5 Days Marangu Route

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing

Overview

The Marangu Route has been nicknamed the “Coca Cola Route,” which has led potential climbers to believe that it is a simple route to the summit. To be honest, this is far from the truth! The fact that it takes at least 5 days to complete does not imply that it is easier than any other route. The only reason people say it’s easier is that it’s the only route up Kilimanjaro that allows you to sleep in huts rather than tents. For those with no prior altitude trekking experience, an optional acclimatization day at Horombo Huts is highly recommended. To avoid inconvenience, hut accommodations must be reserved in advance. The route starts from the park headquarters in the village of Marangu and heads straight westwards towards Kibo. The trail winds through lush rainforest, heath, and moorland to alpine desert and, finally, the arctic zone at the peak, before returning the same way.

Itinerary

Arrive in Tanzania

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi/Arusha 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. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Hotel: Bed & Breakfast

Day 1. Marangu Gate (1860m) to Mandara Hut (2700m)

After breakfast, you will be picked up from your Moshi/Arusha lodge and driven to the Marangu gate. Once all of the required documents is completed, you can start your trek and soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. As you make your way to the Mandara Hut, you may see some primates in addition to the impressive vegetation. After a well-deserved rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater, where you can gaze out over Kenya’s interior.

Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2km
Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2. Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have amazing views of Mawenzi, Kibo, and the vast Masai steppe plain.

Distance covered: 12.5km / 7.8mi
Approx. time taken: 9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.

Day 3. Horombo Hut (3700m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water Point” and then the so-called “saddle.” This nearly vegetation-free plateau connects Kibo’s main summit with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut, which takes about 5 – 6 hours to reach. Because the night will be short, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night.

Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4. Kibo Hut (4700m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You’ll start your final ascent around midnight, which will be long and difficult. The climb gradually but steadily ascends after passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. At sunrise, you’ll arrive at Gillman’s Point (5681m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, where the sun will gradually begin to warm the land. You will quickly forget the cold of the night, and after another 1 – 2 hour hike, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. A warm meal awaits you upon your return to Kibo Hut, followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before returning to Horombo Hut.

Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5. Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

The final stage takes you through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m), where a hot lunch awaits you. Soon, you will pass through the tropical rainforest again, and after 6 hours of trekking, you will arrive at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). Following your farewell to your mountain guides, a short transfer will take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower to commemorate your successful summit of Kilimanjaro.

Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Depart Tanzania

The day is free for you to relax after the journey before your flight home. Depending on your flight schedule, you could explore Moshi/Arusha town and pick up some souvenirs before heading to the airport.

INCLUDES

  • Private pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport
  • Pre-& Post Trek accommodation at Moshi or Arusha
  • Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & services
  • 4 Season big sleeping mountain tents
  • Double layered Sleeping Mats
  • Transportation to & from the mountain gate
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • 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)
  • Portable toilets and toilets tents.
  • Hot Water for Wash

EXCLUDES

  • Flights
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • Tips to mountain crew
Tip on Mountain Kilimanjaro is recommended for group sharing as following:
  • Guide $15 – $20/guide/day
  • Cook $10 – $15/day
  • Porters $8 – $10/porter/day.

On Kilimanjaro, temperatures can easily range from the high 20s (centigrade) during the day to -15c at night. To deal with such a wide temperature range, your clothing and equipment strategy should be based on combining many thin layers that you build up and take off as the weather dictates. Kilimanjaro National Park has a strict 15kg per porter limit for your main equipment bag, which includes your sleeping bag. This will be more than enough for your needs on the mountain. Before you leave the hotel to begin the climb, your bag will be weighed, and if it is overweight, you will be required to remove items and leave them at the hotel.

Head and Hands:

  • Cap or hat to wear while walking in bright sun
  • Wool or fleece cap or hat to keep your head warm
  • Neck warmer to protect your throat from catching cold
  • Uv protection sunglasses
  • Warm wind and waterproof gloves

Upper body:

  • Dri fit trekking shirts
  • Thermals
  • Warm trekking shirts
  • Hiking hoodie
  • Wind and waterproof jacket
  • Down jacket

Lower body:

  • Trekking pants
  • Trekking shorts
  • Thermals and inners
  • Waterproof pants
  • Trekking socks
  • Waterproof trekking boots with ankle support
  • Slippers or sandals
  • Gaiters
  • Microspikes

Other items:

  • Strong rucksack or large holdall to be carried by porters.
  • Day rucksack to be carried personally.
  • Plastic bags or stuff sacks to store/separate trekking gear inside your main bag.
  • One or two-liter water bottle.
  • Personal first aid kit to include essential items.
  • Sleeping bag, 4 seasons.
  • Torch, ideally head torch.
  • Digital Camera and a spare battery and battery charger
  • Toilet paper, quick dry towel,
  • Toothbrush
  • Large handkerchief/bandana for neck

Paper Work

  • Trip Receipt
  • Passport
  • Visa (available at JRO)
  • Immunization Papers
  • Insurance Documents
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