Explore the Kilimanjaro National Park

6-Day Marangu Route

Tour Overview

The Marangu Route, often called the Coca-Cola Route, is popular for its shorter duration and the comfort of permanent huts at the campsites. The summit night involves a steep climb from Kibo Hut, passing Gilman’s Point before reaching Uhuru Peak. Due to its steeper incline and less time for acclimatization, this route has a lower summit success rate. It’s also the only route where the ascent and descent paths are shared, leading to higher traffic.

  • Duration: 5 or 6 days
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Scenery: Good
  • Traffic: High

Detailed Itinerary

Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our guide will be there to greet you. He will transfer you to your hotel where you can unwind after your flight. If you arrive via a different airport or location, just let us know, and we can arrange convenient transfers. Before your climb begins, you’ll meet with your guide for a briefing. He’ll provide details on what to wear, what to pack in your backpack, and other important tips to ensure your climb is as comfortable as possible.

Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts: 8.3km /5mi | 4-5 Hrs | Rainforest
Departing from Moshi, a 1-hour drive will take you through the village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. While we wait for our permits to be issued, you can observe the busy operations as crews prepare for their journeys. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and winding trails as your guide shares insights about the local flora, fauna, and wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and slippery, so we highly recommend using gaiters and trekking poles.
Day 2: Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts: 12.5km / 7.8mi | 6-8 Hrs | Moorland
On the second day, you hike for 5-6 hours with a steep climb to begin with and you will start to feel the altitude with the first mountain peak of Kilimanjaro in sight, Mawenzi peak. After some time, you reach a first cave where you get some time to explore. Lunch is taken in the second cave. In the afternoon, the climb gets less steep and you finish the hike towards the camp in a sheltered valley near Kikelewa or the third cave.
Day 3: Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts: 10.8km / 6.7mi | 5-7 Hrs | Alpine Desert
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we will leave the rainforest behind and continue our ascent through the heathland, keeping an eye out for giant lobelias and groundsels. As we move into the open moorlands, small shrubs become the dominant vegetation. We’ll stop halfway for a rest and to take in the stunning views.
Day 4: Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts: 10.5km / 6mi | 6-8 Hrs | Semi-Desert
After breakfast, we’ll continue through the diminishing heathland, which gradually transitions into a moonscape as we enter the expansive saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. During our lunch stop here, you’ll have the chance to observe the summit climb up Kibo, which you’ll be starting in just a few hours.
Day 5: Kibo Huts – Summit: 6.25km / 3.9mi Up | 5-7 Hrs | – Horombo Huts: 15.75km / 9mi Down | 5-6 Hrs | Glaciers, Snow-Capped Summit

Excitement builds as morning approaches with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This section of the trek is the most mentally and physically challenging. We make our way to the summit in a switchback formation, staying warm and focused on the remarkable achievement ahead. Ascending through heavy scree and possibly snow, we aim for Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. Here, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent sunrise. Faster hikers might catch the sunrise from the summit.

From Gillman’s Point, it’s a final 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, where you’re likely to encounter snow. Congratulations! You’ve reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

After taking photos, celebrating, and perhaps shedding a few tears of joy, we begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We recommend using gaiters and trekking poles for navigating loose gravel and volcanic ash. A well-deserved rest awaits as you enjoy your final evening on the mountain at Mweka Camp.

Day 6: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi: 20km / 12.5mi | 6-7 Hrs | Rainforest
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent, stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, as you will be leaving them here. We return to the Marangu Park Gate, where you will receive your summit certificates. With the weather being significantly warmer, the terrain will be wet, muddy, and steep. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for a more comfortable descent.

Price Inclusions

IncludedExcluded

 

  • Park fees
  • Pickup and transfer airport
  • Porters who carry your luggage
  • Private cook speaking fluently English
  • Private guide speaking fluently English
  • Chairs and tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • High quality tents (including dinner-tent
  • International flights and visas
  • Travel insurance
  • Accommodation on day of arrival and departure

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+255 753 512 104

info@mtembezisafaris.com