5 Days Marangu Route
Destinations:
Marangu Gate → Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak → Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate.
Safari Overview
This 5-day route is the shortest among the Kilimanjaro routes and one of the most developed routes leading up to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895m). It is popularly known as the “Coca-Cola Route” because it uses an established trail with an even slope and is ideal for those who want a shorter Kilimanjaro hiking route.
What makes this trail unique from the rest of the Kilimanjaro trails is that hikers on this route do not have to sleep in tents but in mountain huts in dormitories with wood-burning stoves, which provide warmth. The path leads through diverse scenery ranging from rainforests at Marangu Gate, heath and moorlands, alpine desert up to the Uhuru Peak.
Experiences:
Mountain Trekking, Summit Adventure, Scenic Landscapes, Photography, Nature Walks, Cultural Experience, Sunrise Views, High-Altitude Adventure
Suitable for:
Adventure Seekers, Hikers, Nature Lovers, Photography Enthusiasts, Fitness Enthusiasts, and First-Time Kilimanjaro Climbers.
FULL ITINERARY
Day 1: Moshi/Arusha – Marangu Gate (1,870m) to Mandara Hut (2,720m)
Your trekking journey begins with an early morning transfer from Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate (1,870m). This is where the Kilimanjaro trek officially begins after the park registration process. Here, you will meet your mountain guides, porters and cook who will be trekking alongside you all the way. Your hike begins on a well maintained trail that passes through a tropical rain forest with large trees, ferns and numerous wild animals, like monkeys and birds.
After walking for about 4–5 hours, you will reach the Mandara hut (2,720m). The Mandara hut is a wooden dormitory style mountain hut where you will spend the night.
In the afternoon, you can undertake a short hike to the Maundi crater where you will enjoy the magnificent view of Mawenzi Peak and Kenya plains before retreating back to the hut for dinner and overnight stay.
Elevation: 1,870m to 2,720m
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Habitat: Rainforest
Meal Plan
Bed and Breakfast
Overnight
Comfortable hotel in Arusha
Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,720m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)
After an early breakfast, you depart from the rainforest and proceed into the heath and moorland area. You will encounter a continuous ascent that provides an excellent view of Mawenzi peak (5,149m), the second highest peak of Kilimanjaro. Throughout the journey, the terrain is expected to transform as you experience vegetation such as giant heather, lobelia, and giant groundsel.
The hike to Horombo hut (3,720m) is about 11 km (6.8 miles) and takes approximately 5–6 hours. Due to increased altitude, you might start feeling the thin atmosphere. Once at the campsite, you will be provided with spectacular views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Horombo hut is bigger compared to Mandara hut since it offers large dining rooms where climbers can rest. You will then have enough time to get ready for the next climb.
Elevation: 2,720m to 3,720m
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Distance: 11 km / 6.8 miles
Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Hut
Day 3: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Kibo Hut (4,703m)
The hike today is going to be more strenuous as you hike further into the alpine desert which will be characterized by very little vegetation and many rocks. You will hike past the famous point known as Last Water Point before crossing The Saddle which forms a wide plateau between the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.
After about 6–7 hours of hiking over a distance of 10 km (6.2 miles) you will get to the Kibo Hut which will mark your last place of stay before summiting the mountain at an altitude of 4,703m. At this high altitude you will notice some signs of altitude sickness. Dinner will be available early enough leaving you ample time to get some sleep before the midnight ascent.
Elevation: 3,720m to 4,703m
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Distance: 10 km / 6.2 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Hut
Day 4: Kibo Hut (4,703m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)
This is the toughest and most memorable day of the trip. You start climbing at about 12:30 am and make a slow ascent in the dark, using headlamps while following the trail on the mountain. It is quite hard to walk because of the cold and lack of oxygen; but the guide keeps you going slowly and steadily saying “pole pole”.
After about 5-6 hours of hiking, you reach Gilman’s Point (5,685m), which is located on the edge of the crater. Here the sunrise brings incredible views from the top of the mountain. After another 1-2 hours of hiking you get to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – the highest point in Africa. While standing on the roof of Africa, you can admire the glaciers, volcanoes, and the distant horizon.
After taking some pictures and having some rest, you will go down to Kibo Hut for lunch and then move on to Horombo Hut (3,720m), where you will spend the night. Though it is harder on the knees, the descending is a little easier than the ascending because of the lower altitude and higher amount of oxygen. The duration of hiking will be 10-14 hours.
Elevation: 4,703m to 5,895m (Uhuru Peak), then down to 3,720m
Hiking Time: 10–14 hours (6–8 hours to summit, 4–6 hours descent)
Distance: 22 km / 13.7 miles
Habitat: Arctic to Alpine Desert to Moorland
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Hut
Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,870m) – Moshi/Arusha
Your last day of hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro involves descending through the heath and moorland zones before getting back into the lush rainforest zone. This descent through Marangu Gate will cover a distance of approximately 20km (12.4 miles) and will take you between 6 to 7 hours. It is important to note that the weather gets better and warmer during this stage.
After exiting through Marangu Gate, you will be taken through park exit procedures, and you will get your mountaineering certificate known as a Green Certificate if you reached Gilman’s Point or Gold Certificate if you managed to reach Uhuru Peak. You will then be transferred by your driver to Moshi or Arusha where you can have a hot bath and sumptuous meal.
Elevation: 3,720m to 1,870m
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Distance: 20 km / 12.4 miles
Habitat: Heath and Rainforest
Meal Plan
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Overnight
Hut
Price Includes
English speaking professional mountain guide
Porters for luggage (1 porter for every 2 people)
4 x 4 transportation from Kilimanjaro Airport to Hotel and vice versa
Bottled mineral water while trekking
Full Board Accommodation on Mountain (huts)
All fees in the park including fees for entering the Kilimanjaro National Park
Meals as per itinerary (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Certificates for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro if climbed successfully
All government taxes of Tanzania
Trekking equipment information and support
Price Excludes
Tanzania International Flights
Visas and airport departure tax
Personal belongings (snacks, toiletries, clothing)
Mountain laundry or hotel laundry
Tips or gratuities to guides and porters
Alcohol and non-alcohol beverages not included in the program
Travel insurance (required for treks)
Extra optional activities (e.g., cultural tours, additional days)
Any additional changes the client asks for at the last minute
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