Mt Kilimanjaro climbing, trekking. Marangu Route (6 day)

"As wide as all the world, great, high, and unbelievably white in the sun, was the square top of Mount Kilimanjaro" Ernest Hemingway.

 

The first written reference to Mt. Kilimanjaro was by Ptolemy but even so, Africa's highest mountain and the highest free standing mountain in the world remained relatively unknown to the outside world until 1848. Snow capped and shrouded by clouds, the local Chagga people called it 'Kilema Kyaro' meaning 'that which cannot be conquered' or 'that which makes a journey impossible.' Today, it is the dream of every adventurer to conquer its summit and stand on the "roof of Africa."

There are five main routes to the top -- Marangu, Shira, Mweka, Umbwe and Machame. The most popular route is the Marangu Route which starts at the Marangu Gate at 6000 ft. and has huts and facilities along the way. The other routes are more scenic with stunning views of the glaciers.

They are also more challenging for the advanced trekker, requiring special permission and the use of tents. Regardless of the route taken, the vistas are magnificent and the flora and fauna of the different life zones are fascinating.

Rain forests give way to moorlands and alpine meadows until these, too, give way to an alpine desert where lichens cling tenuously to rocks. The landscape, though desolate, is hauntingly beautiful as you walk among the clouds.

The mountain consists of three volcanoes: Shira, Mawenzi and Kibo. Shira became extinct and collapsed leaving a series of rocky ridges on the Shira plateau. Mawenzi is dormant and its jagged peaks require a technical climb. Uhuru Peak, (19,340 ft.) is Kibo's highest peak but one is considered to have "conquered" the mountain by reaching Gillman's Point at 18,635 ft.

Best Times to Go:

January, February and September. These are the drier months and there are fewer hikers.

Clothing/Gear:

Comfortable clothing will suffice for the first two days. However, many underestimate the frigid conditions of the mountain above 12,000 feet. Warm clothing is essential and should include a down-filled parka with hood, fleece shirts, warm pants, waterproof and windproof shell pants, thermal underwear, mittens, wool hat or balaklava and scarf. Good walking shoes and socks are appropriate to about 15,000 feet but sturdy hiking boots with warm socks and sock liners are needed to challenge the summit. At this altitude sun protection is necessary so bring snow goggles, dark glasses, suntan lotion and a hat with a brim to protect your face and neck. Also necessary are your water bottle, sleeping bag, trail mix, energy snacks and candy bars, flashlight, camera with film and personal toiletries including toilet paper. None are available past the park gate.

It is better to bring your own gear. Equipment can be rented at the Marangu gate but the quality may not be the best and you run the risk of having to use shell pants repaired with electrical duct tape!

Children ten and under are allowed to climb to Mandara Hut at 8,858 feet. Otherwise, good health and physical fitness are the only requirements for a Kilimanjaro climb.

Marangu Route (6 day)

This is the easiest route to the summit of Kilimanjaro, sometimes called the Coca-Cola Route. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through forests, moorlands and then across The Saddle, a high-altitude desert separating the main summit, Kibo, 5896m, from craggy Mawenzi, 5149m, to Kibo Hut. From here an early start is made for the ascent to Uhuru Point (the highest top of Kibo). The path zig-zags up steep scree which is easier to climb when frozen. The views from the crater rim at Gillman's Point at dawn can be spectacular. Uhuru Peak lies a further 1h30min. around the rim.

Accommodation on the mountain is in comfortable huts. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes and walking poles. This is a tough walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual used to walking in mountain areas. An extra day for acclimatisation to the altitude is recommended at Horombo from where there are various walks to enjoy.

We will pick you up at the airport and taking you to the Hotel where you can relax by the pool. You will have a guide, a cook and porters to carry your equipment. We organise year round trips on any route.

Day 1 - Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

Leaving Marangu Gate (1980 m) we trek on a wide track to our first night through exotic rain forest and giant heathers. If we are lucky we may spot families of Columbus monkeys in the trees. We walk for 6 hours ascending 700m to Mandara Huts at 2700m. Dinner and overnight at the hut.

Day 2 - Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

We continue our trek through the forest eventually reaching an area of heather, which then turns into moorland. When you get to this stage you will get your first good view of snow capped Kibo and its jagged sister Mawenzi. Camp is at Horombo Hut (3700m). During the day we will have walked about 11 km which will take 5-7 hours and we will have ascended 1000m.

Day 3 - Horombo Hut - acclimatization day

Today is a rest day for acclimatization purposes however for those who wish we can walk up to The Saddle which is the strip of land between Mawenzi and Kibo with good views.

Day 4 - Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

We carry on up and cross the Saddle to Kibo Hut (4700m), which is more basic than the two huts we've stayed in up till now. The walk is over a fairly barren moonscape though the views of Kibo ahead and Mawenzi behind can be stunning when set against a crystal blue sky. The walk is about 10 km will take 5-7 hrs and we will ascend 1000m.

Day 5 - Kibo Hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut

This is an extremely long and challenging day, walking up to 16 hrs. We get up shortly after midnight and climb Kibo for about 6 hrs to Oilman's point (5680m) on the rim of the volcanic crater for sunrise. If the day is clear there are spectacular views over the savannah plains with the possibility of seeing Mt Kenya some 360km away.

We then continue across the snow around the rim for a further 2 hrs for the final push to

Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Africa's highest point. It is a hard hike, but is well worth it to see the glaciers and have your photo taken with a sign confirming your achievement. If you reach Uhuru you will have walked about 4 km for about 7 - 81/2 hours and ascended 1200m.

We go down the way we came back to Gillman's then onto Kibo and then all the way back to Horombo Huts where we will spend another night. This will be another 14km, which will take 41/2 to 7 hrs and will have descended 2200m.

Day 6 - Horombo to Marangu Gate

We retrace our steps with Mandara Hut being a good place to break for lunch. Transport will be waiting at Marangu gate for the journey back to our hotel. Gala Dinner and overnight.

2008 Prices: