Marangu Route 5 Days
$1755
per personMarangu Route, commonly known as the Coca Cola route is more popular because it can be done in fewer days and has permanent sleep huts at the campsites.
Famously known as the “Coca-Cola Route”, Marangu is the easiest, cheapest and by far one of the busiest routes to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This route offers a shorter acclimatization period than most others and is preferred by those on a budget or who wish to spend less time on the mountain.
Beginning on the south-east side of the mountain, the descent also takes the same route. Climbs can take five or six days; however, we always advise choosing the longer route for the best chance of acclimatization and reaching the summit. This is also the only route to offer accommodation in dormitory-style huts.For climbers who do not wish to camp, then Marangu is the only route that offers dormitory-style hut accommodation. The huts have a communal dining room, simple washrooms and toilets which lower down will be flushable, but as you move higher up the mountain will be “long drop” loos. Although some climbers like the idea of staying in the huts rather than camping you need to remember that on the Marangu route you will be sharing the hut with lots of other climbers in open dormitory accommodation. The hut accommodation also means the Marangu route is one of the best routes to make the attempt on Kilimanjaro during the rainy season.
Quick facts about the Marangu route
Difficulty: Low
Distance: 72 km / 45 miles
Duration: 6 days
Success rate: Low
How many days is the Marangu?
The Marangu route is usually completed in five to six days. We would always recommend the six-day itinerary. We find that the low success rate of the Marangu route is mainly the result of unprofessional tour operators taking people up the mountain on the short five-day itinerary. A five-day climb simply doesn’t give you enough time to acclimatise. Furthermore, climbing Kilimanjaro is not a race. Take your time and soak in the views and experience!
What is the accommodation like?
The Marangu route is the only route to offer hut accommodation. There are 60 bunk beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. You must bring your own sleeping bags, but you’re supplied with mattresses and pillows at the various huts. Check to see if your chosen tour operator has sleeping bags you can use.
The huts themselves have communal dining halls and washrooms. The latter range in quality: you can expect running water and flushing toilets at the lower huts, and buckets of water and long drops at Kibo Hut.
Marangu route can be done in 6 days for extra acclimatisation
Highlights:
Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. It is a shorter route with a steeper incline and less time for acclimatization it tends to have a lower summit success rate. This is the only route where the ascent and descent route is shared, thus creating more traffic.
- Duration: 5 or 6 days
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Good
- Traffic: High
Tour Includes:
- Park fees, camping fees, Hut fees & rescue fees
- Twice a day medical health checkup, monitoring with pulse-oximeter and stethoscope with basic first kit
- Oxygen Cylinder
- Orientation meeting in Moshi and gear check as well.
- 18% Value Added Tax on tour fees & services
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mat, camp chairs, camp tables, mess tent & cutlery for meals) and 3 Season mountain tents
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Medically qualified mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 Meals while on the mountain + evening tea with popcorn or peanuts.
- Hot water for washing up daily and treated water for drink while climbing.
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Panama Garden Resort Moshi. Bed & Breakfast Basis with storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 3-4 porters per climber, which includes porters to carry up to 30 lbs of your personal gear.
- Kilimanjaro certificate for your successful summit attempt.
Tour Exclude:
- Flights ( International)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips for Guides, Porters & Chef
- Personal expenses in nature such as money for souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees etc.
- Visa fees ( 100 USD for American and 50 USD for non-American)
- Immunization documents ( yellow fever recommended for visa processing on arrivals)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and /or park fees
-
DepartureKilimanjaro Int. Airport
From Our Gallery
Kili Footprints welcomes the opportunity to offer you a safe, comfortable and memorable experience in Tanzania.
Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts: 7km /Mi | 4-5 Hrs | Rainforest
MARANGU GATE (1,830M/6,000FT) TO MANDARA HUTS (2,700M/ 8,900FT)
Elevation Gain: 870 metres / 2,900 feet After breakfast, you’ll get picked up from your accommodation in Moshi and driven to the starting point at Marangu (approx 45 minutes). The climb starts at Marangu Gate (1,830m), followed by a 5 to 7 hour walk through dense rainforest and coffee plantations to reach Mandara Hut (2,700m), close by Maundi Crater. You may also be lucky enough to see black and white colobus monkeys on your way up.Day 2: Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts: 11km/3mi | 6-8hrs | Mooreland
MANDARA HUTS (2,700M/8,900FT) TO HOROMBO HUTS (3,720M/12,200FT)
Elevation Gain: 1,020 metres/ 3,300 feet On your second day, you will follow the gently ascending path through the open Alpine Meadow to Horombo Hut. The path takes you through giant heather trees as you make your way up to the moorland. Some portions of the trail are steep but you have a great view of Mawenzi peak. After approximately 5 to 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut.Day 3: Horombo Huts- Kibo Huts: 10km/6mi | 6-8hrs | Semi-Desert
HOROMBO HUTS (3,720M/12,200FT) TO KIBO HUTS (4,700M/ 15,400FT)
Elevation Gain: 980 metres / 3,200 feet 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 peaks. From here you will start to get fantastic views of Mt. Kilimanjaro’s summit before arriving at Kibo Hut after 5 to 6 hours of walking. Rest for the evening and prepare for your final ascent to the summit!Day 4: Kibo Huts – Summit: 4km /2.5 Mi Up | 5-7hrs | – Horombo Huts: 14km /9mi Down | 5-6hrs | Glaciers, Snow Capped Summit
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 This is where the going gets really tough! The climb to the summit starts at around 12:00am. For about 6 hours you will be climbing the steepest and most challenging part of your journey. The path zigzags back and forth along a gravel path to Gilman’s Point, (5,685m) on the crater rim. Less than 2 hours are then taken to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Congratulations, you have now made it to the highest point in Africa! From here you will descend going straight down to Horombo Hut (with a short, well-deserved rest at Kibo Huts where you can collect the rest of your belongings). The descent usually takes a further 6 to 7 hours.Day 5: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi: 18km/11mi |6-7hrs | Rainforest
HOROMBO HUTS (3,720M) TO MARANGU GATE (1,830M/6,000FT)
Elevation Loss: 1,890 metres / 6,200 feet After eating breakfast, you will begin the easiest part of your adventure on Mount Kilimanjaro! The day is spent descending to Marangu Gate via a scenic path through the rainforest. The descent to the gate will take approximately 5 hours and climbers usually arrive before noon. Upon arrival at the gate climbers will be rewarded with certificates attesting their success on climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Transfer back to accommodation in Moshi.Our Gallery
Kili Footprints welcomes the opportunity to offer you a safe, comfortable and memorable experience in Tanzania.
