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5 Day Marangu Route

This is the oldest and most established trails on Kilimanjaro. It is also known as the "Coca-Cola" route, as it is the only route that offers sleeping huts instead of tents. The trail typically takes 5-6 days to complete and is less challenging than other routes. However, many climbers don’t make it to the summit via this route due to their quick ascents that gives their body’s less time to acclimatize thus end up sick. The law of “polepole” has to be observed very keenly on this trail especially for in experienced climbers in order to make it up Kibo.

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​Day 0: 
​Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be met by a Simba Kilimanjaro Expedition representative and transferred to Moshi at the hotel of your destination. A briefing will be conducted in the morning at the hotel to prepare you for the climb ahead. You will also get the chance to meet with the crew before you start the climb.

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  • Six day’s option offers an extra day for acclimatization (recommended)

  • 6 day option is also available.

  • No camping required.

  • Hut accommodation available at all camps. 
     

Day 1: 
 

  • Marangu Gate (1,830 m/6,000 ft) to Mandara Hut (2,740 m/9,000 ft)

  • Distance: 7 km,

  • Hiking time: 4-5 hours

  • Habitat: Montane Forest
     

You will be driven to Marangu Gate (1800m) to start walking through a thick rain forest which takes 3-4 hours to Mandara Hut (2727m). The Mandara Hut is situated on the forest belt border just below the Maundi Crater. Here you will have dinner and overnight.


Day 2:

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  • Mandara Hut (2,740 m/9,000 ft) to Horombo Hut (3,690 m/12,100 ft)

  • Distance: 11 km

  • Hiking time: 6-8 hours

  • Habitat: Heath Land
     

After breakfast proceed walking 5-6 hours slowly following a path through the forest and then through the heather and moor land zone from where you can view Kilimanjaro’s two peaks and Moshi town with on way lunch box. Arrive at Horombo Hut (3,720m) for dinner and overnight stay. 


Day 3: 
 

  • Horombo Hut (3,690 m/12,100 ft) to Kibo Hut (4,695 m/15,400 ft)

  • Distance: 10 km,

  • Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

  • Habitat: Alpine Desert
     

A hard day climb to Kibo Hut (4703 m), 5-6  hours crossing the barren sub – Alpine terrain of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks with picnic lunch box along the way.  We relax on arrival to prepare for the next stage which begins shortly after, Mid night a very early start at around 12:00, follow the zigzag path up the scree slope, stopping frequently to catch breath in the starlit air. This is the steepest and most demanding section for the climb, taking five hours to Gilliman's Point (5685m). Gillman’s Point offers great views of the Eastern Ice fields.  See sunrise behind Mawenzi Peak illuminating the plain. Then walk a further 45 minutes around the crater and up to the highest point Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the roof of Africa where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the spectacular glaciers illuminated by the sunrise.  Thereafter it is a 3-4 hour descent to Kibo Hut (3720m) with a rest at Kibo Hut on route. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut. 


Day 4: 
 

  • Kibo Hut (4,695 m/15,400 ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft)

  • Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) to Horombo Hut (3,690 m/12,100 ft)

  • Distance: 4 km ascent, 14 km descent

  • Hiking Time: 10-15 hours

  • Habitat: Artic
     

This is an easier day as you have the luxury of walking downhill on the way to the Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight 


DAY 5:
 

  • Horombo Huts (3,690 m/12,100 ft) to Marangu Gate (1,830 m/6,000 ft)

  • Distance: 18 km,

  • Hiking time: 5-7 hours

  • Habitat: Rain Forest
     

This is also a much easier day as you have walking downhill from Horombo Hut way to the gate waiting vehicle at Marangu gate for transfer to Moshi.

END OF SERVICE

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