Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu 5 Days

Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu 5 Days

We always recommend you have at least 1 day in town before starting your trek.  This gives you time to rest, relax and prepare.  On this day we make sure you meet your guide(s) so that they are able to check all your gear, we can rent anything else that you require and you have the opportunity to ask them any questions you may have!

The ‘Coca cola’ nickname of this route is somewhat misleading, giving the impression that it is easier than the ‘Whiskey’ (Machame) route.  Yes, it is shorter (only 32km to Uhuru Peak) and there is the attraction for some of sleeping in huts rather than camping. It is worthwhile noting that it is the only route of Kilimanjaro where you ascend and descend using the same route (although there are options on a couple of days to take alternative detours). 

In each hut there are beds (numbers vary from camp to camp) with mattresses and a pillow, but you will still need to bring your own sleeping bag.

Day 1:     Start: Marangu Gate (1905m) Finish: Mandara Huts (2720m)

                  Total distance: 8.75km

                  Hiking Time (approx.): 3 hours

Marangu gate, the headquarters of Kilimanjaro National Park, lies a 45 minute drive from Moshi town.  You will then set off along the path for a solid uphill walk to reach the Mandara Huts.  Stop at Kisamboni for your picnic lunch before continuing on upwards, with the trail steepening as you pass through the forest. 

Day 2:     Start: Mandara Huts (2720m) Finish: Horombo Huts (3720m)

                  Total distance: 12km

                  Hiking Time (approx.): 6-8 hours

After a short stretch of forest at the start of the day, you will be walking mostly through moorland – a landscape spotted with heather and lobelias, characteristic of this ecosystem. 

Day 3:     Start: Horombo Huts (3720m) Finish: Kibo Huts (4715m)                                                                      Total distance: 9km

                  Hiking Time (approx.): 4-6 hours

This day you will pass across the saddle, the rather barren stretch of alpine desert that separates Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.   You’ll arrive here for a late lunch and then rest up in preparation for your summit.

Day 4: 

Summit Night:       Kibo Huts (4715m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) back to Kibo Huts                                                                              Total distance: 6.25km

                                    Hiking Time (approx.) 6 hours

                                    Start: Kibo Huts (4715m) to Horombo Huts (7720m)

                                    Total distance: 9km

                                    Hiking Time (approx.): 3-4 hours

Depending on how you have fared with the altitude in the days before, you will be woken at 11pm-12am to start your ascent up to Uhuru Peak. Upon reaching Gillman’s point you will stop for a well-deserved rest.  Continueyour descent down to Horombo Huts.

Day 5:      Start: Horombo Huts (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1905m)

Total distance: 20.75km

                  Hiking time: 7-8 hours

A long last day, which will no doubt feel like a walk in the park after yesterday’s efforts.  Make sure to enjoy this final day of the mountain… that beer will still be cold, and the shower still hot when you get down!  Enjoy time monkey and bird-spotting in the forest before emerging out at Marangu Gate where you will sign out of the National Park.