Marangu – “Coca Cola” Route:
The Marangu route is also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.And the minimum numbers of days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.
Though, regardless of its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Marangu is favored only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro which we do not prefer most Otherwise, the Marangu route is a good choice for climbers.
DAY 01: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha.
Distance: 43 Km
Time: 45 Minutes
Welcome to Tanzania.On arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport you’ll meet your company arranged driver who will transfer you to Arusha city to Green Mountain Hotel for dinner and overnight. Our driver will display your name on an Mupana Tours signboard. These procedures ensure that you are picked up by the correct driver, rather than by some of the airport taxi drivers who are looking for business. You’ll get a chance for Mountain Trekking & Safari briefing/introduction before your dinner.
- Meals: Dinner and Overnight
- Accommodation: Green Mountain Hotel
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 02: Arusha to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast at 07.00 you’ll depart from Arusha to Moshi at Marangu gate around 11,00 for necessary registering before starting Mountain Trekking. You’ll start the walk in late morning, the hiking trail begins by ascending a beautiful, tropical rain forest. At the upper edge of the forest line, you have the opportunity to see blue monkeys and also you’ll be able to admire the rain forest vegetation on the ascent. Dinner is served at 19.30 Mandara Hut.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Mandura Hut (8,858 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 03: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heath
After early breakfast at 07,00 before 08,00 you’ll leave the glades of the rain forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing to your naked eyes to view. On the way you’ll enjoy your picnic lunch at 13.00, Look for giant lobelias and groundswells. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude and if you are lucky enough to have a clear day, you should get the first chance to see the snow-capped peak of Kibo and also the distinctive Mawenzi peak. Like Mandara, Horombo also consists of A-Frame huts and caters for those on the way up the mountain and those on the way back down. Once again, you will be in dormitory accommodation.. Dinner will be served at 18.00 Horombo Hut.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut (12,205 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 04: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,400 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Heath
Today you choose to take the southern (left-hand) route. On this path you take the opportunity to fill up your water reserves at the Maua River as the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heath land but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner tonight is at 17.30 Kibo Hut and you’re advised to get to bed early, in preparation for the midnight departure for the summit.
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Kibo Hut (14,400 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 05: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), began to climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, you’ll now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here you descend, stopping for your delicious picnic lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you’ll need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
- Meals: Breakfast- Picnic lunch box and Dinner
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut (12,205 ft)
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 06: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Distance: 20 km/12 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After tasty breakfast from your private chef, a steady descent will take you down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Mupana Tours Vehicle will be waiting you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha city for hot shower and celebration before dinner and overnight!
- Meals: Dinner and Overnight
- Accommodation: Green Mountain Hotel
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 07 : Arusha to Lake Manyara National Park.
Distance: 101 Km
Non – game viewing time: 2-3 hrs
After tasty breakfast from your hotel the tour will departs to Lake Manyara National Park. First stop is Arusha Town for any last minute purchases before you head off on safari.Lake Manyara National Park offers breathtaking views and a large variety of habitats. Acacia woodlands, water forests, baobab strewn cliffs, algae-streaked hot springs, swamps and the lake itself. And thanks to this the small Park is able to support a large number of animal species and incredible bird life. Manyara has the largest concentration of baboons anywhere in the world, also include Buffalo, Elephant Wildebeest, Zebra, Waterbuck, Warthog, Impala and also Manyara health population lion are famous for their tree-climbing antics.
- Meals: Breakfast-Lunch and Dinner.
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 08: Lake Manyara to Ngorongoro Crater
Distance: 51 Km
Non – game viewing time: 1 hrs
After early breakfast you’ll leave to Karatu via the beautiful high lying farmland of Karatu, after 1 hour you’ll arrival in Ngorongoro Conservation Area stop at the gate for registration. You’ll descend over 600 meters into the crater to view wildlife for a half day’s safari tour. Supported by a year round water supply and fodder, the Ngorongoro National Park supports a vast variety of animals, which include herds of wildebeest, zebra, buffalo, eland, warthog, hippo, and giant African elephants. Another big draw card to this picturesque national park is its dense population of predators, which include lions, hyenas, jackals, cheetahs and the ever-elusive leopard, which sometimes requires a trained eye to spot. You’ll visit Lake Magadi, a large but shallow alkaline lake in the southwestern corner, which is one of the main features of the crater; you’ll have your picnic lunch in the crater. A large number of flamingos, hippos and other water birds can usually been seen here. Late afternoon drive from Ngorongoro Crater to Karatu to Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge for Dinner and Overnight.
- Meals: Breakfast-Lunch and Dinner.
- Accommodation: Ngorongoro Forest Tented Lodge
- Guide: Professional English speaking guide.
DAY 09: Karatu to Tarangire National Park to Arusha-Airport (JRO)
Distance:130Km
Non – game viewing time: 2 – 3 hrs
After breakfast the tour departs to the Tarangire National Park for a game drive with picnic lunch at the park. Tarangire is well known for its huge elephant population and baobab trees. It forms the center of an annual migratory cycle that includes up to 3000 elephants, 25,000 wildebeest and 30,000 zebras. In Tarangire National Park northern Tanzania’s you will enjoy finest birding. The low baobab-clad plains and fever-tree groves here support many cool species including three Tanzanian endemics and near-endemics: Over 550 birds species found in the park including Ashy Starling, Yellow-collared Lovebird, and Rufus-tailed Weaver. The lush grasses are full of ground birds like Northern White-bellied Bastard and both Red-necked and Yellow-necked Francolins and many others. Early afternoon you’ll drive back to Arusha to Kilimanjaro Airport at 17:30 where you’ll board your International Flight 19.30 back to your lovely country.
TOUR INCLUDES.
Mupana Tours – Transport:
Coaster Bus
Mupana Tours – Trip Crew:
* Mupana Tours mountain guide
* Mupana Tours mountain chef
* Mupana Tours mountain porters
Mupana Tours Treat
8 Breakfast, 7 Lunch & 6 Dinner
3 Safari Breakfast, 3 Safari Lunch & 2 Safari Dinner
Treated Drinking Water
Accommodation:
2 night in Arusha, 6 nights on the Mountain
2 night during safari
Park Entrance Fee:
Park Fee
Camp Fee
Camping Equipment:
* Sleeping Tents
* Dinning Tents
* Sleeping mattress
* Utensils
* Tables and chairs
Award:
Certificate of Achievement if you reach Gilman’s point(5681M), Stella point(5685M) or Uhuru point(5895M).
TOUR EXCLUDES.
Flight:
International Flights and Insurance
Visa:
$100 per person for US Nationals and $50 per person for other Country Nationals
Drinks:
All type of soft and hard drinks
Personal items:
* Laundry
* Toiletries
Tips
- Mountain guide: $15 US per day / per guide / per group.
- Mountain Chef: $10 US per day / per group.
- Mountain Porter: $8 US per day / per porter.