Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
(1 Review)
- 5 Days or 6 Days
- 1 January-31 Decmber
- 4x4 Luxury Safari
- Camps and Huts
Tour Overview
Also known as the “Coca Cola route” – the Marangu route is one of the most popular routes leading to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many hikers believe that the Marangu route is the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the only route which can be hiked in 5 days (making it the cheapest option). It is also the only route offering accommodation on the mountain, in A-frame huts.
It is unfortunately a well-known fact, that the 5 day Marangu route has one of the lowest summit success rates of all the routes up mountain. If you choose the Marangu route, we strongly recommend hiking the route over 6 days, to increase your chance to reach the summit successfully. This is the only route, which provides comfortable communal sleeping huts, equipped with solar lighting, bunk beds and mattresses at every overnight site. There are also cold showers and flushing toilets at Mandara hut and Horombo hut. The Marangu route utilises the same route for the ascend and descend.
Marangu Route
The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way, due to a shorter acclimatization period.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success. Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.
The main itinerary difference between the Marangu 5 day and 6 day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Horombo Hut.
Itinearary
Our team transports to our hotel in Moshi, which is located approximately one hour from the park. All planned services are included, transport, dinner and hotel.
Today we will brief about the climb and review the gear you have brought to make sure nothing additional is needed and shopping and explore the town. Breakfast, Lunch and dinner included
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 8.1 km
Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you, as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers.
Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have.
You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found.
An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either after 1.5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, consisting of a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut. Dinner is prepared by our cook and served in a communal dining mess.
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 11.6 km
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.
Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours trek from here, you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have a hot bowl of washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.
Hiking time: 4 ½ h
Distance: Approximately 7 km uphill / 7 km downhill
Habitat: Alpine desert
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here.
This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut (4 310m), passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 9.6 km
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) should be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day (on your acclimatisation hike) towards Mawenzi hut. This section is very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!
Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut.
The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips. At Marangu gate you sign your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates.
Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!! Overnight at the Hotel
After breakfast, according to your flight time we will drop you at the airport or assist you in catching the shuttle to Nairobi. End of our services.
The departure dates for all our safaris, tours and treks are totally flexible according to your own personal needs. Please contact us for further and more detailed info, as well as information on photographic travel packages, safaris, tours and treks into Tanzania.
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2023 Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Package
Please note: All of the Matukio Safaris packages are very flexible, and we will gladly schedule a new hike to suit your calendar preference. We could keep your booking private.
Prices Quoted in US Dollars
6 day / 5 night hike + 3 nights’ hotel accommodation
1 Climber |
2 People |
3 People |
---|---|---|
US$ $ 3698 per person |
US$ $ 3322 per person |
US$ $ 3216 per person |
Notes:
- Should a person prefer single room/tent accommodation a supplementary fee would apply – additional cost is available on request
- On the Marangu Route, all persons will share the A frame hut accommodation that provides 8 bunk beds
- Additional days on the mountain could be added to an extra cost of US$ 250 per day
- Rates detailed above are per person sharing – except for the 1 person’s rate
All prices are subject to change without notice should Kilimanjaro National Park fees or government taxes / VAT change. Current park fees / taxes are valid till 30 June 2023 and subject to change from 1 July 2023 onwards.
Price includes:
- Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
- Complimentary meet and greet on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport
- One arrival & one departure transfer between Kilimanjaro Airport and your hotel in a private vehicle with driver
- Breakfast and dinner is included on the first and last night at the hotel
- Accommodation and meals – 3 Nights in Arusha town or Moshi town
- Hotel accommodation includes storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes
- Return transfers between the hotel to the start / finish point of a climb
- All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping / hut fees and climbing permits
- Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
- Chief guide carries two-way handheld radios and mobile phone
- Chief guide carries a Pulse Oximeter, used to take blood-oxygen level readings of clients twice a day
- Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summiting aid)
- Complete First Aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
- Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters and cook
- Salaries paid to the mountain support crew is much higher than the recommended KINAPA (Kilimanjaro National Park Authority) payment
- Breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
- Quality food and of a bigger variety on the mountain
- Lunch is prepared fresh at the lunch stop – except day 1 picnic lunch
- All meals including lunch will be served inside a mountain mess tent (Not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals is served at the camps in designated mess halls)
- Superior quality camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, camp chairs, camp tables, mess tent & cutlery for meals) – not applicable on the Marangu route as all meals are served at the camps in designated dining halls
- Water for washing up daily
- Porter to carry your duffel bag, with maximum weight of 15kg / 32 lbs, from one camp to the next camp
- Private portable toilet for the group
- Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
- Complimentary 3 liters of mineral water (per hiker) for the first day on your climb and 3 liters of purified water per person per day from night 1 onwards
- Our exclusive, printable ClimbingKilimanjaro15 page altitude sickness survival guide
- Complimentary Flying doctors membership (Emergency Helicopter evacuation to Nairobi)
- Porter to carry your daypack during the summit attempt
- Complimentary Climbing Kilimanjaro rain cover for your daypack
- Complimentary Climbing Kilimanjaro cap
Price Excludes:
- Flights and airport taxes
- Items of a personal nature
- Compulsory tips for guides, porters and cook (average tip is anything from US$250 to US$ 350 per hiker – depending on the number of days and number of hikers in the group, as well as the route chosen)
- Entry visa for Tanzania (US$50 per passport holder for most nationalities / US $ 100 per visa for USA passport holders)
- Health requirements (Yellow Fever – only compulsory if you travel to Tanzania via a Yellow Fever infected country, Meningitis & Hepatitis A remains optional, but comes recommended)
- Optional but highly recommended travel and medical insurance.
- Personal hiking/trekking gear – you could rent some of the gear in Tanzania
- Optional tracking service – subject to additional cost, depending availability and booking in advance
- Snacks, personal medicine and water purifying tablets
- Meals and drinks not specified