Climb Mount Kilimanjaro: A Complete Trekker's Guide

• Location
• Description
• Contents
• Introduction
• Sample Route
• Maps
• Reviews
• Further Reading

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PART 4 - CLIMBING KILIMANJARO

There are a number of ways to approach and climb Kilimanjaro. Six forest and heath/moorland routes begin on the lower slopes and ascend to 3500–4000m. These routes then usually merge with the South Circuit Path before linking to one of three final summit ascent routes. From the summit there are three separate descent routes that are affiliated to each of the earlier climbs. The easiest way to make sense of this jumble is to study the Kilimanjaro Region Map.

Typically, when you sign up with an outfitter to tackle Kilimanjaro, you sign up for a particular combination of routes; the most common uses the Marangu Route as both an ascent and descent route. If you sign up for one of the other paths, you will agree to tackle a particular combination of ascent and descent routes in advance of your departure. Thus you might wish to undertake the Machame-Mweka Route, which would climb the mountain along the Machame Route and then return to its foot along the Mweka Route.

Each of the six initial ascent routes, the Marangu, Umbwe, Machame, Lemosho, Shira and Rongai Routes are all detailed below (please see Appendix A for the route comparison chart). In addition, there are full descriptions of the three final ascent routes to the crater rim; the Normal/Marangu Route, Barafu Route and Western Breach Route are all outlined. Furthermore, there is a description of the Summit Circuit Paths that circle Kibo at around 4000m.

After a full description of the summit, there follow explanations of the three descent routes on Kilimanjaro: the Marangu, Mweka and Alternative Mweka Routes.

Ascent Routes - A: Marangu Route

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Time: 5 days
Length: 65km
Altitude gain: 2903m
Grade: Moderate/hard
Start: Marangu Gate
Finish: Kibo Hut
Summit ascent route: Normal/Marangu Route
Optional extra days: 1 at Horombo Hut
Descent route: Marangu Route
End trek: Marangu Gate

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The Marangu Route is the oldest and one of the quickest methods of ascending Kilimanjaro. It’s also one of the easiest and most popular routes on the mountain, at one time drawing over 80% of trekkers on Kilimanjaro. As a consequence of its mass appeal and accessibility, it came to be known as the ‘Coca-Cola route’. It is also somewhat unfairly referred to as the ‘tourist route’.

Numbers on the Marangu Route have fallen with the improvement and promotion of alternative routes on the mountain. However, because it is also used as a means of descending the mountain, you are unlikely to ever feel truly alone or isolated in the huts or campsites along the track.

The Marangu Route ascends up the south-east side of Kilimanjaro through fine forest and moorland scenery. Though it is often harshly criticised for being overcrowded, and although this is far from a genuine wilderness experience, the route is still very beautiful and the forest sections in particular are attractive. The route passes to the south of Mawenzi before it crosses the desolate Saddle heading towards Kibo Hut. The summit ascent is then conducted via the Normal/Marangu Route on an arduous scree slope that culminates in the arrival at Gilman’s Point on the crater rim. Uhuru Peak can then be reached from here.

The descent route for this particular trail is traditionally back along the Marangu Route. Steps are retraced from the summit to Horombo Hut, before you eventually walk off the mountain via the Marangu Gate.

Most people complete the route in only five days and as a consequence it has a surprisingly low success rate for getting trekkers to the top. Many people fail to acclimatise properly on the way up the mountain and as a result succumb to the debilitating effects of altitude on the final haul to the crater rim, or simply peak at Gillman’s Point. In order to increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, you should try to factor in an extra day for acclimatisation purposes. Ideally this should be taken at Horombo Hut, from where you can enjoy a number of fascinating side trips to explore various features of the mountain.

To the trailhead
The Marangu Route begins from the Kilimanjaro National Park Headquarters at the Marangu Gate. This is best accessed from the town of Marangu, on the south-east side of Kilimanjaro, some 40km from the town of Moshi. Most trekking companies will ensure that you are transported to the trailhead from where you are staying.

From Moshi, follow the sealed Arusha–Taveta road towards Dar es Salam for just over 20km. At the small, bustling town of Himo, the road turns left and heads north for 13km to arrive at the sprawling, unkempt Marangu village. The fact that the road is paved all of the way to the village is a reflection of the economic impact that Kilimanjaro has had on the region in general and on Marangu in particular. In the centre of town, at the main junction, turn left again and follow the track uphill for 6km to the park gate. The journey from Moshi to the trailhead takes 45 minutes to an hour and represents a gain in altitude of almost 1000m.

At the park gate all of the formalities for entering the national park can be completed. This can be a laborious process and you should expect to spend up to an hour registering and paying the requisite park fees.

Huts and accommodation
The Marangu Route is the only route on the mountain to have sleeping huts provided at every night stop. A-frame buildings house communal dormitories, where basic bunks and sponge mattresses are supplied. The huts have solar powered lights and cold running water. Basic toilet facilities are also present at each hut. Groups dine together in a large communal hut, resulting in a jovial, lively atmosphere and a great deal of interaction. It is often possible to purchase soft drinks, bottled water and even beer at the huts, although the prices increase as you climb higher up the mountain. Make sure that you carry small Tanzanian notes to pay for things bought along the route.

During the peak season, huts can sometimes be over full as a result of large groups altering their itineraries. As a result the facilities can become overstretched.

Each hut has a number of tent pitches in the immediate vicinity and it is possible to camp at each site. Those camping can take advantage of the toilet and water facilities provided but are forbidden from using the hut dining or communal areas.

The first night stop is at Mandara Hut. The lowest hut on the Marangu Route was originally constructed before World War I. It was christened Bismarck Hut, after the Iron Chancellor of Prussia, in recognition of his significant role in the construction of the German Empire. The original stone hut has since been replaced by a series of comfortable wooden A-frame huts, built by a group of Norwegians as part of an aid programme. The largest hut comprises a communal dining area and an upstairs bunkroom. Smaller huts sleep up to eight people each. In total some 60 walkers can be accommodated here. There are flush toilets behind the main cabin. Water is retrieved from springs above the hut and is piped to the toilet block.

The second and fourth nights are spent at Horombo Hut. This was originally named Peter’s Hut, after Karl Peters, the German explorer and arch-imperialist. Similar to Mandara Hut, this vast complex comprises a number of wooden A-frame huts and resembles a small village. Horombo is designed to support up to 120 people, making it the busiest overnight stop on the entire mountain. Groups both ascending and descending the mountain use the site. There are flush toilets to the south-east of the main hut, down the slope a short distance. Water is piped from a stream to the north of the huts. It is forbidden to access the valley that contains the stream in a bid to ensure that the water supply remains clean and uncontaminated.

Kibo Hut, the third hut visited, is set at the foot of the final push to the summit. The original hut was built in 1932 and contained four bunks and a small stove. This has been replaced by a larger stone blockhouse that contains a small dining area and a number of dorm rooms that lead off a main corridor. A series of long-drop toilets are set to the south-west, behind the hut. There is no water available at Kibo Hut and all supplies must be carried here from the last water point on the ascent.

Stage 1: Marangu Gate (1800m) to Mandara Hut (2700m) 7km/ 3–4hrs/ +900m
Stage 2: Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3720m) 11km/ 5–6hrs/ +1020m
Stage 3: Horombo Hut (3720m) to Kibo Hut (4703m) 11km/ 5–6hrs/ +983m