About Marangu Route
Marangu route is also called “Coca-cola route”, the only route up to where you sleep in the huts than tents. An advance booking of hut accommodation is required to avoid last minute inconvenience. The minimum number of days to complete this route is 5days, an optional day of acclimatization at Horombo Hut is highly recommended to increase your chances of success to the summit.
Day 1: Arrival
Regal African Safaris welcomes you to Tanzania to discover the wild and rugged country of superlatives! Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, you will be met and warmly greeted by Regal African Safaris’ representative who will take you to your place of stay in Moshi for Dinner and an Overnight.
Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (Elevation: 6’100ft – 8,860ft)
In the morning, after breakfast and a thorough briefing, we drive to Marangu Gate for Park formalities before we trek up. The climb starts from Marangu Gate. We walk through the lush lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro. Slowly gaining altitude while enjoying the diverse flora and fauna of the rain forest – At the upper edge of the forest line, you have the opportunity to see Blue or Sykes Monkeys. The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut at 8,860ft above sea level.
Hiking Time: 5hours, Distance: 8Kms, Habitat: Montane Rainforest
Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (Elevation: 8,860ft – 12,155ft)
From Mandara continue up through the upper rainforest zone and reach the Moorland Zone at 9845 ft. In this zone, plants grow to outrageous heights like the Giant Lobelia and Giant Groundsel (Senecio Kilimanjaro) that can reach up to 16 ft to make you enjoy the views of the semi-alpine zone’s plants and ravines. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in a distance, with the sightings of the majestic glacier in the morning sun. Arrive at Horombo Hut on a small plateau and get some rest for the next day’s adventure.
Hiking Time: 6hours, Distance: 11.6Kms, Habitat: Heath
Day 4: Horombo Hut – A Day of Acclimatization (Elevation: 12,155ft)
This extra day at Horombo is meant to give you additional acclimatization. A few hours hike to Mawenzi Hut at 13,120ft (3hours up and 1.5hours down) via Zebra Rock is strongly recommended. After lunch, you will have an afternoon at leisure to regain your strength for another day.
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (Elevation: 12,155ft – 15,520ft)
After breakfast ascends into Alpine desert habitat and pass the “Last Watering Point” at 13,550ft where you will have to refill your water bottles with all the water you will need for the next two nights, until you come back to Horombo Hut or you opt to buy mineral water at Kibo Hut). Kibo area is an Alpine barren desert with no water streams nearby, where you will spend the night – the night is always short, sleeping early is recommended.
Hiking Time: 6hours, Distance: 9.6Kms, Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
(Elevation: 15,520ft – 19340ft – 15,520ft)
Today is the “Big Day” – the final stage to the summit and you will begin to ascend at around midnight – this will be a long and strenuous day. The climb is slow but surely goes upward. At sunrise you will be at Gilman’s Point (18,640ft), the rim of Kilimanjaro where the sun starts to warm up the land and make you forget the cold of the night. After 1 – 2hours you will have reached at Uhuru Peak at 19,340ft, the highest point in Africa. Afterwards you will have 3hours descend back to Kibo Hut, take a break and collect all your gears you left behind on your ascent and walk down to Horombo Hut (3hours) for overnight. The return to Horombo seems surprisingly fast compared to ascent.
Hiking Time: 7 – 8hours, Distance: 5.5Kms, Habitat: Stone screes to Ice – cap (Ascent)
Hiking Time: 6 – 8hours (Uhuru to Horombo Hut), Distance: 15Kms (Descent)
Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate (15,520ft – 5,240ft)
A gentle trek takes you down through the montane forest to Marangu Gate, where you will complete Park formalities and receive Certificates, which you can hang up with pride! You are then met by our vehicles and return to the hotel in Arusha, where you can treat yourself to a welcome shower (and a cold beer or two!).
Hiking Time: 6hours, Distance: 19.7Kms, Habitat: Montane Forest
Price Per Person
| Number of Pax | Price Per person in US$ |
| 1Pax | 2,145 |
| 2Pax | 2,095 |
| 3 – 5Pax | 1,970 |
| 6 – 10Pax | 1,860 |
| 10Pax and more | 1,785 |
Inclusions
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All Accommodation as stated in the itinerary
- A Professional driver/guide
- All Transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- All Airport transfer
- All Meals
- Drinking water
- Camping Equipment
- Porterage
Exclusions
- International Flights (from/to home)
- Tips (Tipping Guideline US$20/Person per day)
- Personal Items (Souvenirs, Travel Insurance, Visa Fees, Alcohol…)
- Rescue Fee
- Climbing Gear – can be hired before the climb
- Sleeping Bag – can be hired before the climb