Tour Descriptions:

The Marangu route is also referred to as the “Coca-Cola route” because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain. It is the oldest and most well-established route on Kilimanjaro. Many favor Marangu due to its gradual slope and direct path. In this route, treks begin and ending at the Marangu gate, which is located in the south-east area of Kilimanjaro.

The Marangu route accommodation is in mountain huts, which makes the biggest difference compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.

Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path.

Tour Itinerary

Trek Highlights

• Arrival
• Day 1:Marangu Gate (1,870m/6,165) – Mandara Hut (2720m/8,860)
• Day 2:Mandara Hut (2720m/8,860) – Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ft)
• Day 3:Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ft) – Kibo Hut (4700m/15,420ft)
• Day 4:Kibo hut (4700m/15,420ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff)
• Day 5:Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff) -– Marangu Gate (1,870m/6,165)

End

 Day 1

Marangu Gate (1,870m/6,165) – Mandara Hut (2720m/8,860)

Distance: 8km
Environment: Montane Forest
Time: 3 to 4 hours

Start in the morning from the lodge in Moshi; you will make a way to the Marangu Gate, from where the trekking journey begins with all your equipment and belongings will be both organized and packed by the porters while you spend the time on the registration process with the National Park formalities before trek through the rainforest. On this phase, you should expect and encounter mild rain, fog, and mud. Game viewing opportunities also exist with possible sightings of Colobus monkeys.

You’ll get to reach Mandara Hut after ascending for 3 to 4 hours. Each hut has 6 to 8 sleeping bunk beds. Solar generated lightings are in place inside the huts. Flush toilets are there in central hut. Porters will arrive at the camp early to arranging drinking and washing water and chef will prepare all the dishes from scratch for the hikers. During night hours, the temperature drops below freezing point and trekkers are advised to be prepared for that.

Day 2

Mandara Hut (2720m/8,860) – Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ft)

Distance: 11km
Environment: Moorland
Time: 5 to 6 hours

After breakfast, you will begin the ascent out of the rainforest and into the heathen moorland. You will pass the Maundi Crater and 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).

Just like the previous night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water. Later evening snacks and eventually dinner will be prepared by our chef. As temperature drop below freezing point at this site, be prepared for the cold night.

Day 3

Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ft) – Kibo Hut (4700m/15,420ft)

Distance: 10 km
Environment: Alpine desert
Time: 5 to 6 hours

To begin, you will continue across the heath as it slowly turns into the parched, desolate highlands between Mawenzi and Kibo. The scenery here is littered with huge and small volcanic rocks, acting as a testament to the volcanic activity of years past. The final stretch to the Kibo Huts is very steep and physically challenging.

Once you arrive at the Kibo Huts, it is time to organize your equipment and warm clothes for tomorrow’s journey to the peak. To prevent freezing, keep any water your plan on bringing in a thermos. Get to bed early, as the next day’s trek requires a full night’s sleep worth of energy. You are getting ready to take on Kilimanjaro’s most ultimate challenge.

Day 4

Kibo hut (4700m/15,420ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,350ft) – Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff)

Distance: 22km
Environment: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Time: 7 hours to Uhuru /3 hours back to Kibo/ 3 hours to Horombo.

You will start early, around 11 pm or midnight. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Making it to this section is itself an impressive achievement as the trail is rocky, steep, and located at a higher altitude. On the crater rim, you have Gilman’s Point from where you’ll trek all the way to Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters.

Trail is fully covered with snow and reaching to the summit is an accomplishment of a lifetime. You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Kibo begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.

At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot brunch before continue descending down to Horombo for dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

Day 5

Horombo Hut (3720m/12,200ff) -– Marangu Gate (1,870m/6,165)

Distance: 19km
Environment: Montane Forest
Time: 6 to 8 hours

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. You can present your tips or gifts to the guide, assistant guides, porters, and chefs individually or hand it to their chief. Leaving them behind, you can descend back to Mweka Gate.

It is required by the national park to sign individually on required documents to receive certificate of completion. Hikers who make it to Stella Point at 5685 meters and Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters are presented with certificates. The driver will be waiting to take you back to the hotel accommodation in Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Group Price

$1450 Per Person from 2 climbers

What's Includes

• 2 Night Hotel accommodation in Moshi, a day before trek and a day after trek
• Transportation to and from your selected route
• Quality, Waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tent
• Quality Mess tents with table and chairs 
• Certified, experienced, English speaking mountain guides
• All Tanzanian National Park Fees  
• Airport pickup and dropoff
• Climbing permits     
• Full board nutritious Meals prepared by our cook while on Mountain
• Guides, Porters and Cook Salaries
• Fair and ethical treatment of Porters       
• Safety Equipment
• Emergency Oxygen  
• Pulse Ox meter
• Water provided on climb, mineral water for the first day and boiled water every day
• Emergency rescue fees
• Personal Summit Certificate signed by the National Park and your Guide
• Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick

What’s not included

• Personal items and toiletries          
• Tips for guides, porters and cook
• Flight tickets
• All items of person nature such as telephone call, fax, email etc
• Alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
• Laundry services
• Visa and International flight tickets fees.
• Lunch or dinner at hotel