MARANGU ROUTE 5 DAYS

MOUNT KILIMANJARO TREKKING PROGRAM

4.5

★★★★★ 4.5/5

$ 1628

/ per person

Book your trip now!

Get started with planning your safari in Africa with us today!!

OVERVIEW :

The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations in lieu of camping. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut.

Many favor Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. However the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason. The five-day variation does not have an acclimatization day on day three at Horombo Hut.

It is referred to as the tourist route because of services available on the way to the summit. Unlike other routes, it is relatively easy, has low success rate because many unfit people attempt Kili trek via this route and fail, it is a popular route and accommodation is in huts. It is preferred by many trekkers. It is also beautiful. It is the easiest and shortest route. Ascent and descent are done on the same path.

TREKKING IMAGES

ITINERARY :

Day 1 : Kilimanjaro Airport

Arrive at the Kilimanjaro International Airport, pick up and transferred to the Springlands Hotel or similar for overnight bed and breakfast.

Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

Altitude: 1,830 m – 2,700 m

Hiking distance: 11 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hours

Leave Moshi town and drive for about 1 hour to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate such as registrations. Begin hiking through rainforest from the park gate to Mandara Hut. Stop half way for lunch.

A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings as well as views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Altitude: 2,700 m – 3,720 m

Hiking distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 5–6 hours

Wake to breakfast and pack for the next leg. Hike to Horombo Huts. You travel through lower heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. Stop half way for lunch. Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive Horombo Huts, unpack and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Altitude: 3,720 m – 4,700 m

Hiking distance: 10 km

Hiking time: 6–7 hours

Wake to breakfast as usual (if you wake before sunup you can get some great photos of the sunrise). Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Hut. The first half of the day’s hike traverses the upper heath land while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. No running water at Kibo Huts.

Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

Altitude: 4,700 m – 5, 895 m – 3,720 m

Hiking distance: 16 km

Hiking time: 15+ hours

Wake at around midnight to a light breakfast, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out during the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at around sunrise. Leave at about 1:00am and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00am. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim.

Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak, the summit. From there you will descend back to Kibo Hut, collect your things and cross the saddle again at Horombo Hut where you will spend the night. Enjoy dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi

Altitude: 3,720 m – 2,700 m

Hiking distance: 18 km

Hiking time: 6-7 hours

Wake as usual, pack and descend to Mandara Hut. Take lunch there and continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. Continue on to the park gate where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. Overnight in Springlands hotel. Tips is recommended and highly appreciated and can be given to the Guide at Springlands Hotel.

This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Stella Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates.

Day 7: Kilimanjaro Airport

After an early breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for your departure flight back home.

TREKKING MAP

Book your trip now!

Get started with planning your safari in Africa with us today!!

MORE PACKAGES

Two nights accommodation at the Springlands Hotel in Moshi (before and after the climb)
- First night includes breakfast
- Last night includes dinner & breakfast
Return transportation from Moshi to/from the starting/finishing point on the mountain
Qualified guides with mountain crew
National park fees
Tents and sleeping mattresses
Cutlery / Crockery / Eating utensils
Mess tent (for dining) / Mini camping chairs / Tables / Candles
Rescue Fees
Return Airport transfers to JRO – Kilimanjaro international Airport
Pulse oximeters
First aid kit
Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries
Boiled water on the mountain
All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
Guides, porters, waiter, cook accommodation and entry fees on the mountain