Route Highlights
- Trek Duration: 5 Days, 4 Nights
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Good
- Traffic: High
- Start & End: Moshi, Kilimanjaro
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Route 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 and less time for acclimatization it tends to have a lower summit success rate. This is the only route where the ascent and descent route is shared, thus creating more traffic.
Trekking Itinerary
Mandara Hut
Elevation: 1700m to 2740m; 5500ft to 9000ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 7 km | 4.2 miles
Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment located at 9000 ft / 2740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
Horombo Camp
Elevation: 2700m to 3700m; 9000ft to 12,100ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 11 kms
Habitat: Healthland
After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You will start to feel the effects of the altitude.
If you wish to extend you trek, here you can spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
Kibo Camp
Elevation: 3700m to 4700m; 12,100ft to 15,400ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 10 kms
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
Summit and Horombo
Elevation: 14700m to 5895m (and down to 3700m)
Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
Distance:4 km up / 14 km down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim at 18640 ft / 5861 m (4-7 hours). Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa: 19340 ft / 5895 m (1-2 hours). Unbelievable views at every turn. Get your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. From here, we now descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment for dinner and a tired but happy overnight (1-2 hours).
This beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. “Pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Horombo Hut to Moshi
Elevation: 3700m to 1700m
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 18 km up / 10.8miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
After breakfast, A steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m / 8858 ft), the first stopping place at the Marangu route. Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1830 m / 6004 ft). At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration!
Total Cost Covers:
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Airport Transfers (to and from the Airport)
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Clean, purified drinking water
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All meals while on the Mountain
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Rescue Fees and all taxes.
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Sleeping Mats
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Kilimanjaro entrance/conservation fees
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Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
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Kilimanjaro Camping fees
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Oxygen Tanks, Oximeter, & First Aid Kit
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Quality Sleeping tents shared by 2 clients
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Mess tents, Crew tents, Table, Chairs, eating utensils, cooking equipment.
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Transfers from Hotel to Kilimanjaro entrance gate and from Kilimanjaro exit gate to the hotel
Cost does not Cover:
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International and local airfare.
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Yellow fever vaccinations
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Passport, Visa, and Travelers Insurance
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Personal expenses eg. Laundry, beverages, etc.
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Tips for the support team
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Bed, Sleeping Bag, and walking Poles.
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Private Toilet and hot shower tent
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Local transport before & after the climb.
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Optional tours not mentioned in itinerary.
| No of Clients | Price(per person) |
|---|---|
| 2-3 | $ 1,450 |
| 4-5 | $1,400 |
| 6+ | $1,350 |
