Marangu Route at Mount Kilimanjaro – 6 Days Safari Itinerary

Towering at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s tallest peak and one of the Seven Summits and an incredible destination to explore when you reach the top at Uhuru Peak. Getting here, you are required to follow various routes like the Marangu Route.

Marangu Route

Marangu Route is one of the popular routes along the Mountain and is also known as the “Coca-Cola Route” due to its relatively easier ascent. This route offers a unique balance of accessibility, scenic beauty and comfort. It is the oldest and most frequently used routes to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It’s  relatively straightforward with good infrastructure, hut-based accommodations instead of camping making it more appealing to trekkers looking for comfort. It approaches Kilimanjaro from the South East following through verdant rainforest, heath, alpine desert.

• Distance: Approximately 72 kilometers (45 miles) round-trip
• Duration: 5 to 6 days
• Difficulty: Moderate (though still challenging due to the altitude)
• Accommodation: Huts (instead of tents like on most other routes)

Why Choose the Marangu Route?

Before delving into the specifics, it’s important to understand why the Marangu Route is a popular choice for trekkers:

• Comfort: Unlike other routes that involve camping, the Marangu Route offers hut accommodations that are equipped with basic amenities like sleeping bunks, dining areas and sometimes electricity (at certain huts).

• Easier Terrain: The Marangu Route is known for being the easiest trekking path in terms of the gradient, which makes it accessible to people with moderate fitness levels. The terrain is well-maintained, with fewer steep ascents compared to other routes.

• Shorter Duration: While the trek still takes several days, it is generally quicker than other routes like Machame or Lemosho, making it ideal for those with limited time.

• High Success Rate: Because of the gradual ascent and hut-based accommodation, the Marangu Route has a higher success rate for reaching the summit compared to some of the more challenging routes.

The Marangu Route Trek

The trek via the Marangu Route typically takes 5-6 days, with one day allocated for the summit push. Here is a breakdown of what to expect on each day of the hike:

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut 

• Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
• Duration: 4-5 hours
• Elevation Gain: 800 meters (2,625 feet)

The trek begins at the Marangu Gate, located on the southeastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, at an elevation of 1,800 meters (5,906 feet). After completing the necessary registration and formalities at the gate, you’ll head into the rainforest zone.

• Trail Conditions: The path is relatively easy with a steady uphill gradient, winding through dense, lush rainforest.
• Wildlife: You’ll have a chance to see colobus monkeys, various bird species, and other rainforest wildlife.
• Accommodation: Mandara Hut, the first stop, is located at 2,700 meters. The hut is equipped with bunks and a dining area, providing a warm and dry place to rest for the night.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut 

• Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
• Duration: 6-7 hours
• Elevation Gain: 1,020 meters (3,350 feet)

After breakfast, you’ll continue your journey up the mountain through the moorland zone. The landscape changes from dense rainforest to open heath and moorland.

• Trail Conditions: The path becomes steeper, but the gradient is still manageable. The ascent can be challenging due to the increasing altitude.
• Views: You’ll begin to see expansive views of the surrounding valleys, and if the weather is clear, you may catch glimpses of the summit.
• Accommodation: Horombo Hut sits at 3,720 meters and offers a spacious area with bunk beds and dining facilities. This is also where you’ll spend the night and acclimatize.

Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut

• Distance: 0 km (rest day)
• Elevation Gain: None

To avoid altitude sickness, it is highly recommended to take a day to acclimatize before continuing higher up. During this rest day, you’ll have the option to take an optional hike to the Zebra Rocks, a unique geological formation about 3-4 hours away from Horombo Hut. The extra day allows your body to adjust to the thinner air, significantly improving your chances of reaching the summit.

• Activities: Enjoy the stunning views of the Mawenzi Peak, the second-highest peak on Kilimanjaro, and take in the serene beauty of the surrounding high-altitude landscape.

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut 

• Distance: 10 km (6 miles)
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Elevation Gain: 980 meters (3,215 feet)

On this day, you’ll move into the alpine desert zone. The terrain becomes barren and more exposed to the elements, with few plants or animals. This is where the altitude starts to really affect trekkers.

• Trail Conditions: The path becomes rocky and dry, and you may experience colder temperatures. The air feels thinner, and the ascent is more challenging.
• Accommodation: Kibo Hut is the final resting point before the summit. It is located at 4,700 meters, and although the hut is basic, it provides shelter from the cold. The night will be spent here, and trekkers will get some rest before the summit push.

Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit (Uhuru Peak) and Descend to Horombo Hut

• Distance: 22 km (13.6 miles)
• Duration: 12-16 hours
• Elevation Gain: 1,195 meters (3,920 feet) to Uhuru Peak and descend 2,000 meters (6,561 feet) back to Horombo Hut

The summit day is the most physically demanding part of the trek. Climbers start the hike around midnight in order to reach the summit by sunrise.

• Trail Conditions: The path to the summit is steep and challenging. You will climb through loose volcanic rock and snow, and the temperature will drop significantly as you ascend.
• Summit: After hours of climbing, you will reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. It’s an exhilarating moment as you stand at 5,895 meters and take in panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
• Descent: After spending some time at the summit, you will begin your descent back to Kibo Hut and continue down to Horombo Hut for the night.

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

• Distance: 20 km (12.5 miles)
• Duration: 5-6 hours
• Elevation Loss: 2,000 meters (6,561 feet)

On the final day, you’ll descend through the moorland and rainforest zones, retracing your steps back to the Marangu Gate. This descent will provide a sense of relief after the previous day’s grueling ascent. At the gate, you’ll receive your certificate for summiting Kilimanjaro, a proud reminder of your achievement.