Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 5 Days

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  • Duration: 5 Days
  • Max Travelers: 20
  • Trip Type: Hiking Tour
  • Availability: Jan - Dec

Tour Overview

The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well-established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations in lieu of camping. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal 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 Kibo Hut. Many favour Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. However, the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason.

Tour Highlights

  • Departure and Return Place: Moshi Town to Marangu Gate and then back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Maps)
  • Departure Time: Please be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 8:30 AM.
  • Return Time: Approximately 10:30 AM on the last day.
  • Dress Code: Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, and spare clothing.
  • Accommodation: Two nights of accommodations based on Bed and Breakfast at 3 stars hotel (upgrades on request).
  • Customizations: Can be customized upon request, to meet traveler’s needs
  • Extensions: Trip Extensions are available on request.
  • Trip Availability: All year round.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrival in Tanzania and Transfer to the Hotel

You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to the Kilimanjaro White House Hotel Bed and Breakfast in Moshi town; you will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. The missing gear can be rented on this day.

Day 2 Kilimanjaro National Park Gate to Mandara Hut

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register, and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.

Elevation: 5,500 ft / 1,700 m to 9,000 ft / 2,740 m

Distance: 7 km

Time: 4-5 hours

Climatic Zone: Montane Forest

Meals: L, D

Hut: Mandara Hut

Day 3 Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Elevation: 9,000 ft / 2,700 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m

Distance: 11 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Climatic Zone: Heathland/ Moorland

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Horombo Hut

Day 4 Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with the upper heathland but then disappears into a “moonscape”. Dinner, rest and prepare for the summit climb.

Elevation: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 15,400 ft / 4,700 m

Distance: 10 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Kibo Hut

 

Day 5 Kibo Hut to Summit then Horombo Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down

Time: 10-15 hours

Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Horombo Camp

 

Day 6Horombo Hut to Moshi – Airport

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through the lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration! Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.

Elevation: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 5,500 ft / 1,700 m

Distance: 18km

Time: 5-7 hours

 

Pricing
Number of Travelers Cost Per Traveler in US($)
1 Person $1,700
2 People $1,680
3 People $1,660
4 People $1,650
5 People $1,630
6 People $1,610
7 People $1,600
8 and above $1,590

Price Includes

  • Hut fees
  • Rescue fees
  • 18% VAT on tour fees & and services which cost nearly 55% of the total cost charged.
  • Transportation to & and from the mountain gate
  • Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
  • 3 meals daily while on the mountain
  • Filtered water throughout the trek
  • Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
  • Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport.
  • Pre-trek accommodations at the hotel, 1 night at a hotel in Moshi town with bed & breakfast (BB) Meal plan.

Price Excludes

  • Both National and International flights
  • Medical insurance
  • Visa cost which is $50 except for Canadian and USA passport holders which is 100$
  • Tips to mountain crew
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Laundry Services
  • A doctor for the group
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra ($150 per toilet + toilet tent)
Map

Kilimanjaro Lemosho Route Trail Map

FAQs

When is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

Mount Kilimanjaro can be climbed anytime throughout the year. Most travelers prefer climbing during the dry seasons: December to March, June to October. Many consider the best months to climb Kilimanjaro to be January, February, and September.

Do you offer private and fully customizable climbs?

Your Kilimanjaro dream climb is entirely your own to design. We will work with you to customize exactly the triumphant Tanzanian mountainous quest experience you want. You go with the people you choose. You leave on whatever day you wish. You decide on your preferred route option, pace, and the number of days you will take.

Do I need to apply visa?

You will need a Single entry visa to enter Tanzania. It costs 100$ for US citizens and 50$ for other nationalities. There are 3 ways to apply it.
1. Apply it online from this link – Official link to apply your visa
2. Get a visa on arrival if you are eligible – Read Eligibility Guidelines
3. Apply through Tanzanian Embassy in your home Country

Do I need travel insurance?

Climbers are strongly advised to obtain travel insurance immediately after booking their trip.

How many hours will I trek each day?

On most routes, you’ll trek 4-7 hours most days. On certain routes you’ll trek as many as 10-15 hours on the longest days.

Who are your operators in Tanzania?

We are. We are not agents for anybody, but run the treks ourselves through our own registered Tanzanian local company.

What is the maximum number of people on the trek?

