On Marangu Route you will be following the track of the oldest and most established route of them all on Mount Kilimanjaro. As being the most established route, this route is also the only route where permanent huts are established offering climbers to sleep in dormitories instead of dome tents. These huts have dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at the hut close to the summit. The availability of huts make this route a good option during the rainy season.
The Marangu Route is also known as the “Coca-Cola” route and is one of the most popular routes. Also considered to be the easiest path to climb Mount Kilimanjaro given its direct path and gradual slope. Unlike the other routes the ascending and descending route are the same when following the path of Marangu Route. Routes ascending via the Rongai route also uses the Marangu Route for descending.
The Marangu Route takes a minimum of 5 days to complete however some prefer to take the 6 days option for better acclimatization.
Mega Adventures also offers one day hike on the Marangu route, designed for those who wish to explore the magical beauty of Mount Kilimanjaro. The day hike can be done with people of different ages and level of fitness including children.
Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut – Marangu Gate
After breakfast depart at 7.30am with your guide to Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu route entrance gate. After clearing out with the permits embark into the hiking trail that leads into the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro. Arrive Mandara hut in time for lunch, enjoy your packed lunch and opt for an additional 1 hour round trip hike to Maundi crater where you may be lucky to witness the peak of Mt Kilimanjaro on a clear day. Later on descend down to Mandara Hut and further back to Marangu gate. Your driver will transfer you back to your accommodation in Moshi approximately 1.5 hour drive from Marangu gate.
8 km Ascent | 8 km Descent
1,843 m – 2,700 m – 1,843 m
4-5 hrs Ascent | 2-3 hrs Descent
Rain forest
Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut
In the morning depart for Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu route entrance gate. At the park entrance your guide will work out on the climbing permit and authorities will weigh the porter’s luggage, whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porters weight check and early lunch we will embark into the hiking trail that leads us through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival at Mandara Hut our mountain crew will take care of the necessities while you enjoy your evening, dinner will be served in time and you will be ready for a well-earned sleep.
8 km
1,843 m – 2,700 m
4–5 hrs
Rain forest
Day 2: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut
After breakfast depart for Horombo Hut. A long day lies ahead with a moderate trek for 11 km, first trekking through the forest which soon will open up into moorland. Upon arrival at Horombo Hut you may be lucky to witness a clear view of the Uhuru and Mawenzi peaks.
11 km
2,700 m – 3,720 m
6–8 hrs
Heather | Moorland
Day 3: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut
Depart for Kibo Hut after breakfast. On this day the trek is not very difficult, though given the altitude it is important to keep an appropriate pace to keep your strength as the trek to the summit will follow at mid night. Upon arrival at Kibo Hut you will rest while our chef prepares an early dinner. Prepare and retire to bed early ready for the quest to the summit around mid-night.
9 km
3,720 m – 4,703 m
6–7 hrs
Alpine desert
Day 4: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
At an early start around 01:00 hours begin the steep and altitude challenging climb to the great summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our trained team will make sure to measure your oxygen level throughout the trek and help you reach the ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak. After successfully reaching “the rooftop of Africa”, enjoy the view before descending back to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening we enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
6 km Ascent | 15 km Descent
4,703 m – 5,895 m – 3,720 m
6-8 hrs Ascent | 6-8 hrs Descent
Arctic | Alpine Desert
Day 5: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
After breakfast depart for Marangu gate. The longest trek of this mountain challenge lies ahead though the trek is mostly downhill making this day challenging physically but not altitude wise. The trek will be 19 km through the rain forest for approximately 5-7 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate we will collect our summit certificate, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
19 km
3,720 m – 1,843 m
5–7 hrs
Moorland | Rainforest
After breakfast depart for Londrossi gate approximately 3 hrs drive, upon arrival your guide will work out on the climbing permit and authorities will weigh the porter’s luggage, whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porters weight check and lunch we will drive to the Lemosho starting trail ahead and embark into the hiking trail that winds up through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro to Big tree camp. Our team will take care of the necessities and a warm dinner will served by our chef. Your guide will brief you about the day ahead before you retire to your tents for overnight.
