The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Klimanjaro using the Marangu route.
It is the oldest, most well established route. Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro.
5 Days Marangu Route Itinerary
Arrival
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut
On Day 1 of your Kilimanjaro trek you hike through dense rainforest, though at points there are openings in the vegetation that offer views of the farmlands which cover the base of the mountain outside of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The day’s trail ends at Mandara Hut, where you overnight.
- Elevation: 6100ft to 8875ft
- Distance: 8.3 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Accommodation: Mandara Hut
- Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut
On Day 2 you trek through more beautiful rainforest, but soon the forest gives way to moorland. The snowcapped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen. After trekking for six to eight hours you reach Horombo Hut, where you stay for the night.
- Elevation: 8875ft to 12,200ft
- Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Healthland
Horombo Hut To Mawenzi Ridge To Horombo Hut
Your third day on the mountain can be split into two parts: a climb to Mawenzi Ridge, followed by a return to Horombo Hut. The reason for this is that it’s in keeping with the ‘climb high, sleep low’ strategy which helps your body to acclimatize properly to the increased elevation. This part of the day’s trek sees you climb from Horombo Hut up into the heath zone of Kilimanjaro. The turning point of the climb comes when you reach the horseshoe-shaped Mawenzi ridge.
When you reach Mawenzi ridge you spend some time there taking in the breathtaking views before heading back down to Horombo Hut for another night. As already mentioned, climbing high and then sleeping low is an important acclimatisation strategy.
- Elevation: 12,200ft
- Distance: 4 km
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Healthland
Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut
Today you traverse the so-called Saddle, a five-mile stretch of rubble and emptiness that connects the craters of Mawenzi and Kibo. You spend the night at Kibo Hut.
- Elevation: 12,200ft- 15,500ft
- Distance: 9 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Accommodation: Kibo Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Kibo Hut To Uhuru Peak To Horombo Hut
For the first part, you strike out for the summit! Having hopefully successfully reached it, you start your descent down the mountain, stopping at the now familiar Horombo Hut for the night. Your guide wakes you up around midnight to get ready for the ascent. Today is usually the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire Kilimanjaro climb. The route ascends northwest into the dark night. Within about six hours you reach Stella Point and enjoy the sunrise. After that, you trek for about another hour on a snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) at the very top of Africa!
After reaching the summit, you descend to Horombo Hut for the night. Having hiked for about 12 to 15 hours, you’ll fall asleep immediately, trust us!
- Elevation: 15,500ft - 19,340ft
- Distance: 9 km up 15km Down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Horombo Hut To Marangu Route
Today you do the last bit of hiking down to the foot of the mountain, where your driver is waiting for you. Time for a beer and a great celebration dinner!
- Elevation: 12,200ft- 5500ft
- Distance: 20 km
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
- Habitat: Rain Desert
Departure
After a much-needed night’s rest we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you from the hotel for your onward journey.