6-Day adventure

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

Tanzania

Hiking Kilimanjaro Summits

Trip highlights

TOUR FEATURES

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Overview

At Hiking Kilimanjaro. With over 15 years of experience, we have helped over 12,000 climbers successfully summit Kilimanjaro. Our commitment to top-quality equipment and expert guides has earned us a 95% success rate on all routes we operate. If you’re seeking a specialist operator with an exceptional safety record, you’re in the right place.

The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route due to the availability of Coca-Cola at each hut, is the original route used to climb Kilimanjaro. Although often regarded as one of the easier walking routes, it has the lowest success rate (42%), according to KINAPA. This is primarily because many climbers attempt it in only five days, leading to poor acclimatization and a higher rate of failure. The route approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast and uses the same path for both ascent and descent, making it less scenic compared to other routes.

For those who prefer not to camp, Marangu is the only route offering dormitory-style hut accommodation. The huts provide communal dining rooms and basic washrooms. Lower down the mountain, the toilets are flushable, but at higher altitudes, they become simple “long drop” toilets. While some climbers appreciate the comfort of huts over tents, it’s important to note that the dormitory-style huts are shared with many other trekkers. Despite this, the hut accommodation makes Marangu a popular choice for those attempting the climb during the rainy season.

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will meet our HK (HIKING KILIMANJARO) representative and then proceed to transfer to the hotel. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms, hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. Later or tomorrow morning, you will have a short briefing with your expert tour leader about your expedition. We will also review your equipment needed for your adventure to ensure that everything is set for your journey to Kilimanjaro.

Day 1

Arrival

Day 2

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

After breakfast we will collect you from your hotel for your transfer to Marangu Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent on a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest. The forest, covered with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. We will spend our first night at Mandara Hut, a group of wooden A-framed huts set in a forest clearing.

Day 1

Day 3

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirting the base of the Maundi Crater emerging into the transition zone from rain forest to moorland. After about 6 hours we arrive at Horombo Hut.

Day 1

Day 4

Acclimatisation at Horombo Hut

This extra day and night at Horombo is ideal for good acclimatisation. A hike towards Mawenzi, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down) is strongly recommended as it will further assist with acclimatisation.

Day 1

Day 5

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

We continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone passing the last place where water is available at 4130m. From Kibo Hut, the summit is now a further 1195m of ascent. We will make our summit ascent tonight so we will go to go to bed early to get as much rest as possible.

Day 1

Day 6

Kibo Hut to summit to Horombo Hut

We will wake up around 23:30 hours, and after some tea and biscuits we shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer point (5250m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gilman’s Point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort.
From Gilman’s Point we will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long we will be able to spend taking photographs before the 3 hours descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest we gather all the gear we left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo Hut, a further 3 hours. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

Day 1

Day 7

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Your final day on the trek, departing after breakfast we descend a further 1740m to Marangu Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).

A HIKING KILIMANJARO vehicle will be waiting for you at Mweka Gate to drive you back to your hotel, which will take at least 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Day 1

Day 8

Departure

After a much needed night’s rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.

Day 1

Hiking-kilimanjaro-gallery

PRICE START

from $2,100

STARTING FROM $2,100 PER PERSON IN A GROUP TREK

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