6 km
2,250 m – 3,780 m
3–4 hrs
Rain forest
Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut
In the morning depart for Mount Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu route entrance gate. At the park entrance your guide will work out on the climbing permit and authorities will weigh the porter’s luggage, whilst our chef prepares an early lunch for you, you’ll be able to explore this beautiful starting point. Immediately after clearing with the permits, porters weight check and early lunch we will embark into the hiking trail that leads us through the beautiful rain forest of Mount Kilimanjaro. Upon arrival at Mandara Hut our mountain crew will take care of the necessities while you enjoy your evening, dinner will be served in time and you will be ready for a well-earned sleep.
8 km
1,843 m – 2,700 m
4–5 hrs
Rain forest
Day 2: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut
After breakfast depart for Horombo Hut. A long day lies ahead with a moderate trek for 12 km, first trekking through the forest which soon will open up into moorland. Upon arrival at Horombo Hut you may be lucky to witness a clear view of the Kibo and Uhuru peaks.
11 km
2,700 m – 3,720 m
6–8 hrs
Heather | Moorland
Day 3: Horombo Hut – Mawenzi Ridge – Horombo Hut
This day aims to be an acclimatization day preparing for the summit day. On this acclimatization day you will do a short trek to Mawenzi Ridge and back to Horombo Hut.
5 km Ascent | 5 km Descent
3,720 m – 4,389 m – 3,720 m
2-3 hrs | 1-2 hrs Descent
Moorland
Day 4: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut
Depart for Kibo Hut after breakfast. On this day the trek is not very difficult, though given the altitude it is important to keep an appropriate pace to keep your strength as the trek to the summit will follow at mid night. Upon arrival at Kibo Hut you will rest while our chef prepares an early dinner. Prepare and retire to bed early ready for the quest to the summit around mid-night.
9 km
3,720 m – 4,703 m
6–7 hrs
Alpine Desert
Day 5: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
At an early start around 01:00 hours begin the steep and altitude challenging climb to the great summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Our trained team will make sure to measure your oxygen level throughout the trek and help you reach the ultimate goal, Uhuru Peak. After successfully reaching “the rooftop of Africa”, enjoy the view before descending back to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening we enjoy our last evening on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
6 km Ascent | 15 km Descent
3,703 m – 5,895 m – 3,720 m
6-8 hrs Ascent | 6-8 hrs Descent
Arctic | Alpine desert
Day 6: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
After breakfast depart for Marangu gate. The longest trek of this mountain challenge lies ahead though the trek is mostly downhill making this day challenging physically but not altitude wise. The trek will be 19 km through the rain forest for approximately 5-7 hours.
Upon arrival at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate we will collect our summit certificate, celebrate and our team will be ready to transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
19 km
3,720 m – 1,843 m
5–7 hrs
Moorland | Rain forest
Inclusive Of:
- Transfers to and from the accommodation in Moshi to start and exit gate.
- Park fees, camping fees, rescue fees for non-resident adults (please request reduced rate for kids below 15 years)
- Guides, porters and chefs.
- Three meals a day on the climb.
- Full camping facilities, including mattress and sleeping bags, except for personal gear (available for rental at our office)
- Oxygen tank, frequent oxygen and pulse checks during the climb.
- Taxes.
- Airport transfers
- Pre-briefing & equipment check one day prior to the climb at the guest’s hotel/hostel in Moshi.
- Free city tour (walking) on the free day prior to the climb.
Exclusive Of:
- Accommodation before and after the climb (can be organized).
- Tips to crew (request for recommended tipping rates).
- Travel insurance.
- All items of personal nature.
- Beverages and laundry except where shown.
- Personal mountain climber gear (available for hire).
Do you have any queries or wish to tailor this tour? Please click here to contact us.
| 1 Day hike, Marangu Route | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX |
| Price pr. Person | $264 | $193 | $174 |
| 5 Days, Marangu Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7+ PAX |
| Price pr. person | $1,981 | $1,678 | $1,463 | $1,428 |
| 6 Days, Marangu Route | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2-3 PAX | 4-6 PAX | 7+ PAX |
| Price pr. person | $2,289 | $1,950 | $1,711 | $1,671 |
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