Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via The Marangu Route
The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is one of the most popular routes for climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It is considered one of the easier routes due to its more gradual incline and comfortable sleeping huts along the way. The route typically takes around 5-6 days to complete, with climbers staying in designated huts along the trail instead of camping.
The Marangu Route is known for its scenic beauty, with lush rainforests, stunning views of the glacier-covered summit, and diverse flora and fauna. However, its popularity also means that it can be quite crowded, especially during the peak climbing seasons.
While the Marangu Route is considered easier than some of the other routes up to Mount Kilimanjaro, it is still a challenging trek that requires a good level of physical fitness and mental determination. Climbers should be prepared for changes in weather, high altitudes, and long days of hiking. It is important to acclimatize properly and follow the advice of experienced guides to ensure a safe and successful climb.
Why this 6 Days Marangu Route?
A 5 or 6-day ascent starts from the south eastern side of the Mountain. Marangu route is by far the most popular route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This could partly be because of the fact that the Marangu route is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier than on the Machame Route.
This is not always the best way due to a shorter acclimatization period.
• Duration: 5 or 6 days
• Distance: Approximately 72 km (45 miles)
• Scenery: Rainforests, alpine meadows, and glaciers
Highlights of the 6 Days Marangu Route?
√ Shortest route to the summit which means a lower success rate.
√ Ascent and descent on same route.
√ Only route up Kilimanjaro with dormitory style accommodation.
6 days Marangu Route Itinerary
You will be greeted on arrival by our friendly JAMBO MAASAI TOURS team who will transfer you to your hotel in either Moshi or Arusha. After meals or refreshments, mountain climbing briefing and climbing equipment inspection. Overnight at your Hotel on bed and breakfast basis.
After an early breakfast you leave the lodge and drive to Marangu gate for registration and start ascend through the rainforest with full of trees where you can see Colubus Monkeys and Blue Monkeys. There is occasional rainfall during certain times of the year. You will take your lunch packet halfway before reaching Mandara Hut. After lunch proceed to Mandara Hut where you have to sign on your arrival. After a short rest, you can have a walk to the nearby Maundi Crater where you can view spectacular plains of Kenya and then back for Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.
After Breakfast, you leave Mandara to ascend through the forest for at least 20 minutes, and then proceed to an open area, grassland and moorland up to Horombo hut (12,000ft). Both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks can be viewed easily on the way. Dinner and an overnight stay at Horombo hut.
A leisurely walk to The Saddle by the right hand path takes you close to Mawenzi. This is an extra day of acclimatization and it is an ideal day to rest as well as walk high and sleep low. You then return to Horombo for a hot lunch, leisure, dinner and overnight.
After Breakfast further ascending to Kibo hut (15,000ft). The landscape becomes very stony and eroded where there is grassland – spectacular mountain vegetation as giant lobelias, groundsel and cactus appear on the way, moorland up Mawenzi ridge 4,000m then alpine desert to Kibo hut. Early dinner and early sleep for final preparation for the summit.
Wake up at midnight, after tea and snacks, start for the summit at 12.00 midnight through Gilman’s point (18,640ft). It is about 5 – 6 hours from Kibo hut to Gilman’s point and from Gilman’s point it is about 2Hrs to Uhuru Peak (19,340ft), the highest point of Kilimanjaro where you will be given enough time at the top of Africa taking some photographs and admiring the beautiful views, and not forgetting signing a special book kept at the top of the mountain for visitors. The temperature range from just below freezing at midnight at the summit. As dawn nears, we will summit at Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa at 19,340 feet. After breathtaking you will start to descend straight to Kibo Hut for breakfast, then proceed down to Horombo Hut for dinner and where you will spend a night resting and memorizing.
From Horombo Hut it is a 7 – 8 hours descent through the forest to Marangu gate (depending on individual fitness) to sign out, collect certificates, meet the Crews for a word and meet the vehicle ready to be ferried to Moshi or Arusha for night at your Hotel for a day at leisure, overnight or evening transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
