Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
Distance covered: 69km
Number of days: 6
Marangu route is the oldest route and often considered the easiest. It is nicknamed the “Coca Cola”route, as it is popular and attracts a larger number of climbers than other routes. It approaches Kili from the southeast and passes through beautiful rainforest and moorlands. The ascent on this route is constant and moderate, and the trekking is relatively relaxed compared to sections of other routes. This is a good bet for those concerned about their fitness. Marangu has good paths and gradual tracks. However, the constant ascension makes for a poorer acclimatisation profile.
In contrast to the other routes, you overnight in mountain huts protecting you from the elements, as opposed to sleeping in tents. Following the Marangu route, you ascend and descend on the same route and you will meet other groups travelling in the opposite direction.
Pricing for the Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 6 days (per person)
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1 Person - USD 1730
2 Persons - USD 1540
3-4 Persons - USD 1445
5-6 Persons - USD 1405
7 Persons and more - USD 1395
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Day 1 Moshi – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara Hut (2700m)
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Beautiful passage through the forest with trees, ferns, flowers and birds. Look out for the monkeys.
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Start: Marangu Gate (1860m)
Finish: Mandara Hut (2700m)
Altitude: ↑ 840m
Walking time: 3-4h
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After breakfast at the hotel, you will be collected and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After some paperwork at the gate, the porters will load the gear and your trek can begin. Soon you will find yourself in the misty forest – trees, ferns, flowers and birds abound. You might also see blue monkeys or the white-tailed black and white colobus monkeys. You will reach Mandara Hut after about four hours. After resting a while, you can walk to the Maundi Crater from where you will have views towards Kenya. Supper in the dining hall of Mandara Hut.
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Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
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Day 2 Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
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Long day hiking through moorland with Senecio and Lobelia plants. Views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
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Start: Mandara Hut (2700m)
Finish: Horombo Hut (3700m)
Altitude: ↑ 1000m
Walking time: 5-6h
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After an early breakfast you set off and soon you will be out of the forest. Continuing into a section of shrubs and grass – the moorland zone where you will stop for lunch on the way. Continue for a couple of hours to reach the bustling Horombo Huts at 3700m. The huts have great views over the farms and plains below. You might start to experience the altitude: headaches, nausea. Drink a lot of water, eat well and rest.
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Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
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Day 3 Horombo Hut – Zebra Rocks (4020m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
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Acclimatise with a hike to the interesting Zebra rocks; return the afternoon to rest at the camp.
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Start: Horombo Hut (3700m)
Finish: Horombo Hut (3700m)
Altitude: ↑400m ↓400m
Walking time: ca 4-5h
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Up and down. Today will help your body to adapt to the altitude. This section will improve your chance of reaching the summit. After breakfast, you will hike to the Zebra Rocks (4020m) named after distinctive black and white stripes of the rock formation. Returning on the same path, you will be back at Horombo in time for lunch. The afternoon is free to explore. Overnight again at Horombo Hut.
Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
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Day 4 Horombo Hut (3700m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
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Landscape changes to barren rock. Passing the Last Water Point and cross over the Saddle to Kibo hut.
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Start: Horombo Hut (3700m)
Finish: Kibo Hut (4700m)
Altitude: ↑ 1000m
Walking time: 5-6h
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Today’s section is long and uphill. The scenery changes into a moon landscape, barren and rocky as you cross the ‘Saddle.’ The piece of mountain was formed when the volcano erupted. The resulted lava flow now links Kilimanjaro’s two peaks – summit Kibo and Mawenzi. If you experience headaches and nausea, these are symptoms of altitude sickness. Help your body cope by drinking water and walking slowly. You should reach Kibo Hut after about five to six hours. Supper will be served early so you can get to bed. Try to rest as you will need to be up and walking again by midnight.
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Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
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Day 5 Kibo Hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3700m)
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Up at witching hour to head up to Gillman’s Point on the crater’s edge. Then on towards the summit on Uhuru Peak. A dusty fast descent via Kibo hut to Horombo Hut.
Start: Kibo Hut (4700m)
Finish: Horombo Hut (3700m)
Altitude: ↑1200m ↓2200m
Walking time: 12-16h
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Today is summit day. You start out at night when the volcanic ash is still frozen and walking is easier. The mountain guide will wake you up and after some tea and snacks you will begin the slow trek to the summit. You will stop briefly at Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m. Continuing ‘pole pole’ you should reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater’s rim by sunrise. As you feel the warm rays of the sun, you will continue for an hour or more up to the peak. Standing here on Uhuru Peak at 5895m you are now on the ‘Roof of Africa’, the highest point on the continent. After a few photos and hugs, you will turn back. The descent is fast and dusty as the lava ash will now have thawed. After a few hours you will stop at Kibo Hut for snack and a rest. From there you will continue down to Horombo Hut (3700m) arriving in the afternoon. Eat well to replace lost energy and have good rest.
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Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner
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Day 6 Horombo Hut (3700m) – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Marangu
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After a farewell ceremony at the hut by the crew you will descend through the cool forest to the park gate. Transfer to Moshi.
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Start: Horombo Hut (3700m)
Finish: Marangu Gate (1860m)
Altitude: ↓1840m
Walking time: 6-7h
The final leg of your Kilimanjaro trek passes along the same path that you ascended on – through the heather, red-hot pokers and shrubs of the moorland vegetation zone. You will stop for a cooked lunch at Mandara Hut (2700m).Soon, you will descend into the humid and green forest where you might spot the extravagant tails of the colobus monkeys. After a total time of six hours hiking, you should reach the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Transfer back to the hotel in Moshi where a hot shower and fresh clothes, cold beers are waiting. Overnight stay and supper at one of Moshi’s hotels.
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Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner