Overview
Marangu Route, commonly known as the Coca Cola Route is more popular because it can be done in fewer days and has permanent sleep huts at the campsites. Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. It is a shorter route with a steeper incline to the summit from the Kibo base camp. This is the only route where the ascent and descent routes are shared, thus creating more traffic. Duration: 5 or 6 days Difficulty: Medium Scenery: Good Traffic: High.
Itinerary
Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
- You’ll be collected from the airport.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
Day 1 Marangu Gate - Mandara Huts
In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Moshi. A 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. You will wait for your permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. You will enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
7k /mi | 4-5 hrs. | Rainforest Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2740m/9000ft.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Mandara Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 2 Mandara Huts - Horombo Huts
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you will emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, through heathland, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels. You will continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. You will stop halfway for lunch, to enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. You will arrive at the Horombo Huts later in the afternoon beneath the spectacular Kibo Summit viewpoint. Temperatures begin to drop at this point.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Horombo Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 3 Horombo Huts - Kibo Huts
After breakfast, you will continue through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Here while you stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit, and climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.
10km/6mi | 6-8hrs | Semi Desert Elevation: 3690m/12,100ft to 4695m/15,400ft.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Kibo Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 4 Kibo Huts - Summit - Horombo Huts
Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2:00 am. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. You will continue your way to the summit in a switchback formation trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion, you will ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow toward Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.
Congratulations, one step at a time. You have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy you will take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. You will begin your steep descent down to Horombo huts, stopping at Kibo for lunch and a very brief rest.
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- Horombo Hut
- Budget mountain hut located in or near Mt Kilimanjaro
- Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
Day 5 Horombo Huts- Marangu Gates - Moshi
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. You will continue the descent down stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. You will return back to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). You will enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!
- Main Destination:
- Mount Kilimanjaro
- Accommodation:
- No accommodation (End of tour)
- Meals & Drinks:
- All meals included
- Drinking water (Other drinks not included)
End of tour
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- You’ll be dropped off at the airport.
Climb Kilimanjaro costs
Includes the following:
- Transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees (totaling 1165$ per person)
- Value Added Tax (VAT) – 18% of the tour price
- Expert guide, assistant guide, cook & porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only. Other equipment’s with the guide, radios, oximeters for oxygen level checks
- Four season, 3-person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Free storage of excess baggage not required on the mountain hike.
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain. (can be catered for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free & Halal)
- Breakfast at hotel
Excludes the following:
- Flights.
- Optional activities.
- Visa fees.
- Alcoholic and soft drinks.
- Travel insurance.
- Tips for Mountain Crews.
- Personal gear like sleeping bags, Hiking poles, etc.
- Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.