The maximum number of people on the trek is eight. Occasionally this may stretch to nine or ten if, for example, there are already 6 people booked on the trek and a group of four want to join. On the rare occasion where this happens we will contact those already booked on the trek to see if they have any objection to the group size to grow above eight.

Is there a minimum number of people on the trek?

We can book a trek for just one person but, as stated above, this will be quite expensive. If you are a solo traveler, therefore, we strongly advise you to join one of the scheduled treks.

What currencies do you accept as payment?

As we are charged in US dollars, so all our prices are quoted in US dollars too. However, we are able to accept a wide range of other currencies too including sterling, euros, Canadian dollars, Australian dollars, Israeli shekels, Singapore dollars, Indian rupees etc etc

How many days before the start of the climb should I arrive in Tanzania?

We advise you to spend at least one full day in Tanzania before beginning your trek. Arriving by plane one day and then climbing the next is not the best way to begin a trek.

What are the safety/rescue procedures on Kilimanjaro?

The guides have been trained in high-altitude medical care. Each trek will also be equipped with a comprehensive first-aid medical kit. The guides also carry oxygen for those people who are suffering from altitude sickness – though this is very much a last resort and the guides are trained to spot altitude sickness before it becomes necessary to use oxygen.

What are the safety/rescue procedures on Kilimanjaro?

The guides have been trained in high-altitude medical care. Each trek will also be equipped with a comprehensive first-aid medical kit. The guides also carry oxygen for those people who are suffering from altitude sickness – though this is very much a last resort and the guides are trained to spot altitude sickness before it becomes necessary to use oxygen.

Are park fees included in your price?

Yes, all Tanzania National Park (TANAPA) fees are included in our Kilimanjaro price. Currently, the conservation fees at Kilimanjaro National Park are: US$70 per person per day and US$50 per person per night for camping. Crew entry fees and Tanzanian Forest Services Agency (TFS) fees (applicable for Rongai, Shira and Lemosho routes) are also included in our Kilimanjaro price.

Can children climb Kilimanjaro?

The minimum age limit set by Kilimanjaro National Park for children trekking to Uhuru Peak on Mount Kilimanjaro is 10 years old.

How many guides will we have?

You will have one lead guide and an assistant guide for 2-3 climbers.
For 4-6 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 2 assistant guides.
For 7-8 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 3 assistant guides.
For 9-10 climbers, you will have one lead guide and 4 assistant guides.

What if I am slow?

We never rush our trek, instead, we like to take in the views and enjoy the experience. Some trekkers may be slower than others, but with our client-to-guide ratio, we are able to support everyone along the way. Our mantra, “pole pole” (Swahili for “slowly slowly”), reminds us to take our time and ensure that all of our trekkers have the opportunity to enjoy the experience fully.

Are there discounts for groups?

We can offer a discount for more than 2 people, please enquire at the time of booking.

What kind of food will I eat?

Highly-trained chefs prepare three hot nutritious meals daily, as well as trail snacks and afternoon tea each day. You’ll eat all your meals in a solar-lit dining tent with your fellow trekkers and head guide. Delicious vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and other specialty meals can be provided (with advance request). We’re happy to send you a sample menu—just ask!

What are the Kilimanjaro accommodations like?

Your mountain camps are set up and broken down each day by expert camp porters. You’ll stay in double occupancy all-weather tents with full-ground pads to keep you and your gear dry. Private toilet tents, solar-lit dining tents with tables and chairs, and basins of hot water for washing are provided in every camp. Grand Traverse treks include upgraded solar-lit walk-in-height sleeping tents with mountaineering beds and mattresses for additional comfort.

How long are the treks?

The treks vary from six to eight days. The exact length of each trek is written on the Trekking dates and prices page. You can, of course, ask for treks that are longer than eight days and we can arrange this for you – though we don’t book treks for less than 6 days as we feel this is too short to allow you to acclimatize properly.

How do I cope with change of altitude?

Always remember to maintain a slow, steady pace from beginning to end. Going slowly allows the body to acclimatize while hiking. Those who start out too quickly will have troubles higher up the mountain as the body will be overexerted. This still holds true if you are spending an extra day on the mountain.

How long does it take to reach the summit?

It will depend on the route you pick and your pace. It can take from 4-8 hours to reach the summit from the high camp.

What is the deposit amount to hold my space?

A 15% deposit is required at time of booking to hold your Kilimanjaro climb and 30% for your Tanzania safari.

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