5 Days Marangu Route

5-days-marangu-route-steppe-dogs

Marangu Route 5 days On the Mountain plus 2 nights on arrival and departure day

Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well-established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations.

The Marangu route is probably followed by 90% of all climbers!

The trek starts at Marangu Gate. Porters will carry all your personal items, equipment, and supplies and a cook prepares your delicious meals.

Marangu route has a well-defined path, which has been well set out where most obstacles have been modified to make it friendly. This is a very scenic route with good views of Mawenzi and excellent prospects for viewing and reaching the summit.

Day 1: JRO Airport – Moshi town

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport; meet by our knowledgeable driver-guide, after greetings and double-check your bags will transfer you to Moshi town (45 minutes’ drive). Briefing will be provided by your Kilimanjaro professional and experienced guide. Your Kilimanjaro guide will also check your climbing equipment’s. Anything missing can be rented for you.

Accommodation:       Panama Garden Resort (https://panamagardenresort.co.tz/ ) or Similar

Day 2: Moshi/Arusha Town – Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut

A morning pre-climb briefing and introductions with our team precede the drive to Kilimanjaro Park’s Eastern Gate: Marangu, which lies at 1,860 m. Here, your head guide arranges all necessary permits and registration for rescue and search services before you start the walk to Mandara Hut’s 2,700 m. The trail takes you through rain forest with its high probability of rain showers, so bring a raincoat.

This being your first day at high altitude we strongly recommend the following:

  • Do not consume any caffeine or alcohol
  • Drink often, a little at a time for a total daily intake of 4 litres minimum.
  • Take Diamox for relief from altitude sickness symptoms. It is usually taken in the morning before the day’s climbing. Consult your physician before undertaking the trip to check for possible contraindications.
  • Heed your body’s warnings and promptly inform your guide of any adverse symptoms.

Acclimatization-associated discomfort is common at night, when your body gets less oxygen than during the day. This is normally expressed in the form of nausea and headaches.

Change in Elevation:  Marangu Gate (1,860m) – Mandara Hut (2,700m)

Hiking Distance: 11km

Hiking Time: 5 – 7 hours

Accommodation:         Mandara Hut

Day 3:  Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut

Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second-high altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcanos at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.

Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you.

Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.

Trekking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Change in Elevation: Mandara Hut (2,700m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

Hiking Distance: 10km

Hiking Time:  5-6 hours

Acclimatization hike:

Change in Elevation:  Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Destination en route to Kibo Hut (3,920m)

Hiking Distance:  2.5km

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Accommodation:        Horombo Hut

Day 4: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut

On this day, right after breakfast, the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trekking is not very difficult, just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for climbing Kilimanjaro’s summit. When you reach the camp, you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.

Change in Elevation:  Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Kibo Hut (4,700m)

Hiking Distance: 10km

Hiking Time:  4- 8 hours

Accommodation:         Kibo Hut

Day 5:  Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro’s summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). This stretch of Marangu Route is of moderate physical difficulty, but high altitude puts any climbers body to the test. For the entire length of the trekking each pair of climbers will be accompanied by their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).

Please note: 90% of mountain accidents – including broken limbs – happen on the way down. However, they are easily avoided by taking care of how and where you step.

Change in Elevation:  Kibo Hut (4,700m) – Uhuru Peak (4,700m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

Hiking Distance: 16km

Hiking Time:  9 – 12 hours

Accommodation:          Horombo Hut

Day 6:  Horombo hut – Marangu gate – Moshi town

You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park’s exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Marangu Gate (1,860m)

Hiking Distance: 18km

Hiking Time:  5 – 6 hours

Accommodation:       Panama Garden Resort (https://panamagardenresort.co.tz/ ) or Similar

Day 7:  Moshi Town – JRO Airport

After breakfast at your hotel today we shall have a short walk around Moshi town then transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home. Or connect with local flight to Zanzibar.

Note: while most hotels have a 10:00 AM check-out policy, they also offer late check-out for those with evening or night flights. The fees are moderate.

Also: the Kilimanjaro climb can be combined with any of our regular safari itineraries or can be done alone as a stand expedition.

End of the tour!!

5 Days Climbing Marangu route price

Number of Pax

1Pax

2Pax

3Pax

4Pax

5Pax

6Pax

7Pax

8+Pax
Price in $$ Per person sharing

$2 296

$1 869

$1 766

$1 688

$1 665

$1 597

$1 565

$1547

Inclusive

  • All internal transfers
  • All meals during the trekking (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
  • Drinking water
  • Accommodations on mountains (Huts)
  • 2 nights in town on arrival and departure day (Bed & Breakfast)
  • Knowledgeable guide, assistance guide, cook, porters, and rescue
  • Entrance fee to the national park
  • Hut fee
  • Rescue fees
  • Valued Added Tax (VAT) 18%

Exclusive

  • International flights
  • Visa for Tanzania
  • Travel insurance
  • Beverages
  • Personal things like sleeping bags, rucksack, footwear, other clothing, etc
  • Tips to your guides/cook/porters and personal expenses such as laundry and communication.