Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is the Kilimanjaro route with hut beds instead of tents. What to expect on the route, and our Marangu climbing packages.
Also on this route: 5 Days Marangu Route
Kilimanjaro climb
6 Days Marangu Route
Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro offers six established routes for climbers: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, and Umbwe. Marangu, Machame and Umbwe start on the south side. Lemosho and Shira come in from the west. Rongai starts in the north, close to Kenya. Every route except Marangu and Rongai comes down through Mweka.
The Marangu Route is often called the Coca Cola route. It is popular because you can do it in fewer days, and you sleep in fixed huts instead of tents.
Summit night starts at Kibo Hut and climbs steeply past Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. Because the route is shorter and steeper, you get less time to acclimatize, and the summit success rate tends to be lower. It is also the only route where you go up and come down the same way, so the trail gets busier.
Route itinerary
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Day 1 Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts Distance 8.3km / 5miHiking 4-5 hrsZone Rainforest
From Moshi it is a 1-hour drive through Marangu village to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. While we wait for the permits, you can watch the crews of other groups packing and getting ready. Then the walk starts, on winding trails through green rainforest. Your guide will point out the plants, birds and animals along the way. Down here the trail can be muddy and slippery, so we strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles.
- Elevation
- 1905m/6250ft to 2723m/8934ft
- Altitude gained
- 818m
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Day 2 Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts Distance 12.5km / 7.8miHiking 6-8hrsZone Mooreland
After a good night’s sleep and a big breakfast, we leave the rain forest behind. The path climbs through heathland, where you can look out for giant lobelias and groundsels. Higher up, it opens into moorland covered mostly in small shrubs. We stop halfway for lunch, with clear views of Mawenzi. You reach the Horombo Huts in the late afternoon, right below the Kibo Summit viewpoint. From here on, it gets colder.
- Elevation
- 2723m/8934ft to 3721m/12,208ft
- Altitude gained
- 998m
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Day 3 Horombo Huts
Today you stay put for a full day and a second night at Horombo. You can rest at the huts, or walk up towards the Mawenzi base camp and come back. This extra day helps you acclimatize, and it gives you a feel for the mountain’s weather and the altitude. On your fourth day you move on to the Kibo Huts, ready for the midnight start to the summit.
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Day 4 Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts Distance 10.5km / 6miHiking 6-8hrsZone Semi-Desert
After breakfast, the heathland thins out and turns into bare, moon-like ground as you reach the wide saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. At lunch, and again as you cross the saddle (it is bigger than it looks), you get a good look at the summit climb up Kibo. You will start it in just a few hours.
- Elevation
- 3721m/12,208ft to 4714m/15,466ft
- Altitude gained
- 993m
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Day 5 Kibo Huts – Summit – Horombo Huts Distance 6.25km / 3.9 mi up; 15.75km / 9mi downHiking 5-7hrs; 5-6hrsZone Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
Elevation: 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft
Altitude gained: 1181m
Descent to 3721m/12,208ft
Altitude lost: 2174mThis is the big day. You wake up and start walking between midnight and 2 a.m. It is the hardest part of the trek, both for your body and your head.
The trail zigzags up the slope. Your job is to stay warm and keep your mind on the top. We climb in switchbacks through deep scree, and maybe snow, to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. If you time it right, you get a beautiful sunrise during the short rest here. Faster walkers may see it from the summit instead. From here it is about 1 hour more to Uhuru Peak, and you will probably walk on snow the whole way.
Well done. One step at a time, you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in all of Africa.
After photos, hugs and maybe a few happy tears, we take a few minutes to enjoy what you have done. Then we start the steep descent back to Kibo Huts for lunch and a very short rest, and carry on down to Horombo Huts. The ground is loose gravel and volcanic ash, so we strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles. In the evening you can finally rest and enjoy your last night on the mountain. Overnight Horombo Huts.
- Elevation
- 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft
- Altitude gained
- 1181m
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Day 6 Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi Distance 20km / 12.5miHiking 6-7hrsZone Rainforest
After breakfast the crew holds a short thank-you ceremony, with songs and goodbyes. We keep walking down and stop at the Mandara Huts for lunch. This is where you leave your guides, cooks and porters, so remember to tip them here. Back at the Marangu Park Gate you receive your summit certificates. It is much warmer down here, and the trail is wet, muddy and steep, so gaiters and trekking poles really help. A vehicle meets you at the gate and drives you to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Then it is time for a hot shower, a good dinner and a proper celebration.
- Elevation
- 3721m/12,208 to 1905m/6250ft
- Altitude lost
- 1816m
Tour price includes
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
- Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
- Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
- Airport Transfers
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water and Full Board Meals
- All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
- Quality Imported Equipments
Tour price excludes
- Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
- beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
- Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
- Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain $150 per room
- Flights, Visa fees, Gamow Bag, and Medication
Before you go
Route guide
About the Marangu Route
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