Marangu Route – 5 Days Trek – Africa Magic Holidays & Tours

Route Overview

This is the most popular route known as the ‘coca-cola route’, Due to their uniqueness is the oldest and one of the most preferable routes. Many agree that, this is the easiest and shortest route to Kilimanjaro summit point, given its gradual slope.

Although is the easiest route because no technical skills are required for this five-day trek. It is not as scenic as other routes. However, some prefer this route because it is the only route on the mountain that has huts provided for hikers.

There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. During peak season these huts can be very overloaded so as advance booking of hut accommodation is required to avoid any inconveniences

The Marangu route is usually done in 5 days; we would highly recommend all to add an additional day for better acclimatization.

Trekking Itinerary

DAY 1: MARANGU GATE (1,870 METERS) TO MANDARA HUT (2,700 METERS)

After breakfast and briefing from your guide you will be collected from your hotel in Moshi and you will be driven to the gate from Moshi, which takes approximately an hour and passes through the village of Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work and registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities has been completed your trek can begin. Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest. Within the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and monkeys. At these lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy so trekking poles will help.

Mandara Hut
Distance: | 8km / 5 mile
Approx. trekking time: | 7 hours
Zone: | Rainforest

DAY 2: MANDARA HUT (2,700 METERS) TO HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS)

Day two on the Marangu Route begins with an early start. You will be served breakfast and should be on your way by latest 08:30. The trek continues through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you should definitely take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo. During the trek you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude. At Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) you will be served dinner and shown to your sleeping quarters for the night.

Horombo Hut
Distance: | 11.5km / 7 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 6 – 8 hours
Zone: | Rainforest/Low Alpine Zone

DAY 3: HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS) TO KIBO HUT (4,700 METERS)

Day three on the Marangu Route is long and tough. There are two routes to Kibo. The first, or upper route, forks to the right. You will most likely take the lower left hand route as it is easier and nearly an hour shorter. On the left hand route you will pass the last water point at 4,130 meters. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5-6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short. Make sure that you have all your gear ready for a prompt departure.

Kib Huto
Distance: | 10km / 6 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 5 – 7 hours
Zone: | Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

DAY 4: KIBO HUT (4,700m) TO UHURU PEAK (5,895m) AND THEN HOROMBO HUT (3,720m)

Day four begins with summit night. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) the crater rim of Kilimanjaro where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1-2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1-2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Uhuru Peak
Distance: | 22km / 13.7 miles
Approx. trekking time: | 6-8 hrs to the summit and then 5-8 hrs to Horombo Hut
Zone: | Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone

DAY 5: HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS) TO MARANGU GATE (1,870 METERS)

Day five is the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220meters, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681meters) the crater rim of Kilimanjaro where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1-2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895meters. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed hours break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Marangu Gate
Distance: | 20km / 12.5 mile s
Approx. trekking time: | 6- 8 hours
Zone: | Low alpine zone and rainforest

DAY 6: DEPART TANZANIA

This day left for your next destination. A vehicle will take you back to the Hotel in Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration. Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to beaches in Zanzibar so as we can arrange many reasonably priced trips and safaris around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region. If you fly back home our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.

Moshi

THE CLIMB COST INCLUDES:

Pre & Post Trek accommodation
Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees & services
Double layered Sleeping Mats
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Filtered water throughout the trek
Portable toilets and toilets tents
Hot Water For Washing Purpose
Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro international airport.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)

THE CLIMB COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

International flights
Tips to mountain crew
Cost of Visas.
Insurance fees
Bank transfer charges & card payments processing fee.
Expenses belong to person nature e.g Drinks not included on the meal plans, personal purchases, Laundry etc.

Marangu Route – 5 Days Trek