Kilimanjaro Trekking Marangu Route
The Marangu Route (also known as the ‘Coca Cola Route’) is the oldest and most established route on Kilimanjaro and used to be the most popular. It’s considered to be the easiest way up in terms of gradient and terrain. It is also the only route on the mountain that has huts to sleep in.
However the ascent and descent are done on the same pathway which can mean the route gets busy and the huts can get quite full. However it’s a very useful trail for families and groups looking for the comfort and convenience of a hut, and avoiding having to use the mountain tents. It’s a useful route to do in the rainy season if only to avoid having wet clothes inside a tent.
It’s an easier route with no real difficulties on the path but it doesn’t share the distinctive difference in scenery that you see on the other tracks, The early days on the huge plateau covers open ground and scrub all the way until the final hut below the summit massif. The summit day itself is just the same level of difficulty though, with the same amount of elevation to cover to reach the crater rim at Gilman’s Point and then Uhuru Peak.
ITINERARY, PRICE, INCLUDE & EXCLUDE :
Arrival:
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.
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DAY 1: HOTEL TO MARANGU GATE TO MANDARA HUT
Elevation (m): 1800m to 2700m,
Distance: 7km, Time: 3 hours.
Habitat: Montane Forest.
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Once signed in at the park and final preparations are complete, we start ascending on a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest. The forest is where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found. Our first night is at Mandara Hut camp set in a forest clearing. This camp consists of a group of wooden A-framed huts and flush toilets behind the main hut. -
DAY 2: MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT
Elevation (m): 2700m to 3720m,
Distance: 12km, Time: 6 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.
In the morning we leave camp and trek through a short stretch of forest through to moorland, circumventing the base of the Maundi Crater. In the afternoon we will reach the Horombo Hut where will we stay overnight. -
DAY 3: HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT
Elevation (m): 3720m to 4700m,
Distance: 9.5km, Time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine desert.
Today we continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone to Kibo Hut. From Kibo Hut, the summit is now only another 1195m ascent. This afternoon we will have an early dinner, prepare your personal gear for the summit and then get some sleep. Our summit trek starts tonight. -
DAY 4: KIBO HUT TO SUMMIT TO HOROMBO HUT
Elevation (m): 4700m to 5895m,
Distance: 21 km,
Time: 6-7 hours ascent, 3 hours descent.
Habitat: Stone screed and ice-capped summit and Moorland
You will be woken around 23:30pm, and after a hot breakfast we will start our final summit. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to Hans Meyer point (5250m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5681m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with alot of scree.
From Gillman's Point we could encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. After taking photos at the summit we start the 3 hours’ descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest we pack up all your personal gear and trek down to Horombo Hut (3 hours). Tonight is our last night on the mountain. -
DAY 5: HOROMBO HUT TO MARANGU GATE BACK TO HOTEL
Elevation (m): 3720m to 1980m,
Distance: 18 km,
Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
This morning we make our final descent down to Marangu Gate where we started. You will be taken for lunch and here you will receive your summit certificate to commemorate your great achievement. We will then drive you back to your hotel where we will say our farewell.
5 Days Marangu price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 1690 | $ 1545 | $ 1465 | $ 1390 |
DAY 1: HOTEL TO MARANGU GATE TO MANDARA HUT
Elevation (m): 1800m to 2700m,
Distance: 7km,
Time: 3 hours.
Habitat: Montane Forest.
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to the
Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Once signed in at the park and final
preparations are complete, we start ascending on a cleared ridge trail
through the rainforest. The forest is where most of Kilimanjaro's animals
are found. Our first night is at Mandara Hut camp set in a forest clearing.
This camp consists of a group of wooden A-framed huts and flush toilets
behind the main hut.
DAY 2: MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT
Elevation (m): 2700m to 3720m,
Distance: 12km,
Time: 6 hours.
Habitat: Moorland.
In the morning we leave camp and trek through a short stretch of forest
through to moorland, circumventing the base of the Maundi Crater. In the
afternoon we will reach the Horombo Hut where will we stay overnight.
DAY 3: Acclimatization day
At Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimate to
high altitude. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut
(4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner
will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending
on your preference for the day.
DAY 4: HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT
Elevation (m): 3720m to 4700m,
Distance: 9.5km,
Time: 5 hours.
Habitat: Alpine desert.
Today we continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone to Kibo Hut.
From Kibo Hut, the summit is now only another 1195m ascent. This
afternoon we will have an early dinner, prepare your personal gear for the
summit and then get some sleep. Our summit trek starts tonight.
DAY 5: KIBO HUT TO SUMMIT TO HOROMBO HUT
Elevation (m): 4700m to 5895m,
Distance: 21 km,
Time: 6-7 hours ascent, 3 hours descent.
Habitat: Stone screed and ice-capped summit and Moorland
You will be woken around 23:30pm, and after a hot breakfast we will start
our final summit. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to
Hans Meyer point (5250m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point
(5681m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a
lot of scree.From Gillman's Point we could encounter snow all the way up
to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. After taking photos at
the summit we start the 3 hours’ descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short
rest we pack up all your personal gear and trek down to Horombo Hut (3
hours). Tonight is our last night on the mountain.
DAY 6:HOROMBO HUT TO MARANGU GATE BACK TO HOTEL
Elevation (m): 3720m to 1980m,
Distance: 18 km,
Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
This morning we make our final descent down to Marangu Gate where we
started. You will be taken for lunch and here you will receive your summit
certificate to commemorate your great achievement. We will then drive
you back to your hotel where we will say our farewell.
6 Days Marangu price per person(USD)
| 1 pax | 2-4 pax | 4-7 pax | 8++ pax |
|---|---|---|---|
| $ 2010 | $ 1835 | $ 1740 | $ 1650 |
PRICE INCLUDES
Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate.
Park entry fees.
Camping fees.
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services.
4 Season mountain tents.
Double layered Sleeping Mats.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters. 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO).
Government taxes.
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter. Emergency first-aid kit.
PRICE EXCLUDES
Lunches, dinners and drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
Travel insurance.
Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is available for extra charges $ 70 for the entire trek. Flights.
Laundry (Available at hotel).
Personal items and toiletries.
Tips for guides, porters and cook (this is a guide to tipping on the mountain).