East Africa: Mount Kilimanjaro Climb (Marangu Route)

Probably no other mountain in the world has the same mystique and appeal of Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa at 19,340 ft. (5,900m). It is also the highest mountain on earth that is not part of a mountain range and its snow-capped peak hovers majestically over the African plain. This is a very challenging but rewarding trek!

This is the easiest and the most popular route up Kilimanjaro with excellent well-defined trails. Marangu is the classic trail with comfortable mountain huts and good facilities intermittently spaced at ideal locations. The hikers’ summit is Gillman’s Point — 5685m on the crater rim, but more energetic hikers can continue on to Uhuru Peak — 5896m, the actual summit and the highest point on the African continent!

DETAILED ITINERARY:

Day 1: Arrive in Arusha (or Moshi) Tanzania where you will check into a comfortable hotel.

Day 2: Leave after early breakfast, driving to Marangu Park gate (1800m) from where our trek begins. Today’s hike is a leisurely one, following the truck as it meanders through lush green forest, with the possibility of sighting birds and wildlife. Our first camp is Mandara Hut (2750m), a bunkhouse equipped with beds and foam mattresses. Total walking time 4 – 5 hours. From Mandara, you can walk a short distance up to Maundi crater rim from where you can enjoy splendid views of plains, lakes and scenic volcanic formations below.

Day 3: Leave at 7:00am, first walking through the upper forest before you enter the sprawling moorlands, a zone which abounds in giant groundsels, flowers, tussock grasses and many other interesting plants. After a long walk lasting 6 – 7 hours, we arrive at our next camp — Horombo Hut (3720m).

Day 4: Continue with trek, completing the remaining stretch of moorlands to enter the afro-alpine zone. This is a dry and desert-like rocky region.

After replenishing our water reserves in sufficient quantities at the last stream we cross popularly known as the “last water point”, we hike further to Kibo Hut (4700m) at the base of the summit. The total walking time is about 5 – 7 hours, gaining 1000m in altitude. It’s advisable we go to bed early tonight in readiness for the challenging ascent to the summit tomorrow.

Day 5: A long and hard day. We get up at midnight, have a hot beverage then begin the steep and challenging, but exhilarating trek to the summit. From Kibo hut to Uhuru Peak (5896m) is a distance of 4km, taking 7 – 8 hours. Our experienced guide keeps the pace reasonable. We arrive at Gillman’s Point (5685m) in time to catch the fascinating sight of the sun as it rises over the Mawenzi Peak. More energetic hikers can continue trekking for another two hours to Uhuru Peak (5896m), the highest point in Africa. From the summit, we descend to Horombo hut, a distance of 14 km in 5 – 7 hours (a descent of 2200m) for overnight.

Day 6: We descend 18 km in about 5 hours; a descent of 1900m to Marangu park gate, then connect with transfer vehicle off the mountain to our hotel in Arusha (Moshi option available).

Day 7: Trip ends. Begin optional safari or fly home.

Synopsis

Trip Grading:

Departure dates: Any time with a minimum of four people.

Season: the best times are January to March and June to December.

Scheduled group trips 2008/09: Monthly during best seasons.

Land Cost: $1695 USD per person /$1745 CAD

Single Room Supplement: $150 USD / $170 CAD (if requested/required)

Extra Acclimitization Day: $240 USD / $260 CAD (if requested/required)

Cost Includes:

• All transport to and from the mountain by private vehicle
• Accommodation as detailed on the itinerary.
• Services of a private mountain guide, cook and adequate porters to carry both trip provisions and clients private bags.
• National Park entrance, accommodation and camping fees.
• All food and catering equipment – breakfasts, lunches (packed when necessary) and evening meals prepared by our own cook — Special dietary requirements are catered for with prior arrangements at no extra costs.
• Certificate of Achievement/appreciation from us.
• Free storage of excess baggage not required on the mountain hike.
• Crisis management apparatus — VHF 2-way radio, basic first aid kit and an on call vehicle stationed at the base lodge.

Cost Excludes:

• Travel and personal accident insurance.
• Visa, passport, vaccinations, medicines
• Personal Mountain equipment.
• Tips (difficult to avoid in Africa).
• Expenditure on alcoholic drinks, souvenirs and other personal items.
• Optional excursions not detailed in the itinerary.
• Additional optional accommodation added at the base hotel or extra days on the mountain added.
• Treated drinking water other than boiled.
• Extra costs incurred in case of own intentional change of itinerary while already on trek.
• Porters to carry excess of 16Kg. personal luggage per client.

General: Accommodation while on Marangu route climb is in shared National Park mountain lodges. Depending on which National Park lodge and room, there may be as few as 2 bunks or as many as 8 bunks per room. All your equipment will be carried by vehicles or local porters; you only carry a daypack with personal gear. We buy fresh produce locally and to ensure good standards of hygiene all food is prepared by our own staff. We can cater for special dietary requirements and there are no extra food-kitty payments.