5 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Hike | Classic Mount Kilimanjaro Trek
5 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Hike: The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well-established route on Kilimanjaro. 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 the Kilimanjaro White House Hotel bed and Breakfast 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: Kilimanjaro National Park Gate to Mandara Hut Elevation: 5,500 ft / 1,700 m to 9,000 ft / 2,740 m
- Distance: 7 km
- Time: 4-5 hours
- Climatic Zone: Montane Forest
- Meals: L, D
- Hut: Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), 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.
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut Elevation: 9,000 ft / 2,700 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m
- Distance: 11 km
- Time: 6-8 hours
- Climatic Zone: Heathland/ Moorland
- Meals: B, L, D
- Hut: Horombo Hut
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.
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
- Elevation: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 15,400 ft / 4,700 m
- Distance: 10 km
- Time: 6-8 hours
- Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert
- Meals: B, L, D
- Hut: Kibo Hut
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking into 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.
Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit then Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 15,400 ft / 4,700 m to 19,300 ft / 5,895 m 19,300 ft / 5,895 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m
- Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down
- Time: 10-15 hours
- Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert
- Meals: B, L, D
- Hut: Horombo Camp
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!
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi
- Elevation: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 5,500 ft / 1,700 m
- Distance: 18km Time: 5-7 hours Meals: B
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. Don’t forget to
- tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
- Day of departure: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.
PRICE FOR 5 DAYS MARANGU ROUTE
ACCOMMODATION | PRICE | HINTS INCLUSIVE | |
Package for Private hiking | Kilimanjaro White House Hotel (Bed and breakfast) before and after the climb in Moshi town | USD ($) 1950 per person | Sleeping in Huts |
Package for Joining- Group hiking | Kilimanjaro White House Hotel (Bed and breakfast) before and after the climb in Moshi town | USD ($) 1750 per person | Sleeping in Huts |
NB: For the group, sharing won’t be any additional charges in the case of the group member canceling or changing the route. The office will encore that cost and we will take you privately | |||
Included
- Park fees,
- Hut fees
- Rescue fees
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- 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)
- Professional, experienced, mountain Cook and Porter
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Oximeter
- Medical Kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Pick up and drop off to Kilimanjaro International
- Pre and after – trek accommodations at the hotel in Moshi town with bed & breakfast (BB) Meal plan
Not Included
- Both National and International flights
- Travel / 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)