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5 Days Marangu Route Overview

Ascend Tanzania LTD – Your Premier Local Experts in Kilimanjaro Adventures

This is the shortest route and variant to the summit on Kilimanjaro, sometimes called the Coca-Cola Route. The Marangu route takes you at a gentle pace through forests, moorlands and then across the Saddle, a high-altitude desert separating the main summit, Kibo, 5895m, from craggy Mawenzi, 5149m, to Kibo Hut. From here an early start is made for the ascent to Uhuru Point (the top of Kibo). The path zig-zags up steep scree which is easier to climb when frozen. The views from the crater rim at Gillman’s Point at dawn can be spectacular. Uhuru Peak lies just above. This is a tough walking trip but within the limits of a fit individual who has fair experiecne in high altitude trek.

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5 Days Marangu Route Itinerary

Choose your Marangu Route, and conquer Africa's highest peak confidently.

Distance: 8km

Marangu Gate (1,843m/ 6,046ft) - Mandara Hut (2,700m/ 8,858ft)

After morning breakfast at your hotel, you will be picked up from Moshi and driven to the Marangu gate. At the gate, the porters will organize and pack the belongings for the hike and register with the Tanzania National Park. You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest. During this section of the hike, you should expect rain, mud, and fog. Also, be on the lookout for wildlife, including Colobus monkeys! About halfway up the trail, you will have a lunch break and you will reach the Mandara Huts in the late afternoon or early evening. The porters and chefs who move very fast up the mountain will reach camp before you and set up your tents, boil drinking water, and prepare snacks for your arrival. After washing up, a hot dinner will be served followed by overnight.

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Distance: 12km

Mandara Hut (2,700m/ 8,858ft) - Hormbo Hut (3,720m/ 12,205ft)

Following breakfast, hikers will begin their ascent out of the rainforest and into the heather moorland. Hikers will pass the Maundi Crater and are able to climb up to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater. In the moorland, you will spot exotic plants, including giant lobelia and groundsel.

After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo Hut. Horombo Hut sleeps 120 hikers and is located on a small plateau. Similar to the first night, the porters will prepare drinking and washing water for you. You will enjoy evening snacks then dinner prepared by our chef. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.

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Distance: 10km

Hormombo Hut (3,720m/ 12,205ft) - Kibo Hut (4,703m/ 15,430ft)

Following an early morning breakfast, you will continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. Hikers have the option of 2 trails that lead to Kibo Hut. The upper route is the same trail used the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi Hut. The lower route is the more popular route because it is a shorter hiking distance.

Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!

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Distance: 22km

Kibo Hut(4,703m/ 15,430ft) - Uhuru Peak(5,895m/ 19,341ft) - Horombo Hut(3,720m/ 12,205ft)

Your guide will wake you up around 23:30 for tea and biscuits. You will then begin your summit attempt. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer Cave. You continue your ascent to Gillman’s point. Reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep, rocky, and at high altitudes. Gillman’s is located on the crater rim. From this point, you will usually experience a snow-covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru Peak. Reaching the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment! You will be able to spend a short time on the summit taking photographs and drinking tea before the descent to Barafu begins. The hike down to Kibo Hut takes about 3 hours.

At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut. You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.

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Distance: 20km

Horombo Hut(3,720m/ 12,205ft) - Marangu Gate(1,843m/ 6,046ft)

Following a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will have a big celebration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to the guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters. After celebrating, you will descend for 6 hours back to Marangu Gate. The National Park requires all hikers to sign their names to receive certificates of completion.

This ends of the trekking.

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Day 1 :

Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut | 8km / 5mi

Day 2 :

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut | 12km / 7mi

Day 3 :

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut | 10km / 6mi

Day 4 :

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut | 22km / 16mi

Day 5 :

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi | 20km / 12mi

5 Days Marangu Route Map

Begin Your Adventure One Step at a Time With a Map in hand step into your adventure with confidence!

