Overview
The Marangu Route is one of the most popular and oldest routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known as the “Coca-Cola Route” due to its reputation for being a less strenuous climb and offering more comfortable accommodations compared to other routes. Here is an overview of a typical 5 to 6 days Marangu Route climb itinerary:
Itinerary
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to a hotel in Moshi or Arusha for an overnight stay.
Day 2: Drive to Marangu Gate (1,830m/6,000ft) and hike to Mandara Hut (2,700m/8,858ft) for 3-4 hours. The hike will take you throuthe gh rainforest and offer stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro and the surrounding landscape.
Day 3: Hike from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) for 5-6 hours. The trail will take you through moorland and offers panoramic views of the mountain and the surrounding valleys.
Day 4: Rest day at Horombo Hut for acclimatization. You can hike to Zebra Rocks or Mawenzi Tarn for better acclimatization.
Day 5: Hike from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4,703m/15,430ft) for 6-7 hours. The trail passes through the alpine desert and offers breathtaking views of the mountain and the surrounding landscape
Day 6: Summit day. You will wake up at midnight and start the ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft). The hike to the summit will take around 6-7 hours and will be challenging due to the high altitude and steep ascent. You will reach the summit just in time to see the sunrise over the African savannah. After taking in the views, you will descend to Kibo Hut for a short rest and then continue down to Horombo Han ut for overnight stay.
Day 7: Descend from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate for 5-6 hours. You will receive your summit certificates at the gate and then transfer back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a celebratory dinner and overnight stay.
Day 8: Departure day. You will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight back home.