6 Days - Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is also known as the "Coca Cola" or "tourist" route. It is the easiest and shortest route to the summit. This is also the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every camp site with solar lights and comfortable beds.
Bathrooms and running water are available at the two lower huts. Men’s and ladies' latrines are available at the last camp but are very basic. All climbing groups, often from several countries around the world, share meals in dining huts providing a jovial and energetic atmosphere. Soft drinks, bottled water, and beer may be for sale at the huts. Bring small Tanzanian bills to purchase these items.
Day 1:
Marangu Gate (1,860m) – Mandara Hut (2,720m)
Hiking Time: 7km taking 3-4 hours
Terrain: Montane forest
Your first day will start at Marangu gate, where your group will be registered and you will meet your guide and porters who will become your family for the next 6 days! Your guide will lead you through a cleared trail through a dense forest area which will quickly branch off, leading you alongside a stream.
There are two paths you can take once you reach the stream, both will take you to the Mandara Hut in time for dinner and much needed rest.
Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2:
Mandara Hut (2,720m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Hiking Time: 11km taking 5-6 hours
Terrain: Montane forest, heather and moorland
Today will be filled with mountain scenery and beautiful landscape. In the morning you will pass through multiple terrains. Starting through the forest and skirting around the base of Maundi Crater, crossing meadows, and a wooded stream before reaching lush grassland.
Your path will take you across numerous moorland ravines before reaching Horombo hut, set in a rocky valley amongst giant sceneries or groundsels. This is where you will make camp.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 3:
Horombo Hut – Acclimatisation
Hiking Time: 5-8km taking 3-4 hours
Terrain: Heather, moorland and alpine desert
Today is your acclimatisation day, to prepare you for the journey to the top! You will start by taking the ‘upper route’ to Zebra Rocks and then up to the saddle which lies in-between the two major peaks of Kilimanjaro, Kibo and Mawenzi. Here you will have a spectacular view of the Kibo desert. Today you will have reached 3,980m.
You will return to Horombo hut for lunch and relaxation.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 4:
Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Kibo Hut (4,700m)
Hiking Time: 12km taking 5-6 hours
Terrain: Heather, moorland and alpine desert
Today’s path will take you through the rocky and rugged terrain. You will have to choose between two different routes up to the saddle, where your next camp lies. The fastest route will take you over a rocky and eroded path while the second is lengthier but much smoother.
You will have an early night at Kibo, as you will be up before the sun tomorrow to start your final climb to the summit.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 5:
Kibo Hut (4,700m)– Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Hiking Time: 21km taking 12-16 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert, snow, heather and moorland
Today is the day! You will start the climb at 2 am (or earlier). The climb will take you past the final waypoint, Hans Meyer cave (5,888m/19,318ft) after which you will scramble over rocks to Johannes Notch and Gillman’s Point. From there, the trail continues along the rim past Stella Point until you finally reach the summit of Uhuru Peak. You have finally done it! You have reached the highest point on in Africa at 5,895m/19,341 ft. This achievement will be tough to top, that’s for sure.
After a moment of basking in your triumph, you will start your descent down to Kibo Hut for a meal and rest continue to descend to Horombo hut.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
Day 6:
Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Marangu Gate (1,860m)
Hiking Time: 12km taking 5-6 hours
Your decent to the Marangu Gate will seem like a breeze after the day you just had. Now it’s time to say kwaheri to your guides and porters. You will be taken to your hotel for dinner and for what will probably feel like the best shower you have ever had.
Meals: Breakfast and lunch
Accommodation at arrival and after trekking mountain Kilimanjaro can be arranged for special price.
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides and porters
- All Park fees, Airport transfers and rescue fees
- All meals while on the mountain
- Quality Mess tents
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Laundry (available at hotel)
- Visa fees
- Tips for guides, porters and cooks.
- Medical kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Oximeter