7-Day Marangu Route
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.
Tour Highlights:
The Marangu Route is one of the most classic and historically significant routes on Mount Kilimanjaro. Known for its scenic diversity and hut accommodations, it offers climbers a comfortable yet rewarding journey to the summit of Africa’s highest mountain.
- Scenic Rainforest Landscapes.
Your adventure begins with a trek through the lush rainforest surrounding Marangu Gate. This rich ecosystem is filled with towering trees, vibrant birdlife, and the occasional sighting of monkeys moving through the canopy. The cool forest environment provides a beautiful and refreshing start to the climb.
- Historic Mountain Huts.
One of the unique features of the Marangu Route is its series of mountain huts that provide shelter and basic amenities for trekkers. Climbers stay at, Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut and Kibo Hut. These huts offer a comfortable resting place and are ideal for trekkers who prefer dormitory-style accommodation instead of camping.
- Kilimanjaro’s Changing Landscapes.
As the trek progresses, climbers experience the dramatic ecological transitions that make Kilimanjaro unique. The trail gradually changes from dense forest to open moorland landscapes, where unusual plants such as giant lobelias and giant senecios create an almost otherworldly atmosphere.
- Gilman’s Point.
During the summit night ascent, climbers reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim of Kilimanjaro. Arriving just before sunrise, trekkers witness spectacular views of Mawenzi Peak and the vast plains of Africa stretching far below.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Moshi
Moshi (2,920 ft): at the Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar or Dar es Salaam International Airport, and meet by our representative, load your luggage, belongings in a shuttle for transfer to the hotel for Overnight.
Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts
Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft) to Marangu Gate (1,830 m/6,000 ft) approx 45 km, and from Marangu gate to Mandara Huts (2,740 m/9,000 ft) 12 km, 4-5 hours Montane Forest:
After breakfast and a briefing from your guide, leave at the Hotel or Residential at 8:00AM, drive for 50 minutes, from Moshi to the Marangu Gate or 2 Hrs and 30 mins, drive from Arusha to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro Park. After arriving at the gate register with the national park and begin hiking at around 09:30 am. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colubus monkeys. At these lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts should be sufficient but keep your rain gear and warmer clothing handy. Stop halfway for lunch and reach the Mandara Huts at 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest, and have some tea or coffee. A 15-minute side trip to Maundy Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Dinner is served during the early evening at around 07:00 PM. Bathrooms with running water are available at Huts, you will have dinner and overnight at Mandara Huts.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 3: Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts
Mandara Huts (2,740 m/9,000 ft) to Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) 11 km, 6-8 hours – Heath land:
On this day you will wake up at around 06:30am, prepared for breakfast which you will take at around 07:00am and after breakfast, pack for another day, next trek. Porters will break camp by 8:00AM, and the all group continue hiking to the next Camp. For an hour through rainforest glades, then follow an ascending path through heath land where you can look for giant lobelias and groundsels. Continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, where you can enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts by 3 PM, where you can see Kibo’s summit. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms with running water are available. You will have Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.
You may start to feel the effects of altitude here, and to aid your acclimatization, you can choose to spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a base camp below Kibo’s sub peak Mawenzi for acclimatization.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 4: Horombo to Kibo Huts
Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) to Kibo Huts (4,695 m/15,400 ft) 10 km, 6-8 hours Alpine Desert:
You will wake up at around 06:30am and get prepared for breakfast and at around 07:00am you will have a breakfast as usual, but if you wake early you can get some great photos of the sunrise. The first part of the day’s hike climbs through the dwindling heath land that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. When you stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours. Be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness. There is no running water at the Kibo Huts. On this day you will have very few hours of sleep, and your night will be very short. You will have a long walk from Horombo to Kibo Hut and after evening meals at around 06:30pm, you will have a short rest and sleep for 3hrs from 07:30pm, as you will need to wake up at 10:30pm and start getting your summit gears ready. The start to climb to summit will be at around 11:30pm. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise. Switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 05:00am to o6:00 am.
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 5: Kibo Huts to Uhuru Peak
Summit Day! The hike from Kibo Huts (4,695 m/ 15,400 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) 4 km up, 14 km down 10-15 hours Alpine Desert:
You will be already walking more than half way to summit. Here, views of the fabled crater and its icecaps greet you. Sun Rise can be seen at around 05:30am. Another 1 hr to 2 hours of hiking along the crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro true summit, Uhuru Peak, by 07:00am. You are now at Africa’s highest point! And you would have to travel more than 3,000 miles toward the Himalayas to find a higher peak! Be sure to have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. After your summit stay, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things, and re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. The descend from Summit to Kibo hut can take approximately 1 to 2 hrs and descend from Kibo hut to Horombo can take 3 to 4 hrs and when you arrive at Horombo Hut you will get your last and happy supper on the mountain. After Dinner and get some well-deserved sleep, Overnight at Horombo Hut.
You do the beginning of this climb in the dark with headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek. Slowly slowly, or, “pole pole,” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 6: Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate
Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) to Marangu Gate (1,830 m/6,000 ft) to Moshi (890 m/2,920 ft) 18 km, 5-7 hours:
As this will be your last day on the mountain, you will need to wake up as usual at around 06:30am, pack, and then you will get your breakfast at 07:00am and start descend at around 07:45am from Horombo, through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Have lunch there then continue your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to the park gate, which you should reach around 02:00pm or 03:00 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here at the Gate, as most of them are living at the home and their villages are just nearby so they will not need to back to Moshi Town with the group and then return back to the mountain in Marangu villages where they stay with their families. A vehicle will take you back to the hotel or similar lodging in Moshi or Arusha, where it is definitely time for celebration!
🥗Meal: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Day 7: Departure
Moshi / Arusha: Depart for safari to Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Tarangire or other Parks in Southern part of Tanzania like Selous /Nyerere Park and other historic attractions like Bagamoyo, Kilwa ruins and Zanzibar. A trip to Zanzibar beaches is a good way to recuperate. We can arrange as many for reasonably priced trips around East Africa.
INCLUDED
- √ One night at the Hotel before starting the climb.
- √ One night with dinner at the hotel after finishing the climb.
- √ Entry Fees at the Mountain Kilimanjaro National Park.
- √ Rescue Fees, Guides, Porters and Cooks Fees.
- √ Mountain Staff/Crew salaries and allowances.
- √ All meals on the mountain, Breakfast, Lunch, evening refreshments and dinner.
- √ Drinking water will be provided during the climb.
- √ Oxygen cylinder, Ox-meters and Special daily check-up care while on the mountain.
- √ Mountain Gears, Sleeping Tents, Dinning Tents, sleeping form mattress are provided.
- √ Pick up and drop off to and from hotel to starting point for climbing the mountain.
- √ Pick up transfer after descending from mountain and transfer back to Hotel.
- √ Government Taxes, Office Agent fees, Operational costs.
- √ Airports pick up and drop off transfers.
EXCLUDED
- Χ Gratuities / Tips, Extra service Laundry.
- Χ Other personal care like massage (Can be offered as special Service after Kilimanjaro Climb)
- Χ Alcohol, International flights tickets, but can be booked on request.
- Χ Domestic flight tickets i.e, Flight to Zanzibar, Mafia Island, or to Parks like Serengeti, Selous, Ruaha and Gombe within Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda or to Amboseli Park in Kenya (Can be booked on requests)
- Χ Medical services in case of sickness or you will need to get Insurance cover from your country.
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