5 Days Marangu Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing
5 Days Marangu Route Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing
Marangu Route 5 Days Kilimanjaro climbing – the Marangu route – also “Coca-Cola” – is the most popular amongst Kilimanjaro climbers. It is unique in that it provides extra comfort with its permanent huts. Fabulous vistas of Kilimanjaro’s Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are an added advantage of the Coca-Cola Route! Marangu Route offers 5 and 6-day itineraries, the 5 days being best for experienced trekkers. This route is usually done in 5 days but can be done in 6 days for better acclimatization. The extra day can be spent resting at Horombo or climbing the small peak of Mawenzi.
Detailed Itinerary
Welcome to Tanzania: Meet and greet at arrival point(usually at Kilimanjaro International Airport ,JRO) by our transfer and representative driver from Nduwa Tours who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Arusha town. You will meet our representative who will show up at the Airport with a sign board with your name and a warm smile on his/her face when welcoming you to Tanzania. After checking in at the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day’s 9 Days Lemosho Route without Crater Camping then your mountain guide will check/inspect your climbing gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Arusha.
Accommodation: Mid-Range Hotel in Arusha on Bed & Breakfast Basis
We depart Arusha for Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The hiking trail begins by ascending a beautiful, tropical rain forest. At the upper edge of the forest line, we have the opportunity to see blue monkeys. The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.
- Meal Plan: LD Budget
- Elevation : 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
- Distance : 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time : 3-4 hours
- Habitat : Montane Forest
We start the day of Marangu Route 5 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climb by continuing through the forest until the trail opens into high moorland. We may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks – two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Elevation : (ft):8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
- Distance : 12km/7.5mi
- Walking Time : 6-8 hours
- Habitat : Heathland
We climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp, Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once here we rest, enjoy an early dinner to prepare for the summit day.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
- Distance: 10 km/6 miles
- Hiking Time:6-8 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Very early in the morning (around midnight), we begin our push to the summit. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent, but short, breaks. At Gilman’s point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you are ever likely to see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak- the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
- Meal Plan: Full Board
- Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
- Distance: 6 km/4 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Habitat: Arctic
Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
- Elevation (ft): 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
- Distance: 16 km/10 miles
- Hiking Time:4-5 hours
- Habitat: Heath
On our last day, we have a long trek mostly downhill through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Arusha.
- Meal Plan: Breakfast
- Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
- Distance: 20 km/12 miles
- Hiking Time:5-7 hours
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Accommodation: Mid-Range Hotel in Arusha on Bed & Breakfast Basis.
The day is left free to wind down after the trek before your flight home. Depending on flight times you could go and explore Arusha town and grab some souvenirs before heading to the airport.
Price includes:
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Arusha hotel
- Airport Transfer x2 (On Arrival & on Departure)
- Accommodation before and after Mountain Climbing
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides, potters & cooks
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- All meals while on the Mountain ( Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking bottled water
- Conservation fees
- Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Climbing Certificate after reaching the summit
Price include
- Tanzania Visa
- Tips and gratuities (Guides, Potter & Cooks)
- Travel insurance
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Safari after Climbing
Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Frequently Asked Questions
Kilimanjaro is climbable all year round. The best months to clim, however, are July to October and December to February, as these are the warmest and driest months respectively.
July, August and September tend to be the busiest months on the mountain.
This is an outdoor adventure trip in the African wild. There are no showers on the mountain. Warm water will be supplied in a bowl and you will be able to wash your face and hands. For the rest you can bring wet wipes.
At each campsite, we set up a private toilet tent which contains a plastic toilet. There are also simple, hole-in-the-ground public toilets (usually very dirty and not recommended).
If you need to use the bathroom on the trail, you’ll find a spot behind a tree or rock. But you’ll need to have a little baggie for putting used toilet paper in that you then carry to camp and dispose of in a bin.
Due to the great elevation gain on a Kilimanjaro climb, you will experience all kinds of weather, from 30° C (86° F) on the plains surrounding Kilimanjaro all the way down to -7 to -29° C (20° to -20° F) at the summit. So ensure you are prepared and bring the right clothing! You can learn more in Mount Kilimanjaro climate.
On the day before the Climb (arrival day) and the day after the climb (departure day), we stay in a comfortable lodge in Arusha or Moshi. It has lovely views as well as lovely rooms and facilities to match.
For the climbers who prefer Huts accommodation than camping then the Marangu route is perfect choice,the Marangu Route has three cabin lodging: Mandara Huts, Kibo Huts, and Horombo Hut. These cottage housings give cots. There are 60 bunks beds each at Mandara, Kibo.Also 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.
During the climb on other routes , you sleep in three-person, four-season dome-style mountain tents, two people per tent or a tent of your own, you’ll need to pay a single-person supplement.
Our tents are modern and have an outer flysheet and large vestibules where you can store your equipment during the night.
Don’t underestimate how tough Kilimanjaro is. Too many people do, and don’t make it to the top!
Depending on your current fitness, we suggest that you start your physical training at least two or three months prior to the climb. Please ask our expert to give you a guide on how should you train for Kilimanjaro? to learn more.
Remember, the fitter you are, the more enjoyable the whole experience will be for you.
We can measure each day in walking hours rather than kilometers. Most days, other than the summit day, will begin with breakfast around 6:30 AM and departure at 7 AM. You will walk four to five hours with a break for lunch followed by another hour or two of hiking in the afternoon. These days are not long or difficult and you will be advised to walk slowly.
We always have a first aid kit with us and guides are well trained on first aid. Serious injuries are very rare and Kilimanjaro National Park has a rescue team in case of emergency.
