6 Days – Marangu Route

Route Overview

The Marangu path, also referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route, is a well-known journey up Mount Kilimanjaro. The oldest and most established route is this one. Given its gentle slope, the Marangu route is preferred by many since it is thought to be the easiest path on the mountain. Additionally, it is the only route that provides dormitory-style sleeping huts.

The least number of days needed for this trip is five, although the likelihood of successfully completing it in that time is very slim. When ascending Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route, an additional day of acclimatization is strongly advised.

Nevertheless, despite the Marangu route’s enormous popularity, we avoid guiding climbs there. Because the ascent and descent follow the same path, the route has the least difference in the scenery of all the routes and is also the busiest. Only in the rainy season are the hut lodgings popular in Marangu.

Day by Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tanzania

Your guide will pick you up from the Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your hotel in Moshi. Your guide will give you a briefing on your forthcoming trip and conduct an equipment check to ensure you have all the appropriate mountain gear. On this day, the equipment that is lacking can be rented.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 2: Marangu Gate (1860m) to Mandara Hut (2700m)

You will be picked up from your Moshi lodging after breakfast and driven to the Marangu gate. You can start your walk as soon as the relevant paperwork is finished, and you will soon be traveling into the thick rainforest. As you make your way to the Mandara Hut, you will have the opportunity to see several primates in addition to the spectacular foliage. Your guide might drive you to the Maundi Crater where you can take in the breathtaking vista of Kenya’s interior after a well-earned break.

Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 3: Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Breakfast is had early in the day. You will quickly cross the timberline and enter the heath and moor region after leaving Mandara Hut. The Horombo Hut, which is located at a height of 3700 meters, will become visible approximately 4 to 6 hours later. Fantastic views of Mawenzi, Kibo, and the expansive Masai steppe may be seen from the hut.

Distance covered: 12.5km / 7.8mi
Approx. time taken: 9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 4: Acclimatization trek to Zebra Rocks (4020m) then back to Horombo Hut (3700m)

Today is used as a day of acclimatization. This considerably increases your chances of succeeding in reaching the summit and shouldn’t be undervalued. A leisurely breakfast is followed by a four-hour hike to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The name of the rock formation is derived from its striking black and white stripes. You will find a hot meal waiting for you when you get back to Horombo Hut. The following day’s hike will go better if you unwind in the afternoon.

Distance covered: 5km / 3.1mi
Approx. time taken: 4 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3700m) to Kibo Hut (4700m)

The stage today is lengthy and difficult. The “Last Water point” and the alleged “saddle” are both passed by the well-built trail. This plateau, almost devoid of vegetation, connects Mawenzi to Kibo, the main summit. The Kibo Hut is where we’re going today, and it generally takes 5 to 6 hours to get there. You will eat dinner early and go to bed early because the night will be brief here.

Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi
Approx. time taken: 7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 6: Kibo Hut (4700m) to UHURU PEAK (5895m) & down to Horombo Hut (3700m)

“The Big Day” – the summit stage – is today. Around midnight, your long and exhausting final ascent will start. The ascent continues upward after passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. You will arrive at Gillman’s Point (5681m), the crater rim of Kilimanjaro, at sunrise, where the light will begin to gradually warm the ground. You will soon forget the night’s chill, and after another hour or two of hiking, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters. Once you get back to Kibo Hut, a hot supper is waiting for you, after which you’ll take a one- to two-hour break before returning to Horombo Hut.

Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi
Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 7: Horombo Hut (3700m) to Marangu Gate (1860m)

The final step leads to the Mandara Hut (2700m), where a hearty meal is waiting for you after passing through the heath and moor zone. Your return to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m) will take place after a total of 6 hours of hiking through the tropical rainforest. A brief transfer takes you back to your hotel in Moshi after you say farewell to your mountain guides. Once there, you can enjoy a warm shower and toast your accomplishment of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Approx. time taken: 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Day 8: Departure

After the hike, you have the rest of the day to relax before your trip home. You might visit Moshi town and buy some souvenirs before going to the airport, depending on your travel schedules.

If you want to continue experiencing Tanzania, add-ons like safaris and trips to Zanzibar are also available.

Meals: Breakfast Included