6 Days to the Top: The Marangu Route Experience
6-Day Marangu climbing is least expensive route on Kilimanjaro. It is also called the coca cola route to the summit. This is the only route with the comforts of sleeping huts at every campsite with solar lights and comfortable beds.
This route is normally done in 5 days (shortest route to the summit) but can be done in 6 days for better acclimatization. The extra day can be of relaxation at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is of high recommendation when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.
Day 0: Arrival at Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport
Distance: 45km /50Mnts
Meet on arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport. Transfer to Tulia Boutique for dinner and overnight BB. (45 km, 50 minutes)
- MEALS: Dinner and Overnight BB
- ACCOMMODATION: Tulia Boutique
Day by Day Kilimanjaro Climbing Itinerary for 5-Day Vaia Marangu Route
Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing at your hotel, start the journey to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 2:30 hour), register and start the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara base camp. A trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering genus Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
Distance: 8km/5miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
You leave the dells of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing at this point. At this point, you may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.
Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 12km /7.5miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Rest Day at Horombo Hut
This will be a full day of relaxation at Horombo Hut with optional hike to Mawenzi Peak.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 0km/0miles
Hiking Time: 0 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Ascending on, 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 fades into “moonscape”. You will have dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb in the next day.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
Distance: 9km /5.5miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (Midnight to 2 am), start the climb to the summit on steep and heavy gravel or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Lasting, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn of the peak. Have your pictures taken at the summit to show your friends and family back home and from here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4miles up / 15km/9miles down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9miles down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady and slow descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut, proceed through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy sometimes though Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy at this point).
Joagro Safaris Tanzania vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha (about 2:30 hours).
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
6-Day Marangu Route Costing
2 pax – USD 1450 per person
3 pax – USD 1431 per person
4+pax – USD 1397 per person
6-Day Marangu Route Includes
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- 2 Nights’ hotel accommodations at the Charity Hotel
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees, Rescue Fees.
- All meals while on the Mountain.
- Arrival and Departure transfers.
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
6-Day Marangu Route Excludes
- Tanzania Visa cost, which is USD 50 except for Canadian and USA passport holders, which are USD 100.
- Personal Expenses.
- Meals not listed above.
- Optional Tours.
Note: You can combine this experience with safari to have a complete taste of Tanzania from the roof top to the wilderness.
