view. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. This walk will be taken at a slow pace, be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. Spend the night at Kibo Hut (4703m), a comfortable stone construction (no running water at Kibo Hut). This semi-desert zone receives an annual rainfall of under 250mm; the ground often freezes at night, but the temperature soars to above 30 degrees by day. Few plants other than lichens and grasses survive in these conditions.
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut (B,L,D): Hiking Time: 14 hrs
Total Distance: 27km
Starting Altitude: 4700m
Final Altitude: 3720m (via 5895m)
Habitat: Stone Scree and ice capped summit

Shortly after midnight, commence the climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, since it is easier to climb the scree slope to Gillman's Point (5861m) on the crater rim when it is frozen. This early start improves the chances of reaching the summit in time for sunrise. From Gilman's Point, it is a further 3 hour round trip along the crater's edge to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Though how high you go will depend on how you feel. Upon completion of the climb, your guide will begin your decent as quickly as possible, taking you down to Horombo Hut to spend your last night on the mountain.
Day 6: Descent - Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi (B,L,D): Hiking Time: 6 hrs
Total Distance: 27km
Starting Altitude: 3720m
Final Altitude: 1980m
Habitat: Montane forest

Continue the descent past the Mandara encampment to the bottom of the mountain where each hiker will receive a well-earned certificate. Transfer by shuttle bus to Moshi and spend the night in deserved comfort.
Day 7: Depart Moshi (B): Tour ends at approximately 08:00 am. Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described above, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable to make alterations. On Day 1 of your tour you will be advised of any amendments.

Nuts & Bolts

Trip Includes

Guided group trek up Mt. Kilimanjaro Marangu route with local guides, cooks, porters.
6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 5 Dinners.
Simple hotel (2 nts), mountain hut (4 nts).
Private minibus, trekking by foot.
Chief Experience Officer (CEO), certified mountain guide throughout, local representative, cook, porters.
Small group experience; Max 12, Avg 10

Trip Excludes

USD40-50 for meals and drinks (including bottled water)
Travel insurance
Departure tax
Visas
Tips and gratuities
Airport transfers
International airfare
Personal expenses
Fees for Optional Activities

Trip ID#: 126808

CANCELLATIONS: 20% cancellation fee applied if cancelled 60 days prior to departure. Cancellations within 60 days are 100% non-cancelable

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