The Marangu Route, also known as the "Coca-Cola Route," is one of the most popular and straightforward trails to conquer the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. Over six days, this classic trek offers breathtaking scenery, comfortable accommodation in huts, and a gradual ascent to help climbers acclimatize.
Unlike other routes that require camping, the Marangu Route provides trekkers with a series of well-maintained huts. These huts offer simple but comfortable dormitory-style sleeping arrangements, communal dining areas, and protection from the elements. This makes the Marangu Route an appealing choice, especially for those unaccustomed to camping.
The Marangu Route can be completed in as few as five days (though six days with an acclimatization day is highly recommended), making it one of the shortest routes to the summit. This shorter duration appeals to climbers with limited time or those looking for a less physically demanding trek.
We meet you at your lodge/hotel in Arusha or Moshi a day before for detailed briefing & gear checking. Please let us know if you will need transfers & accommodation in Arusha before and after trekking to be included in your prices.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Distance: Approx. 8 km
Vegetation type: Montane forest & moorland
Today, your Kilimanjaro climb on Marangu route 6 days starts by trekking up to Mandara hut at (2700 m), your will hike through beautiful landscape of the mountain forest & along little streams and water falls. Kisamboni picnic area the place for lunch can be reached after 1.5 hrs walk from the park gate. From Kisamboni another 1.5 hrs will be needed to reach Mandara hut (2,700). The vegetation type at the campsite is of low alpine zone and moorland, with shrub and trees accompanied with lots of lichens.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approx. 11 km
Vegetation type: Moorland
After light breakfast, your second hiking day on Kilimanjaro Mt. Marangu route starts, this day you will hike along the last patches of the mountane forest past the other side of Maundi crater and soon you will reach the moorland vegetation zone. Horombo huts can accommodate 120 people all sleeping in beds and it is like a small village and the only huts on Kilimanjaro with beds. You have one day here for relaxing and acclimatization be prepared as nights here tends to be crazy cold.
Distance: Approx. 15 km
After breakfast Horombo Hut, spend a day here allowing your body to adjust to high altitude. If you wish you can have a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (46 00 m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Your preference for this day will decide on where to have lunch if you will hike to Mawezi then you will take packed lunch.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approx. 15 km
Vegetation type: Alpine
Your hiking day will start after breakfast.
Saddle the area in-between Mawenzi and Kibo can be reached in two different routes, through the upper route which is eroded and stomy or by taking the lower route which is easier and most recommended where you can pass near the water point at (4200 m) which is the last in this route.
You will reach Kibo huts at (4700 m) after 2 walking hours. Kibo hut is at the barren Alpine desert with only grasses and everlasting flowers. Kibo huts are built with stone blocks and have 60 bunk beds and platform toilets. Reaching the camp same procedures will follow as per previous days.
Hiking time: 8 hours
Distance: Approx. 21 km
Vegetation type: Stone Scree / Ice Cap Summit
This is the final part of your Mt Kilimanjaro climbing on Marangu route will, You will start at midnight. On this day after early dinner your guide will give you a detailed briefing on how you can successful get to the summit, what to pack, what to wear and on so. You will then prepare all needed gears before going to sleep as the starting hours will be around mid-night depends on your pace.
On the way you will pass Williams Point at (5,000 m), Hans Meyer Cave at (5,150 m) and Gillman’s point at (5,681 m) positioned on the crater’s rim. To reach Hans Meyer Cave from Kibo hut you will spend almost two and a half hours. Gilman’s point is placed just a short distance from Hans Meyer Cave, it is about an hour to get there.
From Gilman’s point you will possibly need not less than 1 hour and a half to reach the summit. The rest of your climbing all the way up to Uhuru Peak will be covered with snow and the walking will be along the rim of crater’s. Stella point at (5,752 m) will be passed on the way and this is the point where other Kilimanjaro routes reach the rim.
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approx. 19 km
Vegetation type: Low alpine zone, Moorland.
You will have breakfast at Horombo hut before starting your last day down from Kilimanjaro. Hot lunch will be served at Mandara hut (27,00 m), little rest before starting your way, hopeful the path is familiar as you have passed here on your first day.
Reaching Marangu gate, you will provide some details to the register on where you have reached. Certificate for reaching Gilmann’s Point is in green color & gold certificate (big Diploma) for reaching Uhuru Peak the actual summit of Kilimanjaro Mountain. This will be the time for celebration singing & dancing followed by tips session, you may start with potters, cook & lastly the guides.
Starts From 1 Person at: $1,680
Per person for 2 people: $1,620
Per person for 3 - 5 people: $1,560
