The Marangu Route is the oldest route on Kilimanjaro. It’s also known as the “Tourist Route” and the “Coca-Cola Route” due to its popularity and reputation as an easy route. The Marangu route is steady and gradual and the path is comfortable and easy to walk on. The Marangu route also offers hut accommodation at every campsite, which offers shelter against wind and rain. Despite the fact that Marangu has the reputation of an easy route, it actually has the lowest summiting success rate of all the routes. This is partly due to the fact that it is the shortest route and can be done in just 5 days, which does not offer you adequate acclimatization time. It is recommended that you do this route in 6 days to provide more acclimatization time and a better chance to reach the summit.
After breakfast at your hotel in Moshi you will be transferred to Marangu Gate, where you will register and complete park formalities. You will start your trek through the fascinating and dense rainforest. You will have lunch at the Kisamboni picnic area, the halfway point of the day. You will walk for another hour and a half until you reach the first hut, known as Mandara Hut.
Hiking time: approximately 3 hours
The day begins with an early breakfast and you will ascend through an alpine meadow. As the altitude increases you will slow your walking speed. On the way you will enjoy the flora and the view of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. You will arrive at Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.
Hiking time: approximately 9 hours
At midnight, after a cup of hot tea or coffee and snacks, you will begin your ascent to the summit. This climb is steep and demanding and you will use your headlamp to light the way. You will climb slowly in the darkness until you reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point (5681m), where you will rest and enjoy the spectacular sunrise over Mawenzi. After hiking for another two hours you will reach Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point on Kilimanjaro! After a short break to celebrate and take pictures on the roof of Africa, you will descend to Kibo Hut for breakfast and lunch. After a few hours of rest at the camp you will descend to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.
Hiking time: approximately 13-15 hours
After breakfast you will start your final day descending through the moorland zone to Mandara hut (2700m), where you will take a break for hot lunch. After lunch you will continue trekking through tropical rainforest to reach Marangu gate. At the gate you will complete park formalities and receive your certificate. After saying goodbye to your crew a car will take you to your hotel in Moshi.
Hiking time: approximately 8 hours