7 Days Marangu Route

Overview

Marangu Route is also referred as the Tourist Route or the Coca Cola Route, and is both the least difficult, more convenient and the shortest way to reach Uhuru Peak the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is also the oldest of the routes in terms of when it was started to be used. 70% of all Kilimanjaro climbers choose to take this route, as it mostly consists of easy hiking.
Though this is considered the ‘easiest’ route, it also has a high failure rate (failure to summit) due to poor preparation. If you take the route seriously and prepare effectively, you’ll be fine.
Marangu is not considered as picturesque as other routes, but it has the advantage of boasting hut accommodation along the route which makes it a good choice in the rainy season as they provide convenient shelter.

Day 1: Arrival

Pick up from Arusha airport or Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi town the famous gateway to Mount Kilimanjaro. You will have a half Board accommodation at a Base Hotel in Moshi or Arusha where all trekking briefings will take place and final preparation to embark on the journey to the roof of Africa.

DAY 2

Trekking from Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Group will leave Moshi for Marangu Gate for the necessary official registration and briefings before beginning the trek. The hiking trail starts with ascending to a beautiful, tropical rain forest.
At the upper edge of the rain forest, we will have a chance to see spectacular blue monkeys passing by. Afterwards trail become wide and expose beautiful hillsides till we reach Mandara Hut.

DAY 3

Trekking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heath
Group will leave Mandara Hut and continue through the rain forest until the trail opens into high moorland. We may get our first sight of Kilimanjaro peaks (Kibo and Mawenzi) which are two among three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

DAY 4

Trekking from Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,400 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Heath
Trekking from Mawenzi Ridge to Horombo Hut
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft to 12,205
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath
This is extra day of trekking is meant specifically for acclimatization and group can spent a day hiking around close Mawenzi Ridge. The distinctive landscape offers lots of motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments navigating and exploring the area we head back to Horombo Hut.

DAY 5

Trekking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We will climb step by step with an affordable pace, then cross the startling lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Camp will be set at Kibo Hut which is at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once we arrive here we will rest, enjoy an early dinner and organize for the summit day.

DAY 6

Trekking from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Descend from Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath
Around midnight, we begin to progressively push to Uhuru peak. This is the most mentally and physically demanding part of the trek. There will be extreme wind and cold at this elevation. We will ascend in the darkness luckily with the moonlight over our heads for several hours while taking short, breaks.
At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be satisfied with the most magnificent sunrise coming over from Mawenzi Peak. And finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro, the rood of Africa and the crown of Tanzania.
After spending a few moments at Uhuru peak taking all in from the plains of Africa and your triumph, we will descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we will gather and enjoy our last dinner on the mountain, telling stories of the grater accomplishments and take a well-deserved sleep.

DAY 7

Descend from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Distance: 20 km/12 miles
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
On this last descending day, we have a long trek downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates of success. Afterwards you will be transferred back to a hotel in Moshi.