Marangu Route, commonly known as the Coca-Cola route is predominantly popular because it can be climbed in a few days with permanent mountain huts at the campsites where you will stay overnight.
From Kibo Hut to the summit, especially during the night, is steep and passes Gilmans to Uhuru Peak. This is basically a shorter route with a steeper incline and not enough time for acclimatization. This route has a lower summit rate and it is the only route on the mountain where the ascent and descent route is the same, which resulted in more traffic.
Tour Details
Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts: 8.3km | 4-5 Hrs |
Vegetation: Rainforest
Elevation: 1905m to 2723m
Altitude gained: 818m
The tour will depart from Arusha passing through Machame Village to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. While our permits will be issued we will enjoy watching the in and out activities of operations as many crews prepare for the climbing ahead. While you here you will enjoy the beautiful surroundings that include rainforest and windy trails while your guide explains to you about the local plants and small wildlife that roam around the place. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended.
Day 2: Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts: 12.5km| 6-8 Hrs
Vegetation: Mooreland
Elevation: 2723m to 3721m
Altitude gained: 998m
After a wonderful night and a nice breakfast, the climbers emerge from the rainforest and continue the path up, through the heathland, looking for a perfect spot for giant lobelias and groundsels. Proceed up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the dominant vegetation. The trekking will have a short stop halfway for lunch, to enjoy the spectacular views of Mawenzi. We will arrive at the Horombo Huts late afternoon underneath the mesmerizing Kibo Summit viewpoint. At this time temperatures always begin to drop here.
Day 3: Horombo Huts
You are likely to spend a full day and possibly a second night at Horombo. You can either rest at the huts or take a quick climb up to the Mawenzi base camp and then return to the Horombo Huts. The extra day here will help you to acclimatize, and extend your understanding of the mountain’s weather and altitude. After your short break, you will proceed up to the Kibo Huts.
Day 4: Horombo Huts- Kibo Huts: 10.5km | 6-8hrs |
Vegetation: Semi-Desert
Elevation: 3721m to 4714m
Altitude gained: 993m
After breakfast, the will proceeds through the overhanging heathland that blends into a moonlike as you enter the sweeping saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. While we stop here for lunch, and possibly later when you cross this spectacular huge saddle, you can quietly examine the summit trekking up Kibo that you are about to begin in just a few hours to come
Day 5: Kibo Huts – Summit: 6.25km Up | 5-7 Hrs | – Horombo Huts: 15.75KM I Down | 5-6 Hrs | Snow-Capped Summit
Elevation: 4714m to 5895m
Altitude gained: 1181m
Descent to 3721m
Altitude lost: 2174m
Moreover, It is always exciting to see the morning come with an early beginning between midnight and 2 am. This is apparently the most physically and mentally challenging part of the trek indeed.
Then climbing continues to the summit in a switchback formation, at this point you’re advised to try to stay as warm as possible and stick your mind to the spectacular sense of achievement that lies ahead. Moreover, With slow motion, we ascend through a crazy scree and possibly snow towards Gillmans on the crater rim. In fact, The Most magnificent sunrise will shine bright on your face during your short rest here. Furthermore, For the faster hikers, it is obvious that they may view the sunrise right from the summit. However, From here it is remaining only 1 hour to reach Uhuru Peak and you can possibly encounter snow all the way up there.
With the Afrozone Kingdom Safaris, we will congratulate you for reaching Uhuru Peak which is the highest point on the mountain Kilimanjaro and possibly the entire African continent.
After celebrations and photos, a few tears of joy are always allowed indeed. Further, you will have a moment to enjoy your incredible achievement. Then trek begins to descend down to Mweka Camp, with a short stop at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. Basically, Gaiters and trekking poles are recommended for crazy loose gravel and volcano ash terrain at this point. Your last evening and dinner on the mountain will be at Mweka Camp.
Day 6: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi: 20 Km |6-7 Hrs |
Vegetation: Rainforest
Elevation: 3721m to 1905m
Altitude lost: 1816m
After breakfast and a ceremony of appreciation with a team here comes a time to say goodbye, the trekking proceeds to descend with a short stop at the Mandara Huts for a lunch break. Do not forget to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, because you will be leaving them here and returning back to the Marangu Park Gate to receive your summit achievement certificates. The weather is extremely warmer, the trail is wet, steep, and muddy so gaiters and trekking poles are recommended, a vehicle will meet you there to drive you back to Arusha or Moshi.
PRICE: 1980$ PER PERSON
Included
- Mattress
- All meals during the climbing
- Pickup from the airport on arrival
- Drop off back at the airport after climbing
- Transportation from the hotel to the mountain gate
- Transportation back to Arusha after climbing
- Service of professional mountain guide
- Potters Salaries
- Service of professional mountain Cook.
- Hotel accommodations on arrival day Serengeti Villa or Africana grand hotel (BB)
- Hotel accommodation after trekking at Serengeti Villa or Africana grand hotel. (BB)
Excluded
- Items of a personal nature like sleeping bags
- Personal gear
- Tips ( 20$ per day for guides, 15$ per day for a cook, 10$ per day for potters)
- International airfares
- Any required visa
- Travel Insurance
