6 Days Marangu Route Hike

Marangu ("Coca Cola") route

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 favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.

The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.

However, despite its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Marangu is favored only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro (which we do not recommend anyway). Otherwise, the Marangu route is a poor choice.

Day 0

Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi

When you arrive you will be met at the airport by our driver- with a sign bearing your name, then you will drive to Weru Weru Lodge safari in Moshi for dinner and overnight. In the afternoon or evening your Wildgem Safari Mountain Guide will meet you for a Kilimanjaro climb briefing and an equipment check.

DAY 1

• Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
• Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
• Distance: 8km 
• Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast we head to the National Park gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The trail climbs through a tropical rain forest, near the upper edge of the forest line (keep an eye out for blue monkeys). The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.

DAY 2

• Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
• Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
• Distance: 12 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Healthy

our second day on the trail begins with a steep, but not technical ascent through forest and opens into high moorland. If weather allows, we may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

DAY 3

• Horombo hat
• Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,160 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
• Habitat: Healthy
  

This is an extra day to acclimatize and can be spent day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. 

DAY 4

• Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
• Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
• Distance: 10 km
• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
• Habitat: Alpine desert
  

Today we climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach our campsite which sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once at camp we rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the next day.

DAY 5

• Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
• Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
• Distance: 22km
• Hiking Time: 10-13 hours
• Habitat: Arctic
  

Leaving very early in the morning (around midnight), we continue our way to the summit in hopes of catching the sunrise. The trail is a series of switchbacks up a steep scree slope, with climbers stretched into the darkness, visible only by headlamps. It is important to focus on breathing and foot placement. The views from the summit are dramatic and immense. After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and your achievement, we descend to Horombo Hut.
 

DAY 6

• Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
• Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
• Distance: 20 km
• Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
• Habitat: Rain Forest
  

A long trek is in store for today, however it is mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate we pick up our certificates that prove our achievement. Vehicle transfer to your hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight.

Kilimanjaro Climb Includes:

• Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
  
• 2 Way transfers from and to the Kilimanjaro airport after the climb
  
• Hotel Lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included
• Transfer from your hotel to starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
• All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees and climbing permits.
• Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
• Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
• Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
• Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cooks
• Salaries for mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
• Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress
• Water for washing up daily
• Porter to carry your duffel bag (max weight 15kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next camp.
• Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
• A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack
• Flying Doctor Service

Kilimanjaro Climb Excludes:

• Flights and airport taxes
• Items of a personal nature
• Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cooks
• Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if traveling to Tanzania recommended)
• Highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
• Personal hiking/trekking gear – we can rent some of the gear from our equipment store in Tanzania
• Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
• Meals & drinks not specified and snacks

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