What's Included

  • All Entry fees
  • All camping and hut fees
  • 4 season mountain tents with vestibules
  • All camping gears
  • High-Quality 4-inch Sleeping Mattress & Pillow
  • Duffle bags (complimentary)
  • Oxygen cylinder (complimentary)
  • Ox miter machine
  • Mobile Communications (for emergency only)
  • Transport to/from the mountain gates
  • Experienced and friendly trek staff (cook and porters) and their salaries
  • Meals (3 times per day)
  • Boiled/Purified drinking water
  • Cook and kitchen utensils
  • 18% VAT
  • English-speaking guide (certified as a Wilderness First Responder & Emergency Medicine Adult and Child CPR)
  • Special Language Guide (for $20 per guide,per day)
  • First Aid & Injury prevention kits
  • Daily briefing
  • 15% discount on gear rental ( the discount applies for online shopping only)
  • Personal Summit Certificate stamped and signed by the National Park and your Guide

What's Excluded

  • International and local flight from - to back home
  • Tips (Gratuity) to guide and porters
  • Tanzania Visa
  • Travel Insurance
  • Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
  • Hotels for before and after trek night (available as add ons)
  • Airport Transfer (50$ one way per car)
  • Personal mountain gear (We offer high-quality Gear Rental, see below for more info)

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Expert Guide

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Personalize Your Kilimanjaro
Climbing Adventure

Hike the most scenic route to the ‘Roof of Africa’ – the continent’s highest peak
Activities & Certified Guides

All itinerary activities with a local, certified guide

Camping

We provide Kailas X3 III alpine tents with vestibules

Meals

All nutritious meals while on the trek.

Transfers & Porterage

To and from the airport and everything in between

Permits

All permit fees and taxes

Small Like-minded Groups

Solo-friendly by nature, join our small groups

Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Packages

A Snow-Capped Trekking Experience
7 Days Lemosho Route Luxury
  • Duration:7 Days
  • Price:$3208
5

This seven-day luxury variation is planned and is recommended for those who have a fair experience

8 Days Lemosho Route Luxury
  • Duration:8 Days
  • Price:$3473
5

This eight-day luxury variation is a great option and is suitable for novice to experienced level of trekkers.

Why Climb with Ascend Tanzania?

At Ascend Tanzania, we’re a team of adventure enthusiasts with a deep love for everything Kilimanjaro. We believe that when it comes to a bucket-list trek like climbing Kilimanjaro, direct access to your travel operator makes all the difference. Here’s why you should choose us:

We Are Your Local Kilimanjaro Experts

With our own office, experienced team, and a fleet of top-notch safari vehicles, we control every aspect of your Kilimanjaro adventure. From start to finish, we ensure a seamless and memorable journey.

Private and Personalized Climbs

Our customized Kilimanjaro climbs let you explore at your own pace, with a personal guide and private team. Experience the mountain in the style and flexibility you desire.

World-Class Guides & Porters

Our lead guides have a lot of experience across all Kilimanjaro routes. All are certified as Wilderness First Responders. They are a great company to climb Kilimanjaro with.

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Cian O'L / Feb 2020

"Excellent Company To Climb With"

I booked my Kilimanjaro climb (6 Day Machame route) with Ascend Tanzania because I was travelling solo and on a budget

Michael W / Dec 2021

"Mechame trail ascent"

I hiked Killimanjaro with a local company called Ascend Tanzania. I could not recommend a company more highly.

Neetha M / Oct 2021

"Successful summit for first time"

‪I had no idea what I was signing up for when I decided, without any prior experience of a trek of this calibre

Matija / Jul 2022

"Greatest mountain experience so far"

Climbing Kilimanjaro was one of my greatest mountain experience so far.

Nazar_y88 / Mar 2023

"The poley of poley's"

Ascend is a top-notch Kilimanjaro tour guide company that I would highly recommend

Saba A / Jan 2023

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