5 Days Marangu route
The 5-day Marangu Route is one of the most popular routes for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. This route is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola Route” due to its relative comfort and established infrastructure compared to other routes. It is the only route that offers hut accommodation (rather than camping), which makes it a more comfortable option for trekkers. However, it is also known for having a relatively lower success rate for summit attempts compared to some other routes, primarily because of its rapid ascent, which increases the likelihood of altitude sickness.
Highlights
- Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (2,700m)
- Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3,720m)
- Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4,700m)
- Day 4: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descend to Horombo Hut
- Day 5: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Day to Day
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (2,700m)
- Distance: 8 km
- Elevation Gain: 800m
- Trek Time: 3-4 hours
- Begin your adventure with registration at the Marangu Gate. The trek starts through the rainforest, where you may see monkeys and various types of flora. The trail to Mandara Hut is gentle and relatively short, providing a good opportunity to acclimatize and get used to the altitude. Mandara Hut has basic amenities, including sleeping quarters, a dining area, and a latrine.
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3,720m)
- Distance: 12 km
- Elevation Gain: 1,020m
- Trek Time: 5-6 hours
- On this day, the trail transitions from the rainforest to a heathland zone, with some stunning views as you climb higher. The hike is longer and more challenging, but it remains manageable. After arriving at Horombo Hut, you’ll be able to rest and take in the scenery. Horombo is the largest hut on the route and has more facilities, such as a mess area and electricity (solar-powered). This is a good time for acclimatization.
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4,700m)
- Distance: 10 km
- Elevation Gain: 980m
- Trek Time: 5-6 hours
- The trek to Kibo Hut takes you through alpine desert terrain. The landscape becomes more barren, and the altitude starts to have more of an impact. The hike is physically demanding due to the increasing altitude, but it is crucial to avoid overexertion. Kibo Hut is where you’ll rest before your summit attempt, and it’s often a place of last-minute preparations.
Day 4: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descend to Horombo Hut
- Distance: 6 km to the summit, then 14 km down
- Elevation Gain: 1,195m (to the summit)
- Trek Time: 6-8 hours to the summit, 5-6 hours down to Horombo Hut
Summit Day!
- Start Time: You will begin the ascent around midnight or early morning (around 11 PM or 12 AM), aiming to reach the summit in the early
- The climb from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak is strenuous, taking 6 to 8 You’ll pass Gilmans Point (5,681m) before finally reaching the summit. The final stretch to Uhuru Peak is often covered in snow, and reaching the summit can feel like an emotional and exhausting experience.
- After taking photos and savoring the moment, you’ll begin your descent back down to Horombo Hut, which will take about 5 to 6 hours. The descent is long and tiring but gives your body a chance to recover from the high-altitude stress.
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
- Distance: 20 km
- Elevation Loss: 2,200m
- Trek Time: 5-6 hours
- On the final day, you will descend back down to the Marangu Gate. The descent is long but not as difficult as the ascent, though it can still be tiring on your knees and Once at the gate, you’ll sign out and receive your completion certificate.
Includes
- All Park fees and Rescue fees.
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- All activities(Unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodation(Unless listed as upgrade)
- * Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All transportation(Unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Drinks(As specified in the day-by-day section)
Excludes
- International flights(From/to home)
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips(Tipping guideline US$10.00 pp per day)
- Personal items(Souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
There's So Much to Discover
