8 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro expedition – Marangu route in 5 days!
Marangu route, nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” route, is the second most popular route and the cheapest one to reach the top of the Kilimanjaro. It is the only route that uses the same trail to ascend and descend and offers sleeping huts in dormitory style (camping is not allowed). This route is the shortest Kilimanjaro route, yet very challenging since it gives climbers less time to acclimatize. If you want to increase the chance of reaching the summit successfully, we recommend you take and extra day to adjust (between day 3 and 4).
During your climb, a professional team of guides, porters and cooks will assist you. Zebra-Safaris have selected the best guides with the highest safety record and client success rate. To secure your safety, they check your pulse and oxygen saturation each day.
After your booking is confirmed, we will send you a comprehensive Kilimanjaro Packing List.
For an overview of all the routes check: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Kilimanjaro_climbing_routes
Day 1: Arrival Kilimanjaro – Moshi
After your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our driver will transfer you to the hotel of your choice. Settle into your accommodation, take time to relax and to get used to the African atmosphere. It is possible to book an extra rest day (day 2), to recharge yourself and get ready to start your climb the next day (day 3). This extra day increases the chances of reaching the summit.
Accommodations:
Categorie A: Kilemakyaro Mountain Lodge
Categorie B: House of West Kili – http://houseofwestkili.com/
Categorie C: Weru Weru River Lodge – http://www.weruweruriverlodge.com/
Note: we recommend the above-mentioned accommodations, from Basic to Luxury.
Just let us know; we can book any hotel in Moshi for you.
Day 2: Maranga Gate (1,830 m/ 6,000 ft) – Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft)
Elevation gain: 870 meters / 2,854 feet
This morning your guide will pick you up at your hotel in Moshi and drive to the Marangu gate where your trek starts. The trail begins at the foot of the mountain, ascending through a tropical rain forest. If you are lucky you can even spot the rare black-and-white colobus monkeys. Climb at your own pace and enjoy the forest and hillsides until you reach the Mandara Huts after 4-5 hours. Relax at the camp or you can go on excursions to see the volcanic Maudi Crater nearby the camp.
Day 3: Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)
Elevation gain: 1020 meters / 3,346 feet
Today the climb continues from Mandara Huts through forest, where the vegetation grows up to 5 m high. The trail then leads onto moorland. The flora and fauna become less and less as you climb higher on the moorland zone. You will experience that the air is thinner as there is less oxygen available. On a clear day the views of Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s highest peak, are beautiful. It is also possible to see Kilimanjaro’s second peak Mawenzi, later this day. You arrive after a 4-6 hours trek in the afternoon at Horombo Huts, where you can relax and have dinner.
Day 4: Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft) – Kibo Camp (4,700 m/ 15,419 ft)
Elevation gain: 980 meters / 3,215 feet
After breakfast, you gradually climb towards the beautiful lunar desert. Your trek ascends onto the ‘saddle’ of Kilimanjaro, between its peaks Kibo and Mawenzi. The vegetation thins out as you enter the alpine zone. After a 6-7 hours walk you arrive at Kibo Camp for lunch, which is located at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Spend the rest of the day relaxing, preparing for the final ascent to the summit the next day. Be sure to drink enough water during the day and walk at a slow pace.
Day 5: Kibo Camp (4,700 m/ 15,419 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/ 19,340 ft) – Hurombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)
Elevation gain: 1,195 meters / 3,920 feet
Elevation loss: 2,175 meters / 7,135 feet
Conquer the roof of Africa today! Around midnight, the most challenging part of the trek starts. It is dark, cold and the trail to Gilman’s Point (rim of the main crater) is steep. Ascend in the darkness for a couple of hours while taking short breaks. At Gilman’s Point you can enjoy the most beautiful sunrise over Mawenzi. From Gilman’s Point, it is another 2-3 hours climb to Uhuru Peak, the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro. Celebrate your accomplishment at the summit while looking out onto an incredible vast landscape of white snow and towering peaks. From the summit you descend all the way to Horombo Hut where you have your last dinner and spend your last night on the mountain. Enjoy a well-earned sleep after a challenging and very long day (about 14 hours).
Day 6-7: Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,139 ft) – Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,003 ft)
Elevation loss: 1,890 meters / 6,200 feet
Today’s descent leads your through tropical forest to Marangu gate. After 5-6 hours you arrive at the foot of the mountain, where you will be given your summit certificate. Your driver brings you back to your hotel in Moshi for dinner and an overnight stay. You can relax for the rest of the day and review the exciting experience of your summit ascent!
Day 7-8: Moshi – Airport
Today you can relax at the lodge or explore the surrounding area. You can choose to extend your journey with a beautiful Tanzania Safari. Another option is to unwind on the tropical Zanzibar Island or one of the other exotic beach destinations Pemba Island and Mafia Island. If you choose to fly home after your Kilimanjaro trek, you will arrive back home on day 8.
How fit do you need to be to climb Mount Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route?
Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day, you will walk 6-7 hours. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances of reaching the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek. It’s important you take your time. Do not hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also, running, and aerobic exercise are a good preparation. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. What you can do to prevent altitude sickness is to take an extra day to adjust (between day 3 and day 4). If you stay an extra day in the Horombo Hut you give your body more time to acclimatize. This will increase the chance of reaching the summit successfully. The price for an extra day is $ 430 per person.
If you would like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us .
want to relax?
After all the hard work, enjoy a few days at the beach!