Marangu Route also known as the “Coca Cola route” is one of the most popular routes used to climb to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, this route is also believed to the easiest route to Uhuru Peak by many hikers.Mount KilimanjaroThis is because it is can be hiked in 5 days, also it is the cheapest option to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.However, we recommend hiking the route over 6 days to increase your chances of reaching the summit successfully.Note: this is the only route that provides communal sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every overnight site. The route also has many sites where some basic goods such as mineral waters, beer and chocolates are sold. The Marangu route takes the same route for both ascend and descend.
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be picked up by your driver- guide, representative of Jewel safaris and be transferred to your accommodation in Moshi. Your guide will give you a short briefing for the climb the next day and also check your kits and necessary equipment. Meals: DinnerAccommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
Day 2: Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m)
Hiking time: 5hrs •Distance: Approximately 8.1 km • Habitat: Montane ForestAfter breakfast, you will transfer to Kilimanjaro National Park gate which is a drive of 50 minutes away. The journey passes through the village of Marangu which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain.Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park Office and make their final preparations for the climb. You will see porters arranging and loading their packs containing the food, water and cooking gas. From the Park’s gate, ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest where you will see most of the animals in the park, an alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. The trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offer you the option to rejoin the main trail either after 1.5 hours of hiking or 1 hour before arriving at Mandara hut where you will spend the night.Mandara hut consists of 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 at the camp is piped from springs above and behind the main hut there are flush toilets. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Mandara hut
Day 3: Mandara hut (2715m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 6hours •Distance: Approximately 11.6 km •Habitat: MoorlandFrom Mandara hit, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and emerges into a transition from rain forest to moorland. It is worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, you will enjoy amazing views of the Kibo peak from the distance in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland, you will be treated to views of some of the most spectacular plants of Mount Kilimanjaro such as the giant lobelia which grows up to 3 meters in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari) which can reach heights of 5 meters. After about 6 hours of trek form here, you will reach the Horombo hut for an overnight stay. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo hut (3705 m) – Acclimatization Day
The Horombo Hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau with buildings similar to Mandara with a capacity of 120 climbers, the hut is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. At the hut, you will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo Hut is for additional acclimatization, hike towards the Mawenzi Hut passing the Zebra Rocks in he way which is about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 5: Horombo hut (3705 m) – Kibo hut (4730 m)
Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 9.6 km •Habitat: Alpine desertAfter breakfast, continue with ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo, there are two trails to the saddle (a saddle 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) which you can choose from, the upper route should be very familiar as you will have climbed most of it on the previous day hike towards Mawenzi hut, this section is very stony and eroded. The lower route (more recommended) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, the route passes the last watering point at 4130 m. Return to Horombo Hut for an overnight. You will have will have your water bottles filled then return to the hut or buy mineral water at Kibo Hut situated in the barren Alpine desert, a stone build house with buck beds accommodation 60 climbers, there are not steams with water nearby. The camp’s platform toilets behind the huts, hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. From this point, the summit is 1195 m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bi including the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries, also make sure you have a spare set available and carry your water in a thermal flask to prevent freezing. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Kibo Hut
Day 6: Kibo hut (4730 m) – Uhuru Peak (5895 m) – Horombo hut (3705 m)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to HoromboDistance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent •Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summitRise around 23h20, have some tea and biscuits and sent off in the night and this is where it gets really tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), the camp also serves as a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5 681m) which is located on the crater rim, this section is very steep with a lot of stone scree requiring a great physical and metal effort This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route, do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.From Gillmans Point, you will encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m)- the highest point in Africa. The time you will spend on the summit will be determined by the weather conditions, take photographs and soak in the amazing views. Then descend for 3 hours back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest, you will gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut on a trek 3 hours for your overnight. The return to the hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent, on this day you will spend around 14 hours of walking so prepare for a very tough day mentally and physically. Later in the evening, you will have your last dinner on the mountain and stay overnight. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 7: Horombo hut (3705 m) – Marangu Gate (1860 m)
Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 19.7 kmAfter breakfast, you will continue with the descent of 6 hours passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. When you reach at Marangu gate, you will be rewarded with your summit certificates, climbers who reached Gillman’s point (5685) are rewarded with green certificate and those who reached the Uhuru Peak (5895) receive gold certificates. You will then be driven back to Moshi/ Arusha for a dropff at the hotel. After breakfast, you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate, you will receive your summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi/ Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebration.Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and DinnerAccommodation: Moshi Salsalinero Hotel
