About This Tour
The Marangu Route is also known as the "Coca-Cola" or "tourist" route. It is the easiest and shortest route to the summit. This is also the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every campsite with solar lights and comfortable beds. The huts are communal, and the bunks have a sponge mattress and pillow.
There are 60 beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 beds at Horombo Hut. Bathrooms and running water are available at the two lower huts. Men's and ladies' latrines are available at the last camp but are very basic.
All climbing groups, often from several countries around the world, share meals in dining huts providing a jovial and energetic atmosphere. Soft drinks, bottled water, and beer may be for sale at the huts. Bring small Tanzanian bills to purchase these items (prices increase with elevation).
This route is usually done in 5 days but can be done in 6 days for better acclimatization. The extra day can be spent resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
Highlights
- Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate, Hike to Mandara Hut
- Day 2: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- Days 3: Rest Day at Horombo Hut
- Day 4: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
- Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut
- Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Arusha city
What’s Included
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- One-way transfer for the Kilimanjaro Airport
- Certified & experienced guides for all routes
- Rescue fees (as required by national park)
- Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)
- International and domestic flights
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
Tour Plan
Expand allCollapse allDrive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate, Hike to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45-60 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
-- Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
-- Distance: 8km/5mi
-- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
-- Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Mandara Hut
Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.
-- Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
-- Distance: 12km/7.5mi
-- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
-- Habitat: Heathland
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut
Rest Day at Horombo Hut
Rest day at Horombo Hut with an optional hike by Mawenzi Peak.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut
Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into "moonscape". Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
-- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
-- Distance: 9km/5.5mi
-- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
-- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Kibo Hut
Hike Kibo Hut to Summit, and down to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn.
Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly "pole pole" and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
-- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
-- Down to 3700m/12,200ft
-- Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
-- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
-- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Budget Accommodations: Horombo Hut
Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Arusha city
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through a lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy.
Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
-- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
-- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
-- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
-- Habitat: Forest
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Mid-Range Accommodations: hotel in Arusha
What’s Included
- All accommodations per itinerary
- All meals per itinerary
- All tours and entrance fees per itinerary
- All transportation and transfers per itinerary
- One-way transfer for the Kilimanjaro Airport
- Certified & experienced guides for all routes
- Rescue fees (as required by national park)
- Emergency Oxygen (2L canister)
- International and domestic flights
- Beverages and alcohol
- Tips for guides, drivers, hotel staff
- Personal expenses (visas, airport taxes, Internet, etc.)
- Tips for guides, porters, and cooks
