6 Days Marangu Route

Kilimanjaro's fastest, shortest, and most popular route is the 'Coca Cola' route. Usually, the journey takes 5 days. You may, however, also add an additional day of acclimatization to make it a 6-day journey. The most popular route taken by trekkers to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro is Marangu. It takes you to the Top at Uhuru Point at a gentle pace through trees, moorlands and then through a high-altitude desert dubbed 'The Saddle'. It is normally a less costly route to follow and allows you the ability to finish the route in five days, while certain individuals choose an additional day for acclimatization. One of the main differences of this route is that it offers hut accommodation which is unavailable on other routes.

Day 1: Marangu gate/ Mandara hut.

After breakfast in the hotel with your picnic lunch boxes drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (Marangu gate) 45- minutes from Moshi Town, for registration and commence the climb. Then walk through the rainforest to Mandara encampment located at 9000ft/ 2740m, this will took about 4-5 hours from the gate to reach Mandara hut for dinner and overnight. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya, in the rainforest look for towering Eucalyptus trees, Birds life and Colubus monkeys.

 

Day 2: Mandara to Horombo hut.

After breakfast with your packed lunch starts ascend to horombo hut which takes 6-8 hours (12,100ft/3700m). On this day just 1 hour you end the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the horombo encampment, here views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. On the way looks for Giant lobelias you will start to feel the effects of the altitude.

If you wish to extend your trek, here you can spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.

 

Day 3: Mawenzi saddle/ Horombo.

This is special day to hike around to Mawenzi peak where you will take a picture then descend down to Horombo again to have lunch and rest till evening for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 4: Horombo to Kibo hut.

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Vegetation begins with upper heath land but then disappears into “moonscape”. It will take about 6-8hours Alpine Desert (15,400ft/4700m). Dinner, rest and preparation for summit climb.

 

Day 5: Summit/ Horombo hut.

Early around 2am in the midnight, climb to the summit on steep and heavy screen or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim at 18640ft/5861m (4-7hours). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru peak which is the highest point in Africa: 19340ft/5895m (1-2hours). Unbelievable views at every turn. Get your pictures at the summit then descend to Kibo stopping here for lunch and rest before continuing to Horombo encampment for dinner and tired but happy overnight (1-2hours).

The beginning of this climb is done in dark and requires headlamps or flashlights, it will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far, the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. ”Pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you here!

 

Day 6: Mandara hut, transfer to Moshi or Arusha (Hotel)

After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m/8858ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National park gate at Marangu (1830m/6004ft). At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. So gaiters and trekking poles will help you. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

You will meet the vehicle at Marangu village to d rive you back to your hotel in Arusha for dinner and overnight. It is time for celebration!!

6 days Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route
5 nights’ accommodations during the climbing
All climbing gears and camping equipments
Full board meals during the hike
Emergency First Aid kit, including: Emergency Oxygen, stethoscope.
Airport transfers,/ Kilimanjaro Airport(JRO) or Arusha Airport
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
All parks entrance fees and camping fees
Transfers from the hotel to the starting point of the climb
Mineral water
Hiking support team (Cook, assistant, porters)
Emergency Communications systems
Free pickup in residential house or hotel in Arusha or Moshi
Other dietary requirements on request

Guide, Cook and porters gratitude / tips
Items of a personal nature
Optional activities
Boiled / filtered water on the mountain. (Plastic water bottles are not permitted in the Park, so please be sure to bring and fill up your reusable water bottle on the first day of the climb).
Alcohol drinks
Domestic and international flights
Travel insurance and visas
Accommodation /meals one night before the climbing and last day after the climb in case clients will prefer to overnight with an extra charges we can arrange.