5 Days Marangu Route
The Marangu Route has been referred to as the ‘Coca Cola’ route and this has led potential climbers to think that it is an easy route to the summit.
This is far from the truth to be honest! The fact that it requires a minimum of 5 days to complete it does not mean that it is easier than any other route.
The only reason that people say it is easier is because it is the only route up where you sleep in huts as opposed to tents. An optional acclimatization day at Horombo Huts is highly recommended for those with no prior trekking in altitude experience under their belt.
Advance booking of hut accommodation is required to avoid any inconveniences. The route starts from the park headquarters in the village of Marangu and heads straight westwards towards Kibo. The trail goes through lush rainforest, heath and moorland to alpine desert and ultimately the arctic zone at the peak and same route down
Our 5 days Marangu Trekking Route includes information such as transportation details, accommodations, and activities for each day. We want to ensure that our clients are able to make the most of their time in this particular destination.
Accommodation: Overnight at an arranged Hotel
Our driver will meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport for pick up and transferred to your designated 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 gears. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the park headquarters in the Marangu village. Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut
Overnight: Mandara Hut
Trekking hours: 3 – 4
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Few miles later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Trekking hours: 5-6
This day’s walk is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
Overnight: Kibo hut
Trekking hours: 5-6
Today is “The Big Day” - the summit stage. 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.
Overnight: Horombo hut
Trekking hours: 12-15
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Overnight: Arranged hotel
Trekking hours: 7-8
Depart Tanzania
This day left for your next destination. If you have safari, then might be used to beginning your safari or fly to Zanzibar or fly back home. Our vehicle will be ready to take you to the airport at your time.
Travel information provides essential details to help you make informed decisions and enhance your overall travel experience. We have prepared some important travel information including weather, documentation and recommendations to allow you to navigate our destinations with confidence and ease.
It is of course impossible to predict exact weather conditions, and mountains are notorious for creating their own, localized conditions. The highland areas of East Africa, including Northern Tanzania where Kilimanjaro and the parks of Ngorongoro, Tarangire and Lake Manyara are located, have a pleasant, temperate climate throughout the year. There is a long rainy season in April/May and a second, shorter rainy period in November/early December. Temperatures vary greatly with altitude. At the foot of Kilimanjaro it’s usually approximately 25- 28⁰C, dropping to 15⁰C at night. At 3000m, daytime temperatures can be around 15⁰C. Above 4000m, the night-time temperatures will fall below freezing and it is usually no more than 10⁰C in the day.
It is recommended that you do not photograph Tanzanians without their express permission. However, you will find that many people enjoy having their pictures taken especially if they can see the instant results of a digital image. If individuals do refuse to be photographed, please respect this decision
In some cities and towns in Tanzania, expensive-looking clothing, jewelry and electronics could put you at an unnecessary risk for robbery or worse. Individuals with electronic equipment such as laptops, cameras, and music players are asked to use them discreetly.
Tipping is not a common practice in Tanzania, with exception of the tourism industry. It is customary for visitors climbing Kilimanjaro or going on Safari to tip the guides and crew. This is discretionary and should depend on the level of service you received and be a mirror of your satisfaction of the professionalism of the team.
We strongly feel this should not depend on whether or not you reached the top. Whilst discretionary, many of our guests ask us for a guideline so we suggest the following percentages:
Kilimanjaro Expeditions: 10-15% of total sum shared across the crew
Safaris: 5-7% of total sum shared across the crew
Local Excursions: 10% of total sum shared across the crew
Though Tanzania is a rather tolerant country, people tend to dress rather conservatively and it is a sign of respect that you dress the same. Women should never dress in what the local people might interpret as a provocative fashion. We recommend that skirts or shorts at or below the knees or long pants should be worn at all times. Spaghetti strap tops, halter tops, or tank tops are not worn by local women very often, but are definitely seen more now than they used to be. Tight fitting or revealing clothing should be avoided – mainly to avoid stares from local men rather than any other reason.
Men can wear shorts or trousers, although you will find the local men rarely wear shorts. It is also advisable that men avoid wearing sleeveless shirts. It can be rainy between November – April, so we’d suggest bringing a raincoat and a sweatshirt. At other times of the year, light cotton clothing is best for the heat, though you should be prepared and pack a light sweater just in case.
We recommend that you make 3 photocopies of each of the below documents; you should scan them and email them to yourself as well.
We recommend that you make 3 photocopies of each of the above documents; you should scan them and email them to yourself as well. On your journey to Africa, you should keep one copy in your backpack, one in your day-bag and give one set to your parents or a friend back home (in case you need to contact them in case of an emergency). To be extra safe you should also bring with you photocopies of the following:
It is strongly recommended you secure travelers insurance for your upcoming trip and if climbing Kilimanjaro with us, be sure to include this additional coverage. The nearest hospitals of western standards for severe and life-threatening emergencies are located in Nairobi. For a minimal fee we can arrange Emergency Air Evacuation coverage to be transferred via helicopter to accredited facilities. Medical evacuations often cost tens of thousands of US Dollars
There are many options for this, including AMREF Flying Doctors, Air Med, Medjet Assistance, International SOS, Patriot Travel Medical Insurance and Foreignsure. Before your trip, we recommend that you consult with an insurance provider about these and other options to decide what is best for you.
As a developing country, health care costs are considered fairly low for local and basic services, and International travelers usually have to pay cash for any required medical care during travel. Few places will bill your home health insurance direction. And many health insurances plans do not cover medical care outside of your home country
We believe travel is so much more than just getting from one point to another.
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