Marangu Route - 5 Days Trek

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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.

Route Highlights

Trek Duration

5 Days, 4 Nights

Difficulty

Medium

Trafic

High

Start & End

Moshi - Kilimanjaro

Trekking Itinerary

DAY 1: Marangu Gate (6,046ft/1830m) to Mandara hut (8,858ft/2,680m)

Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast at the hotel in Moshi, followed by a 1 hour drive to Marangu gate. The drive passes through the village of Marangu which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Registration and then leave the park gate; walk through the dense rainforest on a winding trail up a ridge until we reach the Mandara hut (2,680m/8,858ft) , porters and cook arrive at the station before clients; prepare boil water for drinking and washing, enjoy some snack before dinner and overnight.

DAY 2: Mandara Hut (8,858ft/2,680m) to Horombo Hut (12,205ft/3,695m)

Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heath

The ascent begins out of the rainforest and into the heathen moorland, passes the Maundi Crater and climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, exotic plants can be spotted, including giant lobelia and groundsel. Arrive after 5-6 hours; Horombo Hut is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters and cook arrive at the station before clients; prepare boil water for drinking and washing. Then a snack before dinner, temperatures’ at night drop below freezing.

DAY 3: Horombo Hut (12,205ft/3,695m) to Kibo Hut (15, 430 ft/4,670m)

Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Wake up early, following with an early morning breakfast, then continue ascent into the alpine desert habitat. 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 the porters carry water for cooking and drinking from the last water point, few meters from Horombo hut. Early dinner then rest before attempting the summit at mid night.

DAY 4: Kibo Hut (15, 430 ft/4,670m) to (Uhuru Peak 19,341 ft/5,895m)

Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak (19,341 ft/5,875m) to Horombo Hut (12,205ft/3,695m)

Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath

Wake up around midnight for tea and biscuits, then begin summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). Then continue ascent to Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude on the crater rim. Continue to the summit, Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! Spend a short time on the summit taking photographs before start descent back to Kibo Hut, which takes about 3 hours.

At Kibo Hut, rest the wake up for a branch and continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m) for dinner, wash, and overnight.

DAY 5: Mawenzi Tarn Hut (14,225 ft/4,310m) – Kibo Hut (15,510ft/4700m)

Distance: 20 km/12 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After a well-deserved breakfast, followed with a big celebration from the mountain crew, full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that tips will be presented to the mountain crew (guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters). After celebration, descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m) via Mandara hut (8,858ft/2,680m) Arrive at the gate, sign out and receive certificates of completion. Those reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and those reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After sign out then drive back to the hotel accommodation in Moshi for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

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