Known by many as the “Coca-cola route”, Marangu is by far the most popular route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This is the shortest route and can be climbed in just 5 days, but extending this trekking to 6 days does greatly increase your chance of summiting successfully. The main difference compared to the other routes is the hut accommodations rather than the mobile tents. Our experienced team will answer any of your queries as they arise.
Marangu Route MAP
Day 1 - Arrive at Kilimanjaro Airport
Pick up at Kilimanjaro airport and transfer to the hotel by private car.
Day 2 - Marangu Gate (1. 870 m.) to Mandara Hut (2.700 m.)
HIKING TIME: APPROX 4-6 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 8 KILOMETRES
HABITAT: MONTAIN FOREST
After breakfast your guides will come to collect you and you will drive 45 minutes from the lodge to Marangu village/gate. After registering at the gate you will begin by entering the rain forest. The misty forest will provide you with ample opportunity to sight some of Kilimanjaro’s animals. You will spend your first night at the Mandara hut, which is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.
Day 3 - Mandara Hut (2.700m.) to Horombo Hut (3.720m.)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6-8 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 11.5 KILOMETERS
HABITAT: MOORLAND
From Mandara you will walk along the short stretch of forest, to the base of the Maundi Crater then emerge into the moorland. At this point you can decide to make a short, but recommended detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. The open moorland provides you with time to see Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants, our guides will point these out to you. After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, a hearty meal and a good night’s rest.
Day 4 - Horombo Hut (3.720m.) - Acclimatization day
HIKING TIME: OPTIONAL 4.5 HOURS
ACTIVITY: OPTIONAL HIKE PAST ZEBRA ROCKS TO ASSIST WITH ACCLIMITISATION
Horombo hut is a cluster of huts perched on a small plateau, with structures similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! The atmosphere at this stop is exciting; you will meet many people from all around the world all trying to summit or who have already conquered the mighty mountain. This extra day and night is for additional acclimatisation. We offer an additional walk towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), to further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Your day will end with another delicious meal and an early night, enabling you to get enough rest.
Day 5 - Horombo Hut (3.720m.) to Kibo Hut (4.700m.)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATLY 5-7 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 10 KILOMETRES
HABITAT: ALPINE DESERT
After breakfast you continue to trek through the alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter. From Kibo hut, the summit is only 1,195m above you and you will make your final ascent the same night. The team will help you to prepare your equipment and clothing for your summit attempt. You will go to bed at round at about 19h00 and try to get some precious rest and sleep.
Day 6 - Kibo Hut (4.700m.) to Uhuru Peak (5.895m.) to Horombo Hut (3.720m.)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6-8 HOURS TO REACH UHURU PEAK AND ANOTHER 5-8 TO DESCEND TO HOROMBO
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 5.5 KILOMETRES ASCENT – AND A FURTHER 15 KILOMETRES DESCENT
HABITAT: STONE SCREE AND ICE-CAPPED SUMMIT
At about 23h30 you will be awoken to some tea and biscuits and will make a move into the night. You will head to Hans Meyer cave (5,150m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5,681m) on the crater rim. Many climbers find this walk the most mentally and physically challenging aspect of the climb. From Stella Point you will normally encounter snow all the way on your 2-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa and an achievement you will remember for the rest of your life.
The walk back to Kibo hut from the summit, takes about 3 hours. Here you will have a well earned but short rest and collect the rest of your gear, before heading down to Horombo hut. The route is not difficult and will take you down the rock and scree path into the moorland and eventually into the forest. Here you will rest and feel proud of your achievement.
Day 7 - Horombo Hut (3.720m.) to Marangu Gate (1.870m.)
HIKING TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6-8 HOURS
DISTANCE: APPROXIMATELY 20 KILOMETRES
HABITAT: FOREST
After an early and well-deserved breakfast, you will continue a 6 hour descent passing Mandara hut, and down to the Marangu gate. Here you will receive your certificates; those climbers who reached Gillman’s point (5,681m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895m) receive gold certificates. You will be picked up and brought back to lodge for a warm welcome, a cold celebratory drink and a hearty meal.
Day 8 - Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport
After breakfast transfer to Kilimanjaro airport by private car.
PRICES
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