6 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu route trekking

Marangu (“Coca Cola”) Route well known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.

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 Klimanjaro 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 over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro (which we do not recommend anyhow). Otherwise, the Marangu route is a poor choice.

Private

TOUR TYPE

Huts

ACCOMMODATION

Moderate

ACTIVITY LEVEL

Details Itinerary

DAY 1
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

We depart Moshi for Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The hiking trail begins by ascending a beautiful, tropical rain forest. At the upper edge of the forest line, we have the opportunity to see blue monkeys. The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.

DAY 2

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heath

We start the day continuing through the forest until the trail opens into high moorland. We may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks – two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

DAY 3

Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,400 ft
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Heath

Mawenzi Ridge to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 14,400 ft to 12,205
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath

This is an extra day meant for acclimatization and can be spent day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending a few moments exploring the area we head back to Horombo Hut.

DAY 4

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

We climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp, Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.

DAY 5

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath

Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.

After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

DAY 6

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Distance: 20 km/12 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Arusha.

2 nights accommodation at the hotel in Arusha/Moshi
All nights’ accommodation
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
All Park fees and Rescue fees.
All meals while on the Mountain
Arrival and Departure transfers
Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food:
Clean, purified drinking water:
Fair and ethical treatment of porters

International flights
Visa fees
Drinks (if not mentioned above)
Tips
Expenses of personal nature (like souvenirs)
Excursions and trips not included in this program (e.g. Serengeti Balloon Safari),

Inquiry

Based on 17 reviews

Susana

2022-08-22

Una experiencia genial. A fantastic safari Hemos estado con MAASAI AFRICAN GUIDES & DMC Ltd. y con Wild Untouched Adventure por Tanzania y ha sido una experiencia fantástica. 13 días con Ronnie y Cosbi con safaris (Serengeti, Sinya, el paso del río Mara, Tarangire, Ngorongoro, lago Manyara, lago Natron...) y otras experiencias inolvidables como la visita a los bosquimanos, los Masai, el mercado local, excursiones en bici y por el río, etc. Ronnie y Cosbi son unos guías geniales que nos han hecho sentir como en casa. Sin duda los recomiendo a todo los que quieran viajar por Tanzania. Nosotros ya tenemos ganas de repetir.

Orit Kraitsman

2022-08-12

Safari trip with Charles We had great five days with Charles and his team - Goji and Denise. Charles helped us to arrange the tour and booked all the hotels. Everything was great, we saw a lot of animals and had a lot of fun. Charles was always available and responsive, before and during the trip. I highly recommend.

ofer Segal

2022-07-23

Only Charles 8 days Safari with Charles. The best guide we could have asked for.Born as a proud Maasai, Charles knows the wildlife of Tanzania like his own hands. He spotted a Chita where all others missed, minded for us and all our needs and wants.Highly recommend!!!!

Eva-Maria W

2022-05-26

Great Safari with Joel We had Joel as our guide, and he really made sure we had a great experience during our safari. We visited the Ngorogoro crater & Serengeti and were lucky to even catch a lion with her cubs. Unique experience with a great guide that always made us feel safe and answered happily a lot of questions about all the animals, Tanzania and the massai. Highly recommended! Asante sana!

מוטי י

2022-04-10

Charles is the most good guide For the start, only charles.. And now we can continue. He is so professional, so nice, he know everything on the country, trees, animals... I dont think there is question that he dont have a good answer. He makes our honeymoon the base holiday! He is loyal and make feeling a lot of confidence in country in afrika. It feels like im in germany with the conference! If you ask me? Only charles!

Kristoffer B

2022-03-07

Highly recommended! I had the pleasure of spending a week on Kilimanjaro with the most friendly, supportive and welcoming team imaginable. From arrival to departure, we felt very well taken care of by both the trekking team led by guide Shambani and Charles’ team in Arusha. I highly recommend Maasai African Guides to anyone interested in taking up the challenge of climbing Kilimanjaro or looking to explore the Arusha area.

Thomas A

2021-10-09

3 days safari going to Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater It was a fantastic experience in these exceptional natural environments, Charles was a very attentive, knowledgeable and friendly guide, he answered all my many questions and we saw a lot of wildlife

Ron

2021-10-01

Charles is the best guide to explorer the safari parks in Tanzania We just return from 8 days adventure in Tanzania, and Charles was our guide. He was incredible, reliable, professional, with fluque English and we enjoyed with him a lot. He did a lot to make us satisfied. In the parks he was amazing find us many amazing animals that we couldn't see without he shows us. As a Massay he leave and breath and respect the wild animals and the nature in Tanzania. Most recommended to visit only with a guide like him that knows every rode every trail, and each creature...

katarina v

2021-09-18

Tarangire Serengeti Ngoro Ngoro safari I had Charles as a guide during a 4 day safari to Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngoro Ngoro and it was the most beautiful experience.Charles has an incredible knowledge about the animals, the nature, the country... He knows the animals so well that we saw all of them, even the Chita who's so difficult to spot sometimes. He not only knows them but he loves them and is very respectful of the surroundings and nature in general.I highly recommend Charles for his kindness, his amazing knowledge, his humour and his patience with the group. Really a wonderful experience!

Arik M

2021-09-15

Charles - amazing guide and person Charles was our driver and guide at our 30th anniversary 10 days trip to Tanzania. He is experienced, reliable, knowledgeable, a pleasant-mannered person, great to have conversations with. A rare combination of a field man and a certified tour guide. Took care of us from the moment we arrived until returning to the airport at the end of the trip. Patiently answered all our questions (and we had a lot...). Charles was highly motivated to find animals and bring us to them up close, to arrive at the right moment to the great Gnu crossing the Mara River and in general to respond to every request we had. Highly recommended😁