6-Days Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is also known as the “Coca Cola” or “tourist” route. It is the easiest and shortest route to the summit. This is also the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every camp site with solar lights and comfortable beds.
The huts are communal, and the bunks have a sponge mattress and pillow.
There are 60 beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 beds at Horombo Hut. Bathrooms and running water are available at the two lower huts. Mens’ and ladies’ latrines are available at the last camp but are very basic.
All climbing groups, often from several countries around the world, share meals in dining huts providing a jovial and energetic atmosphere. Soft drinks, bottled water, and beer may be for sale at the huts. Bring small Tanzanian bills to purchase these items (prices increase with elevation).
This route is usually done in 5 days but can be done in 6 days for better acclimatization. The extra day can be spent resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
DAY 1.
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport pick up at transfer at Hotel.
DAY 2.
Marangu gate (1980m) – Mandara hut (2700m), hiking time 5 hours, distance 12 km
From the gate you start hiking through the rainforest with the guides. The first night you spend in Mandara Hut where there are wooden A-style huts. There is also spring water available in Mandara.
Marangu gate (1980m) – Mandara hut (2700m), hiking time 5 hours, distance 12 km
From the gate you start hiking through the rainforest with the guides. The first night you spend in Mandara Hut where there are wooden A-style huts. There is also spring water available in Mandara.
DAY 3.
Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m), hiking time 6 hours, distance 15 km
From Mandara Hut you climb first through short forest area to Maundi crater. There the mountain forest changes to moorland. After 6 hours of hiking you will arrive to Horombo Hut where you will get a chance to wash warm water, rest, eat your dinner and sleep until next morning.
Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m), hiking time 6 hours, distance 15 km
From Mandara Hut you climb first through short forest area to Maundi crater. There the mountain forest changes to moorland. After 6 hours of hiking you will arrive to Horombo Hut where you will get a chance to wash warm water, rest, eat your dinner and sleep until next morning.
DAY 4.
Horombo hut (3720m) – acclimatization day
Horombo Hut is a hut village built on plateau. In Horombo Hut you will spend one extra day and night to get used to the thin mountain air. To help the acclimatization you will do a short day hiking towards Mawenzi Hut. Hiking takes about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours back. It is good to go to sleep early so that you get enough rest for the next day’s hiking.
Horombo hut (3720m) – acclimatization day
Horombo Hut is a hut village built on plateau. In Horombo Hut you will spend one extra day and night to get used to the thin mountain air. To help the acclimatization you will do a short day hiking towards Mawenzi Hut. Hiking takes about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours back. It is good to go to sleep early so that you get enough rest for the next day’s hiking.
DAY 5.
Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m), hiking time 6 hours, distance 15 km
The route goes from Horombo Hut to the “Saddle” desert between peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. The route passes the last water point in 4130 meters. Kibo Hut is a stone hut built to an open alpine desert. The final peak is 1195 meters up from this hut and you will make the final climbing still at the same night. So you should try to rest as much as you can.
Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m), hiking time 6 hours, distance 15 km
The route goes from Horombo Hut to the “Saddle” desert between peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. The route passes the last water point in 4130 meters. Kibo Hut is a stone hut built to an open alpine desert. The final peak is 1195 meters up from this hut and you will make the final climbing still at the same night. So you should try to rest as much as you can.
DAY 6 .
Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3720m) Hiking time 8 hours to Uhuru peak and returning to Horombo hut 6 hours. Distance 6 km up and 21 km down.
You will start your climbing to the peak at midnight. This is the most difficult part of the climbing. The first stage is a rocky path up to Hans Mayer cave (5150m) where you can rest a little bit. From there the path continues as zigzag to the Gillmans point (5681m). This part is very steep and rocky and it requires very good physical and mental condition. After Gillmans point you climb in the snow all the way to the peak. You have now reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest peak in whole Africa! It depends of the weather how much time you can spend on the peak and take photos. After that you start returning to Horombo hut where you spend night. Going down is much faster than going up. Still the time that you walk during this day is about 14 hours so prepare yourself well for this day.
Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3720m) Hiking time 8 hours to Uhuru peak and returning to Horombo hut 6 hours. Distance 6 km up and 21 km down.
You will start your climbing to the peak at midnight. This is the most difficult part of the climbing. The first stage is a rocky path up to Hans Mayer cave (5150m) where you can rest a little bit. From there the path continues as zigzag to the Gillmans point (5681m). This part is very steep and rocky and it requires very good physical and mental condition. After Gillmans point you climb in the snow all the way to the peak. You have now reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest peak in whole Africa! It depends of the weather how much time you can spend on the peak and take photos. After that you start returning to Horombo hut where you spend night. Going down is much faster than going up. Still the time that you walk during this day is about 14 hours so prepare yourself well for this day.
DAY 7.
Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu gate (1980m), hiking time 6 hours, distance 27 km
On the morning you continue going down past Mandara Hut all the way to the gate. If you managed to reach the peak you will also get a certification. Those who reached Gillmans point get green one and those who reached Uhuru Peak get golden one. After that you it´s time to return to your accommodation place, get hot shower and eat well.
Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu gate (1980m), hiking time 6 hours, distance 27 km
On the morning you continue going down past Mandara Hut all the way to the gate. If you managed to reach the peak you will also get a certification. Those who reached Gillmans point get green one and those who reached Uhuru Peak get golden one. After that you it´s time to return to your accommodation place, get hot shower and eat well.
INCLUDED:
All park entry fees, hut fees, rescue fees, transport to/from the gate, food, drinking water, guide and porters, accommodation 2 night.
All park entry fees, hut fees, rescue fees, transport to/from the gate, food, drinking water, guide and porters, accommodation 2 night.
NOT INCLUDED:
Sleeping bag, tips for your guide and porters and other personal things of nature.
Sleeping bag, tips for your guide and porters and other personal things of nature.