Kilimanjaro Via Marangu Route
The Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is one of the popular trekking routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route due to its relative ease and availability of amenities along the way. Here are some key features of the Marangu Route:
- Difficulty Level: The Marangu Route is considered to be one of the easier routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It is often chosen by those who have less trekking experience or prefer a less physically demanding climb.
- Accommodation: Unlike other routes that use tents for accommodation, the Marangu Route has designated wooden huts for overnight stays. These huts have basic facilities such as sleeping bunks and communal dining areas.
- Acclimatization: The Marangu Route provides less stable acclimatization compared to other routes that follow longer and more gradual ascents. This can increase the risk of altitude sickness for some climbers.
- Duration: The standard duration for the Marangu Route is usually 5 or 6 days, with 6 days being the most common. Longer durations may offer better acclimatization and higher chances of reaching the summit.
- Scenery: While the Marangu Route offers beautiful views of the landscape, it is known for being less scenic compared to other routes like Machame or Lemosho.
- Success Rate: The success rate for reaching the summit on the Marangu Route is typically around 90 – 95% or higher, depending on factors such as the climber’s physical condition and proper acclimatization.
- Trail Highlights: The Marangu Route passes through various vegetation zones, including rainforest and moorland, before reaching the alpine desert and the snow-capped summit.
- Climbing Services: The Marangu Route is well-established, and climbing services such as huts, toilets, and cooking facilities are provided along the way. It is one of the few routes where climbers do not need to carry camping equipment.
Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours via Marangu route
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by an Ahsante Tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.
- Elevation: 1860m to 2700m
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: 8 km
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Habitat: Rainforest
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
- Elevation: 2700m to 3700m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 12 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
- Elevation: 3700m to 4700m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 10 km
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
- Elevation: 4700m to 5895m (ascent) and then down to 3700m (descent)
- Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
- Distance: 22 km (6 km ascent, 16 km descent)
- Difficulty: Very Difficult
- Habitat: Arctic (Summit Zone)
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
- Elevation: 3700m to 1860m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 20 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Heath and Moorland, then Rainforest
Say goodbye to the extraordinary Kilimanjaro trek. We’ll transport you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your journey with a thrilling wildlife safari or a peaceful vacation to Zanzibar.
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by an Ahsante Tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.
- Elevation: 1,970m to 2,700m
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Habitat: Rainforest
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
- Elevation: (2,700m) to (3,720m)
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Montane forest transitioning to moorland
Today serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and greatly improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, a 4-hour trek follows to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day.
- Elevation: Horombo Huts (3,720m)
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours roundtrip
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Easy
- Habitat: Alpine desert
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
- Elevation: (3,720m) to (4,703m)
- Hiking Time: Not specified
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Habitat: Heathland and alpine desert
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
- Elevation: Kibo Huts (4,700m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Horombo Huts (3,720m)
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours ascent, 7-8 hours descent
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Very strenuous
- Habitat: Glacial zone
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
- Elevation: (3,720m) to (1,830m/6,000ft)
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Easy
- Habitat: Rainforest
Say goodbye to the extraordinary Kilimanjaro trek. We’ll transport you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Alternatively, extend your journey with a thrilling wildlife safari or a peaceful vacation to Zanzibar.
Prices Includes For Climbs
- All meals on the hike.
- All Park entrance fees.
- All prices are quoted in US Dollars.
- Camping equipment if applicable (tents
- mattresses
- sleeping bags
- pillows
- table and chairs)
- Flying Doctors rescue insurance for the time of the tour with Smile With Us Africa.
- Flights (International)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips for Guides, Porters & Chef
- Personal expenses in nature such as money for souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees etc.
- Visa fees (100 USD for American and 50 USD for non-American)
- Immunization documents (yellow fever recommended for visa processing on arrivals)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and /or park fees
- Transport from our base hotel in Moshi to the Mountain gate and back to our base hotel in Moshi.
- Park fees.
- Fees of national park approved guide and porters.
- 18% VAT.
- 4 Season mountaineering tents (On camping routes only).
- Comfortable mess tents (On camping routes only).
- Foam camping matress (On camping routes only).
- Camping chairs (on camping routes only).
- Camping tables (On camping routes only).
- Food resupply (Once on trek).
- Solar lighting in dining tent.
- Daily health monitoring (Twice a day with an oximeter).
- Oxygen cylinder (1 cylinder per every 4 pax).
- Hyperbaric presuure bag (1 per every 5 pax).
- Chemical toilet (1 per every 5 pax).
- Delicious food on the mountain depending on the dietary requirements of the clients (B/L/D).
- AED heart saving machine.
- Hot water for getting fresh in the morning and once you reach camp.
- Altitude sickness checklist.
- Full trip and safety briefing.
- Fully stocked first aid kit.
- Wash basin for each climber at camp.
- Three delicious and hearty meals per day.
- Snacks upon arrival in camp.
- VHF radios.
- Drinking water and fruit juices.
- Experienced cooks, guides and porters.
- Food resupply (once on trek).
- 2 Nights hotel in Moshi HB (B/A the climb) in either Park View Inn, Sal Salinero Hotel OR Panama Garden Resort depending on availability.
- Tips.
- Visas.
- Airline tickets.
- Airport transfers.
- Airport taxes.
- Laundry.
- Insurances.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Other beverages apart from fruit juices and mineral water given on the first day of the climb and boiled water given during the climb.
- Other equipments on the mountain. (other than tents, camping table and chairs). (Mountain gear)
- Private transport from our base hotel in Moshi to the Mountain gate and back to our base hotel in Moshi.
- Park fees.
- Fees of national park approved guide and porters.
- 18% VAT.
- 4 Season mountaineering tents (On camping routes only).
- Comfortable mess tents (On camping routes only).
- 2 Foam camping mattresses for each client (On camping routes only).
- Camping chairs (On camping routes only).
- Camping tables (On camping routes only).
- Hot water bottle for sleeping bag.
- Personal porter for carrying day packs.
- Bottled water throughout the climb.
- Food resupply (Once on trek).
- Solar lighting in dining tent.
- Solar lighting in sleeping tent.
- Kilimanjaro Map for each client.
- Daily health monitoring (Twice a day with an oximeter).
- Oxygen cylinder (1 cylinder per every 4 pax).
- Hyperbaric pressure bag (1 per every 5 pax).
- Chemical toilets (1 per every 5 pax).
- Delicious food on the mountain depending on the dietary requirements of the clients. (B/L/D).
- AED heart saving machine.
- Souveniers for each client after the climb.
- Hot water for getting fresh in the morning and once you reach camp.
- Altitude sickness checklist.
- Full trip and safety briefing.
- Fully stocked first aid kit.
- Wash basin for each climber at camp.
- Three delicious and hearty meals per day.
- Snacks upon arrival in camp.
- VHF radios.
- Bottled drinking water and fruit juices.
- Experienced cooks, guides and porters.
- 2 Nights hotel in Moshi HB (B/A the climb) in either Park View Inn, Sal Salinero Hotel OR Panama Garden Resort depending on availability.
- Tips.
- Visas.
- Airline tickets.
- Airport transfers.
- Airport taxes.
- Laundry.
- Insurances.
- Items of a personal nature.
- Other beverages apart from fruit juices and mineral water given on the first day of the climb and boiled water given during the climb.
- Other equipments on the mountain. (other than tents, camping table and chairs). (Mountain gear)
Despite its popularity, it’s essential for climbers to prepare adequately, maintain proper fitness levels, and consider potential challenges related to altitude sickness. Climbers should follow the guidance of experienced guides and porters to ensure a safe and successful summit attempt.