KILIMANJARO CLIMBING
MARANGU ROUTE
The Marangu Route, also known as the "Coca-Cola Route," is one of the most popular and straightforward paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This 5-day trek is ideal for climbers seeking a shorter, less technical ascent. The route offers a gradual slope, allowing trekkers to acclimatize effectively, and features comfortable hut accommodations, making it more convenient compared to camping routes.
Your journey begins at Marangu Gate, trekking through the lush rainforests of Kilimanjaro, where you’ll spot unique flora and fauna. As you ascend, the landscape transitions into heath and moorland zones, with stunning views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The route continues to Horombo Hut and Kibo Hut, where you'll prepare for the challenging night summit attempt to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
The final ascent to the summit involves a midnight trek under the stars, passing through Gillman’s Point and reaching Uhuru Peak at sunrise. After enjoying breathtaking views from the roof of Africa, you’ll descend back through the same route.
The Marangu Route offers a great balance of adventure, scenic beauty, and comfort, making it an excellent choice for first-time climbers looking to conquer Kilimanjaro.
DAY BY DAY ITINERARY
Day 1 - Kilimanjaro Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Before starting the trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, you will meet your guides, chefs, and porters in your Arusha hotel. After completing the gate registration, you will hike through the evergreen rainforest on a narrow trail. When you reach Kisambioni, which is the halfway point of the trek, you will have a picnic lunch before continuing through the rainforest. Your final destination for the day is Mandara Hut, where you can enjoy views of Mawenzi Peak to the northwest and the landscapes of Taveta to the east. If the skies are clear, you will have great views. The A-frame Mandara Hut can accommodate up to seventy people and features beds with mattresses for a comfortable night's stay.
Accomodation
- Mandara Hut (Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro)
Meal & Drinks
- Lunch and Dinner
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2 - Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
After breakfast, we will begin our journey to Horombo Hut. The landscape will change significantly as we traverse Mount Kilimanjaro's moorland, a rocky desert plain with succulent plants. We will stop for a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu during the hike. If the weather is clear, you will have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. We expect to reach the Horombo Huts around 3:00pm, where you can spend the afternoon relaxing. The Horombo Huts are quite popular and are considered the best huts on Mount Kilimanjaro. These small A-frame huts can accommodate up to eight people and provide comfortable lodging for hikers going up, down, or acclimating. They can accommodate a maximum of 120 hikers, along with porters, chefs, and guides.
Accomodation
- Horombo Hut (Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro)
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3 - Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
After breakfast, we will hike through the moorland and the alpine desert region of Mount Kilimanjaro. After hiking for about an hour, we will encounter a small mountain stream called the Maua River. Once you pass Maua, you will notice that the terrain gets smoother, and the vegetation starts to diminish. We will have a delicious lunch at the Middle Red Hill. We will continue our trek shortly after lunch and spend the next four hours traveling to Kibo on a steady incline through Mount Kilimanjaro's saddle. The silver lining to traveling through a barren desert is the breathtakingly stunning vista of the Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks. You will reach the Kibo Hut in the afternoon. It is recommended that you rest and prepare for your midnight climb.
Accomodation
- Kibo Hut (Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro)
Meal & Drinks
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4 - Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
The final part of your journey involves ascending to Uhuru Peak, also known as the Roof of Africa. We will depart shortly after midnight and embark on a strenuous 5-hour hike to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. This route is considered the least difficult of the three crater ascent paths, but it is still a strenuous hike. After thirty minutes of hiking, you will encounter rocky bends and twists that extend for over 600m (2,000ft) until you reach Gillman's Point. The crater rim hike will take about 2 hours. Upon reaching the summit, you will have time to take photographs and celebrate your achievement. We will then begin the descent to Horombo Hut, our final stop on the route. The descent offers breathtaking views that were not visible during the ascent. We will arrive at the Horombo Huts in the afternoon, allowing you to savor your last moments on the mountain.
Accomodation
- Horombo Hut (Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro)
Meal & Drinks
- All Meals Included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5 - Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
After breakfast, we will finish the trek by descending the Marangu Gate. The final hike is truly magical as you will walk through Mount Kilimanjaro's tranquil cloud forest. Please be cautious as the trail can be quite slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to drive you back to Arusha. You will have the opportunity to purchase sodas and souvenirs to commemorate your conquest of the Marangu Route. Additionally, you can extend your stay in Tanzania by going on a wildlife safari to see the Big Five in Tanzania's national parks.
Accomodation
- Your Hotel (Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro)
Meal & Drinks
- Breakfast & Lunch (Dinner Not included)
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
PHOTOS
Inclusions
Porterage
Rescue fee
Park fees
All activities
All accommodation
A professional driver / guide
All transportation
All Taxes / VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
Meals
Drinking water
EXCLUSIONS
Climbing gear
International flights
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips
Personal items
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Highlights
Rainforest Zone
Begin your trek through the lush rainforests at the base of Mount Kilimanjaro. This area is rich with unique plant life, towering trees, and the chance to spot monkeys like the blue monkey and Colobus monkey.
Moorland and Heath Zones
As you ascend, the landscape changes dramatically from dense rainforest to open moorland, with giant heathers and unique vegetation like the giant groundsels and lobelias, providing striking views of Kilimanjaro’s peaks.
Mawenzi and Kibo Views
Trekking past Horombo Hut, you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Kilimanjaro’s twin peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, with rugged and scenic landscapes stretching out before you.
Kibo Hut
Located at the foot of Kibo, this high-altitude base camp is where you’ll prepare for the final summit push. The view of the mountain is breathtaking from this point.
Summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters)
The ultimate highlight of the trek is reaching Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime sunrise at the summit, with views of the glaciers, crater rim, and expansive plains below.
Gillman’s Point
Before reaching the summit, trekkers pass Gillman’s Point on the crater rim, offering rewarding views and a sense of achievement.
