5 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Hiking With Africa Natural Tours Co. L.T.D

2. Marangu ("Coca Cola") Route

Known as the "Coca-Cola" route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations. The minimum days required for this route is five. Marangu is mostly favored during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred over wet ground Known as the "Coca-Cola" route, the Marangu route approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path.

Itinerary

Day 1: Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut.

Stop At: Marangu Falls, Marangu Tanzania
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut.

Take a short drive from Moshi town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m.) lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m.). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby, and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich birdlife at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. [3-5 hours walking to Mandara Hut]

Distance covered: 8.3km / 5.2m

Approx. time taken: 5 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 3 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Mandara hut

Day 2: Day 2:Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Stop At: Horombo Huts, Tanzania
Day 2:Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m.). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning, the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds. [4-6 hours walking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut]

Distance covered: 12.5km / 7.8m

Approx. time taken: 9 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 9 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Horombo hut

Day 3: Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Stop At: Kibo Tower, Boma Road Rindi Lane, Moshi 255 Tanzania
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

We climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to screed and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday and the afternoon is free (to contemplate the summit ascent!!). The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut]

Distance covered: 9.5km / 5.9mi

Approx. time taken: 7 hours

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included

Duration: 7 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Kibo hut

Day 4: Day 4: Summit Day then down to Horombo Hut

Stop At: Horombo Huts, Tanzania
Day 4: Summit Day then down to Horombo Hut

We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up at Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over loose volcanic screen, but there are some well-graded zigzag and a slow but steady pace will have us up to Gillman’s (5,685 m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.) passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast and we return to Horombo Hut for the night. [11-15 hours walking from Kibo Hut to Gillman’s Point]

Distance covered: 22km / 13.7mi

Approx. time taken: 12 – 15 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included
Accommodation included: Overnight at Horombo hut

Day 5: Day 5: Horombo Hut – Moshi

Stop At: Mount Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro National Park 40000 Tanzania
Day 5: Horombo Hut – Moshi

After breakfast, we will start with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates to Moshi town.

Distance covered: 20.8km / 12.9m

Approx. time taken: 8 hours

Meals: Breakfast & Lunch Included

Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast: Breakfast & Lunch Included
No accommodation included on this day.