5 Days Marangu : Kilimanjaro Hiking

Tour Overview

Known as the "Coca-Cola" route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.
The minimum days required for this route is five days, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route. So we request you to take at list six days. However, despite its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Marangu is favored only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro.

Other Trails

Machame Route

Lemosho Route

Shira Route

Umbwe Route

Rongai Route

Northern circuit Route

Western Breach Route

ITINERARY

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1860m) to Mandara Hut (2700m)

Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2mi
Approx. time taken: 5 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.

Day 2: Mandara Hut (2700m) To Horombo Hut (3720m)

Distance covered: 15km
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heathen moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut (3720m). Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.

Day 3: Horombo Hut (3720m) To Kibo Hut (4700m)

Distance covered: 15km
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut (4700m). The upper route (located to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route (located to the left of the fork) is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour shorter).
Kibo Hut is located in the Saddle, which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

Day 4: Summit Attempt

Kibo hut (4700m) Uhuru Peak (5895m) To Horombo Hut (3720m) Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Included
our guide will wake you around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). You continue your ascent to Gillmans point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillmanas is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have a dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3720m) To Marangu Gate (1980m)

Distance covered: 27km
Approx. time taken: 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast Included
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.

Marangu Route FAQ

Is the Marangu route hard?
Overall it's a relatively easy route, having very few steep climbs.

How long is Marangu route Kilimanjaro?
The exact distance on the Marangu Route is 82km or 50 miles. The shortest number of days required for the Marangu Route is 5 days or 6 days for acclimatization, however, when you take into consideration the arrival and departure days, it is 9-10 days.

What is the success rate of Marangu?
The Marangu Route has a low summit success rate of about 50% for the shorter 5-days itinerary that excludes the acclimatization day. The longer itinerary that takes 6 days including the extra day for acclimatization has a success rate of about 80%, which is impressive.

Where is the starting point of Marangu route?
The Marangu route begins at Marangu gate and ascends through forest to the Mandara Huts which are named after the fearsome Chagga chief of Moshi. Hut accommodation is in dormitory style and for those that have an aversion to camping the huts offer the best option to trekking on Kilimanjaro.

What is the best time to journey through the Marangu Route?
Between July and September is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. The weather is the most stable during this period and encountering rain is less likely. Since it is close to the equator, it is possible to climb the mountain at any time during the year. Be cautious, April and May are the wettest months, so this period is best avoided.

What scenery will I see on the Marangu Route?
The Marangu route ascends through the rainforest, moorlands, and alpine areas before ending in the glacial zone. This trek is very beautiful and is the only route that allows you to descend the same way you ascended.

Price Per Person

GROUP SIZE (US-Dollar)
1 Person $ 1650
2-4 People $ 1600
5-7 People $ 1550
8-10 People $ 1500
10 ++People $ 1460

Price Include

Private transport to & from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
2 nights of accommodation in Moshi.
Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
Park entry fees,
Camping fees.
18% VAT on tour fees & services
4 Season mountain tents
Double layered Sleeping Mats
Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees.
Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters.
3 hot meals daily while on the mountain.
Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek.
Hot water for washing.
Government taxes
Emergency first-aid kit.