Overview

Marangu Route can take anybody from any corner of the planet to the “Roof of Africa”. Famously known as the “Coca-Cola Route”, The Kilimanjaro Marangu Route is the shortest, least expensive, and one of the busiest routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Kilimanjaro Marangu Route is the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodation.

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route can take five or six days; however, we always advise choosing the longer route for the best chance of acclimatization and reaching the Mount Kilimanjaro summit. Because this route requires less of a time commitment (and financial commitment), and because of the relative comfort of the mountain huts, this route is chosen often by less committed trekkers. For this reason along with the short time for your body to acclimate to the altitude, this route does not have as high of a success rate as other routes.

Marangu Route is offered both as private treks and the 6 Days Itinerary is offered also as an open group trek where anyone can join.

Highlights

Marangu Route is famously known as the “Coca-Cola Route” and is the shortest and least expensive route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The only route that provides sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodation.
Duration: 5 or 6 days; the longer option is advised for better acclimatization and higher success rates.
Popular among less committed trekkers due to its shorter time commitment, lower cost, and comfort of huts.
Lower success rate compared to other routes due to limited acclimatization time.
Available as private treks or open group treks with a 6-day itinerary.

Day 01 :

Moshi Arrival

Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) our driver will be waiting just outside the Customs Control area with a Nyange Adventure sign with your name on it. After he loads your bags into our van, he will drive you to your hotel in Moshi. Once you are settled in, your guide will go through a pre-climb briefing where all your questions will be answered and important information will be given. There will be an equipment check to ensure that you have everything needed to make your climb comfortable and safe. If you need any equipment, any/all items can be rented locally of good quality at a fair price. Note that if your arrival is at night, the briefing and equipment check may be done early the next morning instead.

Dinner

Lodges

Day 02 :

Marangu Gate (1,830m/6,000ft) to Mandara Huts (2,700m/ 8,900ft)

Elevation Gain: 870 metres / 2,900 feet Hiking Time: 4 to 5 hours Habitat: Rainforest After breakfast, you’ll get picked up from your hostel/hotel in Moshi and driven to the starting point at Marangu Gate (approximately 45 mins). After registration, you will begin your journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro using a well-maintained trail through Montane Forest. On the way, you’ll walk through dense rainforest and coffee plantations as your guide talks you through some of the local flora and fauna. Here you will also get a very good chance of witnessing Black and White Colobus monkeys, as well as many different species of brightly-coloured birds. Mandara Hut is a group of dormitory-style wooden huts with solar generated lighting. The camp accommodates up to 60 hikers, and has all necessary facilities, including water and toilets.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 03 :

Mandara Huts (2,700m/8,900ft) to Horombo Huts (3,720m/12,200ft)

Elevation Gain: 1,020 metres/ 3,300 feet Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours Habitat: Moorland On your second day, you’ll embark on a hike which traverses a slightly steeper trail to Horombo Hut. The trail passes through more of Montane Forest before transitioning into the moorland vegetation zone, where you’ll find rolling alpine meadows dotted with giant heather trees. Once in the open moorland, you’ll also get the opportunity to see plants like the giant lobelia and giant groundsel, which can grow to an outstanding 16ft in height! After approximately six hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut, where you’ll have hot water to wash, an evening meal and an overnight rest. Horombo is a village of huts perched on a small plateau with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 04 :

Horombo Huts (3,720m) - Acclimatization Day

An extra day at Horombo Hut provides an opportunity to acclimatize and increase your chances of making it to the summit. There are a number of walks within the vicinity of the huts which are strongly recommended to further help with the process of acclimatizing to the altitude. The most popular hike is to the Mawenzi Saddle, passing the Zebra Rocks along the way. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly (pole, pole). After the four to five-hour hike (round-trip), you’ll then enjoy an evening meal before retreating to bed early for a good night’s rest.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 05 :

Horombo Huts (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Huts (4,700m/ 15,400ft)

Elevation Gain: 980 metres / 3,200 feet Hiking Time: 6 to 8 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Wake up early to catch the sunrise and get some great photos! After a full breakfast, you will then continue to trek at a slow pace through the heathland, which quickly turns into an almost lunar-like landscape as you enter the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. During this hike, you may start to experience some symptoms of altitude sickness. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed. From here you will start to get fantastic views of Mount Kilimanjaro’s summit before arriving at Kibo Hut – a dry-stone-walled hut with dormitories and limited facilities. Rest for the evening at Kibo Huts and prepare for your final ascent to the Mount Kilimanjaro summit!

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 06 :

SUMMIT DAY! - Kibo Huts (4,700m/ 15,400ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/ 19,340ft) to Horombo Huts (3,720m/12,200ft)

Elevation Gain: 1,195 metres / 3,940 feet Elevation Loss: 2,175 metres / 7,140 feet Hiking time: 6 to 7 hours to Uhuru Peak; 7 to 8 hours to Horombo Huts Habitat: Arctic conditions This is where the going gets really tough! Just before midnight, you will venture into the night and begin your final ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro “Uhuru Peak”. Head northwest through the heavy stone scree following multiple switchbacks between Ratzel and Rebmann glaciers until you reach Stella Point (5,685m).This section is probably the most challenging part of the route to Uhuru Peak, and will require great physical and mental effort. Continue to move slowly, always listening to your guide. After a short rest at Stella Point, you will hike along the crater rim for another hour before reaching your ultimate goal – Uhuru Peak! Congratulations! You have now made it to the “Roof of Africa” the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend there, but it is important to start your descent within good time because there is plenty of trekking left on this day. Lunch will be ready for you at Kibo Hut then the descent continues down to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight rest.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 07 :

Horombo Huts (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,830m/6,000ft)

Elevation Loss: 1,890 metres / 6,200 feet Hiking Time: 5 to 7 hours Habitat: Rainforest After eating breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro via a scenic path through the forest to Marangu Gate. Once back in Moshi you will be rewarded any certificates earned for reaching Stella Peak or Uhuru Oeak, say goodbye to your mountain crew, and have the opportunity to tip them.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 08 :

Departure Day

Our driver will be available at any time to take you to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home (or to Zanzibar?). Breakfast is included in your Kilimanjaro Trek Package. Hotel Checkout is at 10am but if you have a later flight we might be able to negotiate a late checkout or book a dayroom for you (additional charge for a dayroom).

Breakfast