Conquer the highest peak in Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, on the classic Marangu Route. This 6-day trek offers an incredible journey through Kilimanjaro’s diverse landscapes, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts, culminating in a thrilling summit to Uhuru Peak. Known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” the Marangu path is the only Kilimanjaro route that provides hut accommodation, making it a comfortable choice for climbers seeking a challenging yet less rugged experience.
Highlights
- Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa Stay in huts along the trail with solar lighting and basic amenities Trek through five unique climatic zones: rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and arctic Accompanied by experienced guides and porters for support No technical climbing skills required, but fitness and determination are key
Your Kilimanjaro climb adventure start after arriving at Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will be met by a representative from Mountain Lion and Safaris, and you be transferred to your hotel in Arusha where you will spend the night.
Today, you will be collected from your hotel in Arusha and transferred to Marangu gate, the starting point for your 6 days Marangu route hike.The entrance gate is situated on the eastern side of the National park. You have to sign in at the gate before you start your hike, and you will be joined by rest of your Kilimanjaro crew at the Marangu gate. At the first day of your Kilimanjaro trek, you will be hiking through the rainforest belt that is found around the park.
You will be provided with packed lunch at the gate by your cook. The first day hike will be approximately 5 hours. After arriving and settling at your first hut, it is good idea to go for a short hike. You will find a good look-out point at about 15 minutes from the huts at the Maundi Crater. Your kitchen crew will serve the lunch at around 7pm in one of the dining huts. Bathrooms with cold running water are available and all the huts have solar-powered lights.
Today you will have to wake up around 07h00,breakfast to follow shortly after. After breakfast, you will start your hike around 08h30 heading to the next stop, the Horombo Huts. Today’s trek should take you around 6 hours to complete. You will be served lunch half way through the day and you will have spectacular views of Mawenzi (the second highest volcano on Kilimanjaro). Gorgeous views of Kibo (the highest of the 3 volcanoes) can be enjoyed from the Horombo huts as well. Enjoy delicious dinner prepared by your cook at round 7pm in one of the dining huts.
Today’s hike will take you up to the Mawenzi Hut. Just outside the Hut area you will find a split in the road. On your way, you will go right and pass the Zebra rock, one of the many landmarks found in the Kilimanjaro National Park. To acclimatize, you must use this day to walk high and sleep low (the best way to acclimatize).Most itineraries exclude this day, however, it is highly recommended to increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak. After reaching the Mawenzi Hut, you will have to return to Horombo Hut for dinner and rest.
Waking up early today than in previous mornings is recommended as this will be a long day.Breakfast will be served early before you start your hike up to your final overnight point prior to your summit, at the Kibo Huts. You will have to cross the saddle that links Mawenzi with Kibo on the second part of the day. It is quite important that you you ascend very slowly here in order to avoid altitude related problems. You will find that, this part is also normally very warm and dry so remember to cover up with sun block and to drink water regularly to avoid dehydration. This is a long hike that will take you aproximately 8 hours to complete. Dinner is normally served around 7pm in one of the eating huts.
Final ascent to the summit, will have to start at around midnight. Your tent crew will wake you up with tea/coffee and biscuits. This part of your hike is done at night in order to reach Gillman’s Point around first light(+/- 6 hours from Kibo huts).You have to completely be prepared as this will be by far the most difficult part of your hike, as it will entail you not only hiking on a slope of loose gravel, but also be doing so at altitude. You have to remember that you have to constantly be on the move and only take short breaks every 2 hours or so to avoid getting cold. Your climbing gear that you have on should be able to assist your body to warm itself, and to keep cold wind out, but when not moving this becomes more difficult.
Once you arrive at Gillman’s Point, don’t be tempted to stay there for too long, your stay at Gillaman’s point should not exceed 10 minutes as you still have the last leg of your trip to complete,most climbers tend to turn around at this point. After Gillman’s point, anothe +/- 2 hour’s hike, will take you to the Uhuru Peak – the highest point in Africa! Spend some few minutes at the summit taking photos, after this amazing and emotional experience you start your return journey to Kibo Huts via Gillman’s Point. The descend will go a lot faster than when you summited. With moderate pace, you should arrive back at Kibo Huts just before lunch time for a light lunch and a short break. After that you will continue down back to the Horombo huts for dinner and a well deserved rest.
On your way to the exit gate, no need for walking slowly anymore, yet it is also not necessary to run. Enjoy the beautiful Kilimanjaro scenery as you walk from the Horombo Huts via the Mandara huts down to the Marangu gate. Since you will arrive at the Maragu late afternoon, your Kilimanjaro climb crew will serve you lunch en-route.At the gate, all successful mountaineers that have reached Uhuru Peak or Gillman’s point will be presented with a unique certificate to commemorate your achievement. Thereafter , you will find your private drive waiting for your, drive back to Arusha where you will find a day room to freshen up and reserved for you till evening when you will be collected and transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport.