THE COCACOLA From $1999
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.
Day 1: Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park, Marangu Gate; Hike to Mandara Hut
- Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Meals: LD
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), 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.
Day 2: Hike Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 2700m/8875ft 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 12km/7.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Headland
- Meals: BLD
You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. The 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.
DAY 3: HOROMBO HUT (3720M): ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
At Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimate to high altitude. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Zebra Rock (4010 m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut, depending on your preference for the day.
Day 4: Hike Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft 4700m/15,500ft
- Distance: 9km/5.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi Vegetation begins with upper headland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.
Day 5: Hike Kibo Hut to Summit and down to Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
- Down to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 6 km/4 mi up, 15 km/9 mi down
- Hiking Time: 6–8 hours up 15km/9mi down
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Meals: BLD
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!
Day 6: Hike Horombo Hut to trail head, drive to Moshi
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft 1700m/5500ft
- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals: B
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through 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 be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
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