Marangu Route, commonly known as the Coca Cola route is more popular because it can be done in fewer days and has permanent sleep huts at the campsites. Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. It is a shorter route with a steeper incline to the summit from Kibo base camp. This is the only route where the ascent and descent route are shared, thus creating more traffic. Duration: 5 or 6 days Difficulty: Medium Scenery: Good Traffic: High.
Start in the morning from the lodge in Moshi; you will make a way to the Marangu Gate, from where the trekking journey begins with all your equipments and belongings will be both organized and packed by the porters while you spend the time on the registration process with the National Park formalities before trek through the rainforest.
On this phase, you should expect and encounter mild rain, fog, and mud. Game viewing opportunities also exist with possible sightings of Colobus monkeys.
You’ll get to reach Mandara Hut after ascending for 3 to 4 hours. Each hut has 6 to 8 sleeping bunk beds. Solar generated lightings are in place inside the huts. Flush toilets are there in central hut.
Porters will arrive at the camp early to arranging drinking and washing water and chef will prepare all the dishes from scratch for the hikers. During night hours, the temperature drops below freezing point and trekkers are advised to be prepared for that.
After breakfast, you will begin the ascent out of the rainforest and into the heathen moorland. You will pass the Maundi Crater and able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater.
In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m).
Just like the previous night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water. Later evening snacks and eventually dinner will be prepared by our chef. As temperature drop below freezing point at this site, be prepared for the cold night.
Distance: 11km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 5 to 6 hours
To begin, you will continue across the heath as it slowly turns into the parched, desolate highlands between Mawenzi and Kibo. The scenery here is littered with huge and small volcanic rocks, acting as a testament to the volcanic activity of years past. The final stretch to the Kibo Huts is very steep and physically challenging.
Once you arrive at the Kibo Huts, it is time to organize your equipment and warm clothes for tomorrow’s journey to the peak. To prevent freezing, keep any water your plan on bringing in a thermos. Get to bed early, as the next day’s trek requires a full night’s sleep worth of energy. You are getting ready to take on Kilimanjaro’s most ultimate challenge.
You will start early, around 11 pm or midnight. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Making it to this section is itself an impressive achievement as the trail is rocky, steep, and located at a higher altitude. On the crater rim, you have Gilman’s Point from where you’ll trek all the way to Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters.
Trail is fully covered with snow and reaching to the summit is an accomplishment of a lifetime. You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Kibo begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot brunch before continue descending down to Horombo for dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. You can present your tips or gifts to the guide, assistant guides, porters, and chefs individually or hand it to their chief. Leaving them behind, you can descend back to Mweka Gate.
It is required by the national park to sign individually on required documents to receive certificate of completion. Hikers who make it to Stella Point at 5685 meters and Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters are presented with certificates. The driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel accommodation in Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.
$670/p
Moshi, Kilimanjaro
+255 782 866 398
+255 782 866 398
info@safariexperttanzania.com
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