Marangu-Route

Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. 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 and direct path.
Marangu is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.
Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut. Also available for consumption are soft drinks, bottled water, and beer.

The minimum days required for this route is five, 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.
The Marangu route is a classic trek to the top of Kilimanjaro. However, it has the least scenic variety of all routes (ascent and descent are done on the same path) and is the most crowded for that reason.

Full Itinerary

Day 1  Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara Hut (2700m)

Hiking time: 3-4 hours

Distance: Approximately 12 kilometers

Habitat: Montane forest

After an early breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Arusha (1400m) and driven to the Marangu Gate (1980m). At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike while you and your guide register with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA). You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the look out for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! After 3-4 hours of ascending, you will reach the Mandara Hut (2700m). Each hut has 6-8 sleeping bunks (sleeps 60 hikers total) with solar generated lighting. Next to the central hut there are flush toilets. The porters, who arrive at the campsite before the clients, will boil water for drinking and washing. The chef will prepare a snack then dinner for the clients. At nighttime, mountain temperatures may drop to freezing so be prepared!

Day 2  Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Moorland

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) – Acclimatization day

At Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimate to high altitude. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending on your preference for the day.

Day 4  Horombo Hut (3720m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers

Habitat: Alpine desert

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 5 Summit Attempt

Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – 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

Your 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 Gillman’s point (5681m). Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitude. Gillman’s 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 6  Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)

Hiking time: 6 hours

Distance: Approximately 27 kilometers

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate (1980m). The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) receive green certificates and hikers who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. After receiving certificates, you will drive back to Arusha for long overdue showers and more celebrations.

Good tips attempting the Summit Mt Kilimanjaro

• Choose the right routefor your Kilimanjaro climb One of the biggest problems on Kilimanjaro is people trying to go up the mountain way too quickly.
• Mentally prepare, depending on your level of comfort with the outdoors, you may need to prepare yourself for life on the mountain.

Make sure you have the right clothing and boots for Ascending and descending.

Hydration is very important while climbing Kilimanjaro at higher levels of altitude, your body will dehydrate much quicker than it will at sea level, and you will have to make sure you are drinking plenty of water.

Don’t be afraid of little Headache, one of the greatest causes of headaches on the mountain is due to dehydration, so drinking water can greatly help to eliminate or lessen your headaches.

Slow and steady wins the race. When taking on a challenge like Kilimanjaro, or any long trek/climb, you have to remember that it is a marathon, not a sprint. Acclimatization to the low levels of oxygen in the mountains requires you to take your time, to slowly get your body used to lack of oxygen.

Bring some summit treats, there is always plenty of food to choose from on the mountain, but when your tummy is having a hard time with the altitude, those familiar snacks may be all you can get down.

New or extra batteries, replace your head lamp and camera batteries with new ones on your summit night.

Mountain water, the stream water high on the mountain Kilimanjaro has been tested and has been found to be fit for drinking. However, we recommend that you be on the safe-side and use water purification tablets before drinking.

Wet wipes, there is no washing water at Barafu, Kibo and Arrow Glacier camps. Wet Wipes are very useful

Stay out of the sun whenever possible, the second way of protecting yourself is to always wear your goofy looking, yet extremely important, sun hat.

Ladies…No make-up here is necessary!

Remember you are on holidays, enjoy yourself! The most important thing to remember is that you are on vacation, relax, have an open mind, and enjoy yourself!