Kilimanjaro

Marangu Route

Marangu route also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest route with a gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts. There are piped water, flush toilets, dining areas and solar power.

Marangu Route Over View

DAY 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Camp

Marangu Gate

Elevation: 1,843m / 6,046 ft to 2,700m / 8,858 ft

Distance: 8 km/5 miles

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast we will drive for about 40 km or 25 miles to Marangu gate. Atthe gate we will register ourselves to provide information about name, age, passport number and nationality before beginning the trek. The hiking trail begins by ascending a beautiful, tropical rain forest. At the upper edge of the forest line, we have the opportunity to see blue monkeys. The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.

DAY 2: Mandara Camp to Horombo Camp

Elevation 2,700 m / 8,858 ft to 3,720m / 12,205ft

Distance: 12 km/7 miles

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Heath

We start the day continuing through the forest until the trail opens into high moorland. We may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks – two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

DAY 3: Horombo Camp to Mawenzi Ridge back to Horombo

Horombo Camp to Mawenzi Ridge
Elevation 3,720m / 12,205ft to 4,389m 14,400ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Heath
Mawenzi Ridge to Horombo camp
Elevation: 4,389m / 14,400ft to 3,720m / 12,205ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath

This is an extra day meant for acclimatization and it will be spent for hiking to Mawenzi Ridge and then back to Horombo. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments exploring the area we head back to Horombo Hut.

Horombo Camp Site

DAY 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

The Saddle

Kibo Hut

Elevation 3,720 m /12,205 ft to 4,703 m / 15,430 ft

Distance: 10 km/6 miles

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp, Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

DAY 5: Kibo Hut to Summit (Uhuru Peak) then down to Horombo Hut

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Elevation 4,703m / 15,430ft to 5,895m / 19,341ft
Distance: 6 km / 4 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Horombo camp
Elevation 5,895m / 19,341 ft to 3,720m / 12,250 ft
Distance: 16 km / 10 miles
Hiking Time: 8-10 hours
Habitat: Heath

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,652ft / 5,685m), we will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise we are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. We will hike for additional two hours and finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

After spending a few moments of celebrations taking photographs we descend to Horombo Camp site.

DAY 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Elevation: 3,720m / 12,205ft to 1,843m / 6,046ft

Distance: 20 km/12 miles

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we will have a short celebration with our guides and porters. This is the time we may consider to pay tips if we are well satisfied with the service of guides and porters and then start a long trek mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our certificates for reaching at either The Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak. A vehicle will meet us at the gate and drive back to the hotel in Moshi.