5 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro hiking

5Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro hiking

The Marangu route, also known as the "Coca-Cola" route, is the oldest, most well-established route on Kilimanjaro. This five Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro hiking is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations in lieu of camping. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. 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. Many favor Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. However, the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason.

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Day 1: Kilimanjaro National Park Gate to Mandara Hut

Elevation: 5,500 ft / 1,700 m to 9,000 ft / 2,740 m Distance: 7 km Time: 4-5 hours Climatic Zone: Montane Forest Meals: L, D Hut: Mandara Hut After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. 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, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Elevation: 9,000 ft / 2,700 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m Distance: 11 km Time: 6-8 hours Climatic Zone: Heathland/ Moorland Meals: B, L, D Hut: Horombo Hut You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Elevation: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 15,400 ft / 4,700 m Distance: 10 km Time: 6-8 hours Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert Meals: B, L, D Hut: Kibo Hut Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit then Horombo Hut

Elevation: 15,400 ft / 4,700 m to 19,300 ft / 5,895 m 19,300 ft / 5,895 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down Time: 10-15 hours Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert Meals: B, L, D Hut: Horombo Camp Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the 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. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi

m to 5,500 ft / 1,700 m Distance: 18km Time: 5-7 hours Meals: B After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration! Day of departure: Transfer to the Kilimanjaro Airport.