Wild Excursions & Safaris

6 Days Kilimanjaro Climb – Marangu Route

The Kilimanjaro Marangu Route is also known as the “Coca Cola” or “tourist” route. It is the easiest and shortest route to the summit or to the roof of Africa. This is also the only route with the privileges of sleeping huts at every campsite with solar lights and comfortable beds. The huts are basic, and the bunks have a sponge mattresses and pillows.

There are 100 beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts and 200 beds at Horombo Hut. All climbers or groups are often from several countries from all around the world, share meals in dining huts providing a jolly and energetic atmosphere. Soft drinks, bottled water, beer, and liquor may be for sale at the huts.

This route is usually done in 5 days but we recommend it to be done in 6 days for better acclimatization. If done in 5 days then the extra day can be spent resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.

  • Day 1:Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu, Hike to Mandara Hut (LD)
  • Day 2: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (BLD)
  • Day 3: Rest day at Horombo Hut (BLD)
  • Day 4: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (BLD)
  • Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut (BLD)
  • Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Moshi (B)

6 Days 5 Nights Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate, Hike to Mandara Hut (LD)

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, then we do register, and then start the climb. Walkthrough the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A excursion trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, looking at towering Eucalyptus trees, birds singing, and Colobus monkeys jumping from brunches to brunches would make your heart filled with joy.

— Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
— Distance: 8km/5mi
— Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
— Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mandara Hut

Day 2: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (BLD)

We leave the glades of the rainforest and follow a gradually ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi peak and the summit of Kibo are mervelous. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. From here we may start to feel the effects of the altitude.

— Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
— Distance: 12km/7.5mi
— Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
— Habitat: Heathland

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut

Day 3: Rest Day at Horombo Hut (BLD)

Rest day at Horombo Hut after a two-day would be great but the climb to Mawenzi Peak would be great but its optional.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut

Day 4: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (BLD)

As we continue to climb, we then pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation starts with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest and prepare for the summit climb.

— Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
— Distance: 9km/5.5mi
— Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
— Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut

Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut (BLD)

Very early in the morning at around 4 am or earlier commences the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim (elev 5700m/18,700ft). As we continue, we now ascend to the Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa also known as the roof of Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn which may also be an amazing place for you to take a picture at the summit to show your family and friends. Then from here, we descend, stopping for lunch and a little bit of rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. From here this climb is done in the dark and it requires flashlights or headlamps. It will be very cold until we start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the climb with many switchbacks. Going slowly “twende pole pole” and an optimistic boldness will get you there!

–Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
— Down to 3700m/12,200ft
–Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
–Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
–Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut Camp

Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to the trailhead, drive to Moshi or Arusha (B)

After an early breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue the descend through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet, muddy sometimes slippery. Gaiters and climbing poles will help greatly. A vehicle will meet us at Marangu village to drive us back to your Moshi town or Arusha. It is time for a huge celebration for reaching the roof of Africa!

— Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
— Distance: 20km/12.5mi
— Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
— Habitat: Forest

Meals included: Breakfast

MARANGU ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE INCLUDES:

All accommodations per itinerary
All meals per itinerary (B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner)
All tours and entrance fees per itinerary (unless listed as excluded)
All transportation and transfers per itinerary
National Park gate fees
Transport from Moshi to trailhead and return to Moshi
Camping fees
Certified, experienced, English-speaking guides for all routes
Salaries for all crew members
Rescue fees (as required by the national park)
Tents, foam sleeping pads, cooking equipment, and eating utensils
Oximeters
Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)

MARANGU ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE EXCLUDES:

International and domestic flights
Meals not listed
Beverages and alcohol
Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
Optional tours
Single room supplement
Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
Tips for guides, porters, and cooks (budget $550-800/person)
Sleeping bags and personal gear
$50 for a single tent
Low season discount in April/May

LUXURY MARANGU ROUTE KILIMANJARO CLIMB PRICE INCLUDES:

Special Kilimanjaro guide with Wilderness First Responder certification
Personal porter for carrying a day pack
Food resupply (once on a climb)
Solar panel for charging USB devices (charges battery, which charges devices)
Solar lights
Hyperbaric pressure bag
Portable toilet (1 per 5 people)
Camp shower (1 per 5 people)
Large comfortable dining tent
Dining chairs with backs and arms
Hot lunches on the mountain
Solar lighting in the dining tent and personal tent
Camp pillow
Extra sleeping pad or 1 double-thick pad
Filtered water with Katadyn filter
Kilimanjaro map for the group
Celebration dinner at the hotel after returning from the climb
Walk-in tent (4-person, 4-season) for 2 people
Camp beds
Resupply of fresh food (2-3 times on trek)
Hot water bottle for a sleeping bag
Private emergency stretcher

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