Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

Marangu route 'the coca cola route', continues to be one of the popular Mt Kilimanjaro trekking routes. The relative 'comfort' of sleeping in huts is especially welcome if climbing Mount Kilimanjaro in the rainy season (March to May and November). The huts are furnished with bunk beds and climbers are supplied with mattresses and pillows. The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut. There is also solar power inside the huts.

DAY 1, MOSHI – MARANGU GATE – MANDARA HUTS:

After breakfast pack every thing for hiking the mountain. Your mountain guide will brief you before leaving to the gate for hiking reservations at Marangu gate-(1800m). After registrations and weighing of the luggage to be carried by the porters, start hiking through the dense rain forest with your picnic lunch box to Mandara Huts- (2700m) distance is 8km; altitude gained is 900m and it takes 3-4hrs. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Huts.

DAY 2, MANDARA HUTS – HOROMBO HUTS:

After breakfast in the morning, start the hike through the

heath and moorland to Horombo huts- (3720m). The distance is 12km, altitude gained is 1020m and it takes

5-6hrs with picnic lunch box. Dinner and Overnight at Horombo Huts.

DAY 3, ACCLIMITIZATION DAY AT HOROMBO HUTS:

This will be an acclimatization day and after breakfast you will walk to Mawenzi Hut- (4600m) and to Zebra Rocks for acclimatization for 3hours then return to Horombo Huts- (3720m) for lunch then rest until the following day.

DAY 4, HOROMBO HUTS – KIBO HUTS:

After breakfast begin the walk through the alpine desert to Kibo huts- (4703m).The distance is 15km, altitude gained is 983m and it takes 5-6hrs. The walk passes through semi-desert landscape on the Saddle. Early dinner to allow an early rest and get up in the midnight for summit packing.

DAY 5, KIBO HUTS – UHURO PEAK – HOROMBO HUTS:

At the midnight have hot drink and some cookies and then begin the walk to Uhuru peak- (5895m). The distance is 6km and it will take about 6-7hrs to reach the summit. Enjoy taking photos of the peak and the sunrise if it will be on a clear day and descend back to Kibo huts about 3-4hrs for breakfast and a short rest before continuing to Horombo huts- (3720m) for dinner and overnight. Distance covered from Kibo huts to Uhuru peak is 6.25km and altitude gained is 1181m. Then distance covered from Kibo huts to Horombo huts is 9.5km and altitude lost is 983m.

DAY 6, HOROMBO HUTS – MARANGU GATE:

After breakfast descend to Mandara huts- ( 2700m) for lunch then proceed on through the rain forest to Marangu gate (Distance will be 27km, about 7hrs) where you will receive your certificate for those whom will have made it to the top and catch a waiting car to drive you back to the Hotel in Moshi and end of the climb. Distance covered 12.5km and altitude lost is 1020m.