5-6 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route
Tour snapshot
6 Days / 5 Nights
Mountain Climbing
Yes
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Activities
Overview
The Marangu Route nick named (Coca Cola Route)is the oldest and most well established trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro, and it remains extremely popular compare to others. This path provides trekkers with the classic Kilimanjaro climbing experience, offering sweeping views and a wonderful hiking adventure all the way to the summit of Uhuru Peak. That said, it also has some unique aspects that set it apart from any of the other routes as well, giving Marangu route a character and feeling that is entirely its own. A 6 day variant provides good time for acclimatization due to a rest day at Horombo Hut.
Itinerary
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport to be picked up, taken to your hotel for overnight stay. A pre-climb briefing can be organized where we will provide you all the information to prepare for your climb. This will include a day to day guide of your climb, the gear required as well as discussing acute mountain sickness and all health and safety on Kilimanjaro.
Leave Moshi by car 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 for Dinner and overnight.
Distance: About 12 km | Hiking time: 3-5 hours | Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, follow the ascending path through the alpine – meadow. The altitude begins to change and slowdown your pace while enjoying the flora and the view of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at the Horombo Hut for Dinner and overnight.
Distance: About 12 km | Hiking time: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Moorland
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.
Distance: About 5 km | Hiking time: 2-3 hours | Habitat: Moorland
Mawenzi Ridge (4020 m) and back Horombo Hut (3720 m)
Distance: About 5 km | Hiking time: 1-2 hours | Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, resume the climb, the landscape becomes rugged and rocky. Lobelias begin to appear then cross the lunar desert of the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo. Continue to Kibo hut for dinner and preparations for the summit.
Distance: About 10 km | Hiking time: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Alpine desert
Summit Attempt!!
The beginning of the last ascent is made in the wee hours of the morning while the scree is still frozen. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. Climb the very steep part of the route to GILMANS POINT (likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak). UHURU PEAK is reached within an hour's walk along the crater rim. (19,344 ft). Start the walk along the craters rim. (19,344 ft). Start the descent to Horombo hut for overnight.
Distance: 6 km ascent + 16 km descent | Hiking time: 6-8 hours to Uhuru | Descend time: 4-5 hours to Horombo | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
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Make the final descent through the rain forest to Marangu Gate. Here we will collect our summit certificates, have lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew before drive back to Moshi/Arusha to your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Distance: About 20 km | Descend time: 5-7 hours | Habitat: Moorland, Montane forest
After breakfast, depart for your next destination, which is optional or can be arranged:
- Safari to the National Parks
- Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airport
- Transport to Other Towns in Tanzania i.e. Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar
- Nairobi via border town Namanga
FAQs about
5-6 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route
This route is attempted by many novice hikers every year as it offers comfortable hut accommodations, as opposed to other routes that require you to sleep in mountain tents. Many people attest that this route is less difficult compared to other hikes to the top of Kilimanjaro. It is a common misconception for trekkers to perceive a 5-day hike to be easier than a 6-day hike. However, the 5-day options can be very difficult as it does not allow for much time to acclimate to the altitude. The 6-day option is much easier, but a good level of fitness is still required.
The exact distance on the Marangu Route is 82 km or 50 miles. The shortest number of days required for the Marangu Route is 5 days, however, when you take into consideration the arrival and departure days, it is 8-10 days. As the Marangu Route is the shortest route on the mountain, it is best to complete the journey over 6 days to increase your chances of success.
As it is one of the shortest routes on the mountain, the Marangu Route has the lowest summit success rates. This is mainly because of the unprofessional local tour guides who take groups up the mountain on the shorter 5-day hike. Because of this, the 5-day average success rate is 50%! We advise our hikers with this in mind, so we only take the 6-day option which increases the success rate to over 90%!
The Marangu route ascends through the rainforest, moorlands, and alpine areas before ending in the glacial zone. This trek is very beautiful and is the only route that allows you to descend the same way you ascended.
Between July and September is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. The weather is the most stable during this period and encountering rain is less likely. Since it is close to the equator, it is possible to climb the mountain at any time during the year. Be cautious, April and May are the wettest months, so this period is best avoided.
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