5 days Marangu route luxury kilimanjaro hiking

Marangu route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the South-East direction. Marangu covers forests, moorlands and high altitude desert will motivate hiker(s) and interest the team to hike along Marangu. Marangu route unfortunately has less beautiful natural scenery than the other routes because the ascent and descent trekking trips are along the same path. Marangu trekking route is also the most crowded route for the same explanation. Marangu route trekking minimum days is five days though you can climb more than five days trekking through Marangu route is so interesting and beautiful for adventures.

Marangu route also known as the "Coca-Cola" route, Marangu is the oldest most well-known route on Kilimanjaro trekking trips. Adventure along the Marangu route will get you to the top safety and this is the only path which offers overnight sleeping huts in the style of dormitory accommodations instead of camping equal to machame, umbwe, rongai and lemosho route. There are almost total of 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut on Marangu route.

Tourists who choose to hike Mount Kilimanjaro through Marangu route, are supplied with pillows and mattresses, but sleeping bags are still essential for the hiker(s). The huts have collective dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut Many prefer to hike Marangu route because it is considered to be a plain sail path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and almost direct path. However, the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly a challenge.

Day one (1): Kilimanjaro National Park Gate to Mandara Hut

 • Rising: 5,500ft / 1,700m to 9,000ft / 2,740m

 • Stretch: 7 km

 • Hike time: 4-5 hours

 • Climatic habitat: Montane Forest

 • Meals: L, D

 • Shelter: Mandara Hut

After having breakfast and consultation, a driver from Africa Natural Safaris will drive you to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), hiker(s) will be required to register and begin the hiking. Hiker(s) will walk through the rainforest to the Mandara camping area. A side trip to Maundi Crater is an excellent means to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for rising Eucalyptus trees Colobus monkeys and bird life which is attractive and beautiful.

Day two (2): Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

 • Rising: 9,000ft / 2,700m to 12,100ft / 3,700m

 • Stretch: 11 km

 • Hike time: 6-8 hours

 • Climatic habitat: Heathland/ Moorland

 • Meals: B, L, D

 • Shelter: Horombo Hut

Hiker(s) will leave the openings of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open hills to the Horombo camping area. Visibility of the summit of Kibo and Mawenzi are awesome. Look for groundsels and giant lobelias. Hiker(s) may arise to feel the effects of the gaining of altitude.

Day three (3): Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

 • Rising: 12,100ft / 3,700m to 15,400ft / 4,700m

 • Stretch: 10 km

 • Hike time: 6-8 hours

 • Climatic habitat: Alpine Desert

 • Meals: B, L, D

 • Shelter: Kibo Hut Climbing up on Marangu route

We now pass the last watering point walking into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation arises with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Hiker(s) eat relaxation and prepare for summit climb.

Day four (4): Kibo Hut to Summit then Horombo Hut

 • Rising: 15,400ft / 4,700m to 19,300ft / 5,895 m 19,300ft / 5,895m to 12,100ft / 3,700m

 • Stretch: 4 km up / 14 km down

 • Hike time: 10-15 hours

 • Climatichabitat: Alpine Desert

 • Meals: B, L, D

 • Shelter: Horombo Camp

Very early in the morning (from midnight to 2am) hiker(s) commence the hiking to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater flange. Continuing on, we now hike and ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are awesome and unbelievable views at every turn. Hikers 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 camping ground. The starting of this climb to the summit is done in the dark and involves headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers and jackets. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Hike(s) are best informed going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you at the top of Mount Kilimanjaro the highest point in Africa.

Day five (5): Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi

 • Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp

 • Elevation: 3690m/12,100ft to 1830m/6000ft

 • Stretch: 18km

 • Hike time: 6-7hrs

 • Climatic habitat: Rain forest

A long trek is in store for today, however it is mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate hiker(s) pick up our certificate that shows our success and the driver from Africa Natural Safaris will pick you up to the hotel.