MARANGU ROUTE

MARANGU ROUTE - KILIMANJARO TREKKING

MARANGU ROUTE - KILIMANJARO TREKING

Budget

TBA

Per Person

Duration

8 Days

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 Klimanjaro 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 anyhow). Otherwise, the Marangu route is a poor choice. .

Book This Trip

Package Price Includes

Return transfers from Arusha to the mountain
Oxygen cylinder on the mountain
All Park fees and crater fee
Kilimanjaro hut fees
All camping fees on safari
Professional & experienced mountain guides
Adequate porters to carry the entire luggage
All meals while on the mountain and safari
Professional cook on the mountain and safari
Camping kitchen catering on safari and mountain.
Unlimited clean purified drinking water on the mountain (you can also bring your purification pills)
Mountain rescue fee

Price Does Not Include

Accommodation before and after the climb
Personal travel insurance, visas, and vaccinations.
Any increase in government taxes that occur prior to the start of your trip.
Cost of any client-requested itinerary modifications while the tour is in progress.
Any expenses of a personal nature such as extra beverages, laundry, etc.
Gratuity for your safari guide, cook and mountain crew (at your discretion).
Mountain personal gears

Essential trip information

TRIP Inclusions

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Accomodation

Sleep (5 nights)

Meals

6 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Treking

Trip Itinarary

We'll be there, like we've been there before

Day 1 Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

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.

Elevation: 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

Day 2 Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

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.

Elevation: 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heath

Day 3 Horombo Hu

This will be a short day but rather a steep rocky and dusty trails. It's a slow hike with plenty of breaks and enough time to acclimatize. Most of the route is rather bare of vegetation providing little shade from heat. You will cross many ridges and see the first of many Senecias.

Meals: B,L,D
Accommodation: Budget camping

Day 4 Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

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.

Elevation: 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 5 Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

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 accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut.

Elevation: 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 22 km
Hiking Time: 10-13 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Day 6 Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

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 hotel for a celebration