Itinerary
ABOUT MARANGU ROUTE
Also called the “Coca-Cola” route, Marangu route is the oldest and the most well-established route on Kilimanjaro mountain. This is the only route that 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.
Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft)
We head to the Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The trail climbs through a tropical rain forest near the upper edge of the forest line, where we sometimes see playful blue monkeys. The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Hut: Mandara Hut.
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft)
Our second day on the trail begins with a steep ascent through the forest and opens into high moorland. If the sky is clear, we may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heath / Moorland
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Hut to Horombo Hut (Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,160 ft to 12,205 ft)
This extra day is used for acclimatization. We hike towards or all the way to Mawenzi Hut and back. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Heath
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft)
Today we climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach our campsite which sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once at camp we rest, enjoy an early dinner and prepare for summit day.
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Point to Horombo Hut (Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft)
We wake in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa. The trail to Gilman’s Point is very steep and the ascent will be slow and steady. From Gilman’s, it is a traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. We stay at the summit for a short time, to take photos and enjoy the views, before retracing our steps to all the way back to Horombo Hut.
Distance: 22 km
Hiking Time: 10-13 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft)
A long trek is in store for today, however it is mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate we pick up our certificate that proves our achievement and catch our vehicle transfer to hotel in Moshi.
Distance: 20 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Day of departure: Transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.
Includes & Excludes
Included
- Park fees,
- Hut fees
- Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services which cost nearly 55% of the total cost charged.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park
- Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Pick up and drop off to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
- Pre and after Trek accommodations at the hotel, 2 nights at hotel in Moshi town with
- bed & breakfast (BB) Meal plan
Not Included
- Both National and International flights
- Medical insurance
- Visa cost which is $50 except for Canadian and USA passport holders which is
- 100$
- Tips to mountain crew
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- A doctor for the group
- Alcoholic beverages
- Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra ($150 per toilet + toilet tent)