Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu Route (5 Days)

Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu Route (5 Days)

Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favour the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, due to its more gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts with dormitory style accommodation. There are 60 bunk beds at both 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.

HIGHLIGHTS:

Trekking to the highest mountain in Africa

Two night hotel accommodation in Moshi

LOCATIONS:

Tanzania/Kilimanjaro

ACTIVITIES:

Mountain Trekking

Itinerary

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate, Hike to Mandara Hut

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest
Duration: 5 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 2: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 12km/7.5mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heathland
Duration: 10 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 3: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Distance: 9km/5.5mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert
Duration: 6 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 4: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.

The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires 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 with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

Habitat: Alpine Desert
Duration: 11 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.

Day 5: Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Moshi

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 00255 Tanzania
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Forest
Duration: 7 hours

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.