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4x 4 Land cruiser
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Mid Range Hotels and Camps
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Arusha
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July , August , September, December; January , Februaty
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Kilimanjaro Climbing
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All meals
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English, Spanish, French, Chinese
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2-15
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12
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65
Visit
TARANGIRE NATIONAL PARK & NGORONGORO CRATER
Overview
The 5-day Marangu Route, often called the “Coca-Cola” route, is one of the oldest and most popular paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known for being the only route that offers accommodation in communal huts, providing a more comfortable experience than camping. While the gradual slope is often considered easier, the 5-day itinerary is a rapid ascent, which can make acclimatization more challenging and may result in a lower summit success rate compared to longer routes.
Highlights
- Accommodation in Huts: Unlike other routes that require camping, the Marangu route offers accommodation in communal mountain huts. This provides a more comfortable and sheltered experience, with bunk beds and shared dining areas, which is a significant advantage for those who prefer not to camp.
- Relatively Gentle Slope: The Marangu Route is known for its well-defined and gradual trail, making the initial ascent less physically demanding than some of the steeper routes. This is why it is often chosen by less experienced climbers.
- Diverse Habitats: The trek takes you through four distinct climate zones, starting in the lush Montane Forest, transitioning to the open Heathland and Alpine Desert, and culminating in the Arctic Summit zone. This rapid change in scenery provides a varied and memorable experience.
- "Coca-Cola" Route: The nickname reflects its popularity and the fact that it is a well-established and accessible path. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, and the presence of huts makes the logistics more straightforward.
- Direct and Fast Ascent: The 5-day itinerary is the quickest way to the summit. While this makes it attractive for those with limited time, it also serves as a crucial point to highlight the challenge of rapid altitude gain.
- Stunning Views: The route offers incredible views of Mount Kilimanjaro's two peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo, from the open moorland, as well as panoramic vistas of the plains below. The sunrise from the crater rim on summit day is a truly spectacular and unforgettable highlight.
Itinerary
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and
hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's eastern
entrance: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and
registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Mandara Hut (2,700
m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly
probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats. When you reach
the camp, our mountain support crew will take care of the necessities, pitch the tents, and prepare
lunch. Throughout the entire Marangu route, you will be spending your nights in special huts.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended that you heed the following
Instructions from this point on:
Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine
Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently)
Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take
Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated
with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of
potential allergies.
At night, you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude:
Because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during
the day. Taking altitude into account, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache.
Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude
sickness.
Early in the morning, after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second high altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcanoes at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.
Several hours after lunch you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut
with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut, where dinner will be prepared for you.
Note: The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the
acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Acclimatization hike:
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) — Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (3,920 m)
Hiking distance: 2.5 km
Hiking time: 1–2 hours
Today’s stage is long and tough. The trail passes the “last water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly plant less plateau links the summit of Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is Kibo Hut and it should be reached in about 5 to 6 hours. Tonight is an early night to get enough rest, for
you will be woken at approximately 23:00 hours.
Accommodation: Kibo Huts.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner.
Today is the “big day” – the summit stage. You will start in the middle of the night when the lava ash is still frozen and walking on it is easier. You will begin the long and strenuous trek to the summit in the dark. Passing the Hans Meyer cave at 5,200 m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you
will reach Gilman’s Point (5,715 m) on the crater rim. Soon you will have forgotten the cold of the night and after another 1 to 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m. Now you are standing on the “Roof of Africa”. The descent follows the same path and the lava ash will now have thawed and allows for a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can rest a while to regain your strength. After the 1 to 2 hour break, you will be on your way down to the Horombo Hut
(3,700 m) where you will arrive in the afternoon. After an evening meal, it is early to bed for most.
Accommodation: Horombo Huts.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch and Dinner.
The final hike of your wonderful 5 day Marangu route trekking begins after breakfast with a traditional farewell ceremony from the mountain crew. The moderate descend through the heather and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2,700 m) where a cooked lunch awaits you. Soon you will again be in the lush tropical rainforest and after about 6 hours of trekking, you will be back at the same Marangu route gate, 1,860 meter, where you will meet a transferring driver. At the gate, you will sign out and
obtain your Kilimanjaro certificate then you will drive to Arush,a where you will have a long and warm shower after a tiring mountain. The rest of the day is free to rest while enjoying your glass of wine, relax at the pool, or celebrate your achievement. Meal plan: Bed and Breakfast
Overnight at your choice of accommodation.
FAQs
While the Marangu Route is often called the “easiest” due to its gradual slope and hut accommodations, the 5-day itinerary is a very rapid ascent. This short duration can be more challenging for acclimatization, increasing the risk of altitude sickness and potentially making it harder to reach the summit. The 6-day Marangu itinerary, which includes an extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut, is generally considered to be a more manageable option with a higher success rate.
The summit success rate for the 5-day Marangu Route is significantly lower than for longer routes. It is generally cited as being between 50-60%. This is primarily due to the limited time for climbers to acclimatize to the high altitude.
The cost can vary widely depending on the tour operator, the size of your group, and what is included in the package. Prices can range from approximately $1,500 to over $2,000 per person. This cost typically includes park fees, hut fees, food, water, and the wages for your guide and porters. Additional costs to budget for include flights, travel insurance, personal gear, and tips for the trekking crew.
The most difficult part of the climb is undoubtedly summit night (Day 4). The ascent from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak is a long and strenuous trek in the dark, with a steep incline and challenging terrain of loose volcanic scree or snow. The extreme cold, lack of oxygen, and physical exhaustion make this leg of the journey both physically and mentally demanding.
The main difference is the addition of an extra acclimatization day. In the 6-day itinerary, you spend an extra night at Horombo Hut (Day 3), allowing your body more time to adjust to the altitude. This extra day significantly improves your chances of a successful summit, often raising the success rate by 10-15% or more.
