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The Marangu Route is also known as the "Coca
Cola" or "tourist" route. It is the easiest and shortest route
to the summit. This is also the only route with the comforts of
sleeping huts at every camp site with solar lights and
comfortable beds. The huts are communal, and the bunks have a
sponge mattress and pillow. There are 60 beds at both Mandara
and Kibo Huts and 120 beds at Horombo Hut. Bathrooms and running
water are available at the two lower huts. Mens' and ladies'
latrines are available at the last camp but are very basic
Day 1: Arrive in Moshi or Arusha. Evening
briefing and packing of mountain gear.
Day 2: After breakfast transfer to Marangu
gate (1km-1850m) where your hike starts after an introduction to
your crew. The day’s hike takes 3-4 hours through the natural
forest to the Mandara Hut at 2774m. If you have sufficient time
and energy, you can visit the Maundi Crater close by.
Day 3: Today’s hike takes 6-7 hours covering
a total of 15km and leads you soon out of the shadows of the
natural forest to grassland where you can first view the
sprawling plains below. After a lunch break at “Kimangi Marangu”
once an important rainmaking site, your walk takes you to
Horombo Hut at 3550m surrounded by giant lobelia and groundsels.
Day 4: You leave Horombo Hut after breakfast
for a hard day’s hike of 13km through the alpine dessert leaving
the moorland behind at the last water point. The hike ends at
the Kibo hut, which is at 4750m. Here you’ll have a chance to
rest and enjoy the view over the saddle to the majestic Mawenzi
before you retire for the night prior to the summit ascent.
Day 5: After a short night and a hot drink,
the final ascend starts at about midnight. The path gets
gradually steeper finally taking you to the Gilman’s point
(5685m) from where you can watch sunrise and the magnificent ice
fields. After a short break, you then proceed along the crater
rim to the uhuru peak 5895m reaching there at about 9.00am.
After your summit photo, you then descend to Kibo hut for lunch
before dropping to Horombo Hut.
Day 6: Covering the last section of the
mountain, the trek continues down through the forests to Marangu
gate where you will be awarded your certificate before
proceeding to the Hotel for a hot shower, dinner and overnight.
Day 7: Transfer to Kilimanjaro airport for
departure. Tailor made safari options after your climb can be
organized for interested parties.
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