6 Days Marangu Route

Tour Overview

Marangu Route, popularly called “Coca-Cola Route”, is the most renowned route to trek Kilimanjaro. Marangu is the only route that provides sleeping in huts, all the way to Uhuru Peak, contrary to all other routes where you get to sleep in tents/sleeping bags. The route is very steady, with gradual slopes, but it is far from easy. It has a very low success rate, because trackers tend to not take it seriously, due to its reputation to be “Tourists Route”. You do not need camping gear while trekking Marangu, but by all means you need to be physically prepared for the climb, otherwise there is a good chance for dropping out before reaching the top. The route is offered at 5 or 6 days, but note that on shorter plan you do not have a day for acclimatization, which is usually necessary to accommodate high altitude conditions. Descend is at Marangu gate.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro?

Taking on the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro is no small feat, primarily due to the high altitude, the pace of ascent, and the varying temperatures you’ll encounter. On an average day of the trek, you can expect to hike for six to seven hours. However, if you maintain good health and fitness, reaching the summit is entirely achievable. There are several strategies you can employ to enhance your chances of success and ensure a rewarding experience throughout the journey.

First and foremost, patience is key. Avoid rushing your hike; allowing your body ample time to adapt and acclimatize is crucial for your well-being.
Preparation is essential. Being physically fit will significantly ease the climbing process. Engage in hiking several months prior to your expedition, focusing on multi-day hikes for optimal training.
Additionally, incorporating running and aerobic exercises into your routine will further prepare you for the ascent. Consider adding an extra day to your itinerary. It’s challenging to predict who might experience altitude sickness, but by extending your climb by an additional day, you can mitigate this risk. Spreading the trek over more days allows your body to acclimatize more effectively to the higher elevations. We strongly recommend this approach to maximize your chances of reaching the summit.

BOOK THIS TREK

Included

Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Transportation in a 4×4 safari vehicle
All meals while on the Mountain
Arrival and Departure transfers
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Rescue fees
All national park fees
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Flying Doctors insurance (AMREF) during the safari

Excluded

Itinerary

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts
Day 2: Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts
Day 3: Acclimatization At Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Day 1

Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts

Distance: 7km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and driven to the Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Once signed in at the park and final preparations are complete, we start ascending on a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest. Our first night is at Mandara Hut camp set in a forest clearing. This camp consists of a group of wooden A-framed huts and flush toilets behind the main hut.

Day 2

Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts

Distance: 12km
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Moorland

In the morning we leave camp and trek through a short stretch of forest through to moorland, circumventing the base of the Maundi Crater. In the afternoon we will reach the Horombo Hut where will we stay overnight.

Day 3

Acclimatization At Horombo Hut

A day here provides an opportunity for you to acclimatize gradually to the altitude. There are a few walks you can make in the vicinity of the hut – the most popular of which is to the base of Mawenzi Peak, the dramatic eastern summit of Kili. This walk takes four to five hours (round trip), and will get you to an altitude of 4048m before you return to the hut – this will stand you in good stead later on. Overnight stay at Horombo Hut (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner).

Day 4

Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut

Distance: 10km
Hiking Time: 5 hours
Habitat: Alpine desert

Today we continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone to Kibo Hut. This afternoon we will have an early dinner, prepare your personal gear for the summit and then get some sleep. Our summit trek starts around midnight.

Day 5

Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

Distance: 21km
Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
Habitat: Stone screed and ice-capped summit and Moorland

You will be woken around 23:30pm, and after a hot breakfast we will start our final summit. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to Hans Meyer point (5250m). The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5681m) on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of scree. From Gillman’s Point we could encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. After taking photos at the summit we start the 3 hours descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest we pack up all your personal gear and trek down to Horombo Hut (3 hours). Tonight is our last night on the mountain.

Day 6

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Distance: 18km
Hiking Time: 6 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest

This morning we make our final descent down to Marangu Gate where we started. You will be taken for lunch and here you will receive your summit certificate to commemorate your great achievement. We will then drive you back to your hotel where we will say our farewell.

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+36 30 500 7500

info@kalaitaadventures.com