TOUR OVERVIEW
FROM EXPERTS
Is the most popular route known as the ‘coca-cola route’, Due to their uniqueness is the oldest and one of the most preferable routes. Many agree that, this is the easiest and shortest route to Kilimanjaro summit point, given its gradual slope. Although is the easiest route because no technical skills are required for this five-day trek. It is not as scenic as other routes. However, some prefer this route because it is the only route on the mountain that has huts provided for hikers.
ITINERARY
ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
- You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.
PRICE AND PACKAGES
People in Group | Standard Package |
1-2 | 1700$ |
3-5 | 1650$ |
6-8 | 1500$ |
9+ | 1450$ |
People in Group | Standard Package |
1-2 | 1750$ |
3-5 | 1650$ |
6-8 | 1550$ |
9+ | 1500$ |
DAY BY DAY ITinerary
5 DAYS MARANGU ROUTE
Day 1: Marangu gate to Mandara hut (2,700 Meters approx trekking time 7 hours)
After breakfast and briefing from your guide you will be collected from your hotel in Moshi or our guide will pick up you from the airport at that day you arrived and you will be driven to the gate from Moshi, which takes approximately an hour and passes through the village of Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work and registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities has been completed your trek can begin. Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest. Within the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and monkeys. At these lower elevations, it can be wet and mudd so trekking poles will help.
- Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: LD
Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut
Day two on the Marangu Route begins with an early start. You will be served breakfast and should be on your way by latest 08:30. The trek continues through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you should definitely take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo. During the trek you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude. At Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) you will be served dinner and shown to your sleeping quarters for the night.
- Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 12km/7.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Heathland
- Meals: BLD
Day 3: 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.Distance: 9km/5.5mi
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
- Distance: 9km/5.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
Day 4: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit and down to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), 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: BLD
Day 5: Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through 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). Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. A vehicle will take you back to Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration! Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania. If you will stay in Moshi town the Accommodation will be at the same hotel.
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: B
6 DAYS MARANGU ROUTE
Day 1: Marangu gate to Mandara hut (2,700 Meters approx trekking time 7 hours)
After breakfast and briefing from your guide you will be collected from your hotel in Moshi or our guide will pick up you from the airport at that day you arrived and you will be driven to the gate from Moshi, which takes approximately an hour and passes through the village of Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work and registration with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities has been completed your trek can begin. Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest. Within the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and monkeys. At these lower elevations, it can be wet and mud so trekking poles will help.
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Distance: Approximately 12 kilometers
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut (3720 Meters approx trekking time 6-8 hours)
Day two on the Marangu Route begins with an early start. You will be served breakfast and should be on your way by latest 08:30. The trek continues through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you should definitely take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo. During the trek you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude. At Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) you will be served dinner and shown to your sleeping quarters for the night.
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3: Acclimatization trek to Zebra rock (4020 Meters) then back to Horombo Hut (3700 Meters) Approx trekking time 4 hours
Today serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and greatly improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, a 4 hour trek follows to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day.
- Hiking time: 4 ½ h
- Distance: Approximately 7 km uphill / 7 km downhill
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast,, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4: Horombo hut to Kibo hut (4700 Meters approx trekking time 5-7 hours)
Today in Marangu Route is long and tough. There are two routes to Kibo. The first, or upper route, forks to the right. You will most likely take the lower left hand route as it is easier and nearly an hour shorter. On the left hand route you will pass the last water point at 4,130 meters. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5-6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short. Make sure that you have all your gear ready for a prompt departure.
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5: Kibo hut (4700 Meters) to Uhuru peak (5895 Meters) then Horombo hut (3720 Meters) Approx trekking time 5-8 hours
Day five begins with summit night. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) the crater rim of Kilimanjaro where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1-2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1-2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
- Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
- Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
- Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
- Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6: Horombo hut to Marangu get (1870 Meters Approx trekking time 6-8 hours)
Wake, as usual, pack, and descend through the moorland to the Mandara Huts. Have lunch there then continue your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to the park gate, which you should reach around 2 or 3 PM. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. A vehicle will take you back to Moshi, where it is definitely time for celebration! Depart for the airport or other destinations in Tanzania. If you will stay in Moshi town the Accommodation will be at the same hotel.
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 27 kilometers
- Meals: Breakfast
- the climb cost includes