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Marangu Route - 5 Days, 4 Nights Trek

Route Overview

Marangu Route, commonly known as the Coca Cola route is more popular because it can be done in fewer days and has permanent sleep huts at the campsites.
Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. It is a shorter route with a steeper incline and less time for acclimatization it tends to have a lower summit success rate. This is the only route where the ascent and descent route is shared, thus creating more traffic.

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Trekking Itinerary

Day 1

MARANGU GATE – MANDARA HUTS: 7k /mi | 4-5 hrs. | Rainforest

Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2740m/9000ft

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife.
At these lower elevations the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

Day 2

MANDARA HUTS – HOROMBO HUTS: 11km/3mi | 6-8hrs | Mooreland

Elevation: 2740m/9000ft to 3690m/12,100ft

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, through heath land, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels. Continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, to enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts late afternoon beneath the spectacular Kibo Summit viewpoint. Temperatures begin to drop.

Day 3

HOROMBO HUTS- KIBO HUTS: 10km/6mi | 6-8hrs | Semi Desert

Elevation: 3690m/12,100ft to 4695m/15,400ft

After breakfast, we continue on through the dwindling heath land that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Here while we stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.

Day 4

KIBO HUTS – SUMMIT: 4km /2.5 mi up | 5-7hrs | – HOROMBO HUTS: 14km /9mi down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit

Elevation: 4695m/15,400ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Descent to 3690m/12,100ft

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
We continue our way to the summit in a switchback formation through trying to stay warm and focused of the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion we ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow towards Gillman’s Point on the crater rim.

You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Horombo huts, stopping at Kibo for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain.
Overnight HoromboHuts.

Day 5

HOROMBO HUTS – MARANGU GATE – MOSHI: 18km/11mi |6-7hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3690m/12,100 to 1830m/6000ft

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. You return back to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates.

As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Enjoy a long over due hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!

Package Price Covers:

  • Airport Transfers (we pick up you on arrival day, and we take you back after the climb)
  • Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel
  • Quality Sleeping tents shared by 2 clients
  • Mess tents, Crew tents, Table, Chairs, eating utensils, cooking equipment.
  • Clean, purified drinking water
  • All meals while on the Mountain
  • Kilimanjaro entrance fees/conservation fees
  • Kilimanjaro Camping fees
  • Rescue Fees and all taxes.
  • Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
  • Oxygen Tanks, Pulse Oximeter, and First Aid Kit
  • Sleeping Mats

Price do not Cover:

  • International and local airfare
  • Local transportation before and after the climb.
  • Yellow fever vaccinations
  • Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
  • Personal expenses example: Laundry, beverages, etc.
  • Tips for the support team
  • Private Toilet and hot shower tent
  • Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
  • Optional tours not mentioned in this itinerary

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