5 Days Marangu Route

Tour Overview

Marangu Route, popularly called “Coca-Cola Route”, is the most renowned route to trek Kilimanjaro. Marangu is the only route that provides sleeping in huts, all the way to Uhuru Peak, contrary to all other routes where you get to sleep in tents/sleeping bags. The route is very steady, with gradual slopes, but it is far from easy. It has a very low success rate, because trackers tend to not take it seriously, due to its reputation to be “Tourists Route”. You do not need camping gear while trekking Marangu, but by all means you need to be physically prepared for the climb, otherwise there is a good chance for dropping out before reaching the top. The route is offered at 5 or 6 days, but note that on shorter plan you do not have a day for acclimatization, which is usually necessary to accommodate high altitude conditions. Descend is at Marangu gate.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro?

Taking on the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro is no small feat, primarily due to the high altitude, the pace of ascent, and the varying temperatures you’ll encounter. On an average day of the trek, you can expect to hike for six to seven hours. However, if you maintain good health and fitness, reaching the summit is entirely achievable. There are several strategies you can employ to enhance your chances of success and ensure a rewarding experience throughout the journey.

First and foremost, patience is key. Avoid rushing your hike; allowing your body ample time to adapt and acclimatize is crucial for your well-being.
Preparation is essential. Being physically fit will significantly ease the climbing process. Engage in hiking several months prior to your expedition, focusing on multi-day hikes for optimal training.
Additionally, incorporating running and aerobic exercises into your routine will further prepare you for the ascent. Consider adding an extra day to your itinerary. It’s challenging to predict who might experience altitude sickness, but by extending your climb by an additional day, you can mitigate this risk. Spreading the trek over more days allows your body to acclimatize more effectively to the higher elevations. We strongly recommend this approach to maximize your chances of reaching the summit.

BOOK THIS TREK

Included

Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
All meals while on the Mountain
Arrival and Departure transfers
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Rescue fees
All national park fees
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari

Excluded

Itinerary

Day 0: ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI
Day 1: MARANGU GATE (1980M) – MANDARA HUT (2700M)
Day 2: MANDARA HUT (2700M) TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)
Day 3: HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO KIBO HUT (4700M)
Day 4: SUMMIT (FROM KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK (5895M) THEN DOWN TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)
Day 5: HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO MARANGU GATE (1980M)

Day 0

ARRIVAL - DRIVE TO MOSHI

Welcome to Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point by our transferring driver who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.

ACCOMMODATION: Selinero Hotel

Day 1

MARANGU GATE (1980M) – MANDARA HUT (2700M)

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Marangu gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your waiting lounge registering with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Mandara Huts in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight. Your Marangu Route 5 Days starts today.

ACCOMMODATION: Mandara Huts

Day 2

MANDARA HUT (2700M) TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)

Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m). Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.

ACCOMMODATION: Horombo Huts

Day 3

HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO KIBO HUT (4700M)

Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut (4700m). The upper route (located to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour shorter). Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

ACCOMMODATION: Kibo Huts

Day 4

SUMMIT (FROM KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK (5895M) THEN DOWN TO HOROMBO HUT (3720M)

Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow-covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours. At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day. Summit attempt of Marangu Route 5 Days.

ACCOMMODATION: Horombo Huts

Day 5

( extra acclimatization night if 6 days program) HOROMBO HUT (3720M) TO MARANGU GATE (1980M)

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations. End of Marangu Route 5 Days

ACCOMMODATION: Selinero Hotel / Airport

prices

	1 Pax	2 Pax	3 Pax	4 Pax	5 Pax	6 Pax	7 Pax	8 Pax	9 Pax	10 Pax
Marangu 5 days	$1,677	$1,326	$1,267	$1,175	$1,206	$1,173	$1,157	$1,155	$1,144	$1,135
Marangu 6 days	$1,959	$1,568	$1,507	$1,409	$1,437	$1,401	$1,384	$1,367	$1,355	$1,345

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+36 30 500 7500

info@kalaitaadventures.com