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Trekking Overview

Also known as the “Coca Cola route” – the Marangu route is one of the most popular routes leading to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many hikers believe that the Marangu route is the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the only route which can be hiked in 5 days (making it the cheapest option). However, we strongly recommend hiking the route over 6 days to increase your chances of reaching the summit successfully. Note that this is the only route that provides communal sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every overnight site. Some basic goods such as mineral water, beer and chocolates are also sold at most sites. The Marangu route takes the same route for both ascend and descend.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 Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.

However, despite its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Marangu is favored only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred.

Airport pick-up- Drop off at Hotel

You will be met and picked up by the staff of Gilma Safari Experts at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and driven to your accommodation in Moshi. Participants will be given a short briefing for the climb the next day. Kits and the necessary equipment will be checked as well.


Meals: Dinner and Breakfast

Accommodation: Any hotel you book or wecan recommend

 Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m)
Hiking time: 5hrs •Distance: Approximately 8.1 km • Habitat: Montane forest

The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment.

From the park gate, we ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest where you will see most of Kilimanjaro’s animals. An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to rejoin the main trail either after 1 ½ hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut where you will spend the night.

Mandara hut consists of a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mandara hut
Mandara hut (2715m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 6hours •Distance: Approximately 11.6 km •Habitat: Moorland

From Mandara hut, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into a transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, with sightings of majestic glaciers in the morning sun.

Once you are in the open moorland, you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m. After about 6 hours trek from here, you reach the Horombo hut for your accommodation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Horombo hut (3705m) – Acclimatization day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara with a capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1 ½ hours down) is strongly recommended.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
Hiking time: 6hours •Distance: Approximately 9.6 km •Habitat: Alpine desert

After breakfast, we continue our ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo, there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The upper route should be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. This section is very stony and eroded.

The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m.

Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut.

The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set available as well. To prevent freezing, it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo

Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent •Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

You will rise around 23h20, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m) and also offers a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.

From Gillmans Point, you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest, you gather all your gear you left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening, you will have your last dinner on the mountain and have your well-earned sleep.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
Hiking time: 6 hours •Distance: Approximately 19.7 km

After breakfast, you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. At Marangu gate, you will receive your summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi/ Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebration.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Keys Hotel Moshi
Pre & Post Trek accommodation
Professional guides, cooks and porters
Transportation to & from the mountain gate
Park fees, camping fees & rescue fees
VAT fees and Charges
Double layered Sleeping Mats
3 meals daily while on the mountain
Filtered water throughout the trek
Portable toilets and toilets tents
Hot Water For Washing Purpose
Pick up and drop off at the airport.
Fair wages for the mountain crew.
International flights
Tip to the driver guide and hoteliers
Insurance fees
Cost of Tanzania Visa.
Bank charges
Personal Expenses
We are Always Ready for a Challenge.

Kilimax Adventures is a real Safari and Mountain Climbing company providing Tailor Made and Scheduled Safaris, Mountain climbing throughout Tanzania. Our unique position affords us the ability to be experts in our field. We have an intimate and personal knowledge of all the regions here and are informed as to where and when to visit. With our experience and the knowledge of our Guides, we can offer versatile itineraries for Families, Corporate teams, and Individual Groups. We are among the best experts when it comes to Tanzania and East Africa.

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