Kilimanjaro Marangu route it is known as “Coca-Cola” route or “tourist route” this is because Marangu is the most common route on the mountain and thus is considered popular touristy and because is the only route that provide sleeping huts. Approaching Kilimanjaro from the southeast Marangu is a very popular route among the present day tourists. It is the oldest established route. The route is mostly favored for its scenic view and easy accessibility. The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time is a bit low. It is always recommended to take an extra day to reach at the summit as this is an excellent way to hike the success rate. The dormitory style accommodations (the huts) take it to the top of the preference list for anyone while selecting the routes.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
Elevetion: 1200m to 1860m to 2700m, Distance: 8km, Hiking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Montana forest
You will be transferred to Marangu gate from the hotel and do a registration at the gate. Afterwards, you will begin trekking though the rainforest to Mandara hut. Here you will have an acclimatization opportunity of visiting Mound Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara hut.
Elevation: 2700m to 3720m, Distance 12km, Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast you will out climb the rainforest and continue trekking to Horombo hut where you will trek through rolling moorlands and get your fist clear view of towering Kilimanjaro.
Spend an extra day here at Horombo during the 6 day itinerary for acclimatization purposes.This would absolutely be a leisure day for you. Just hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock for high altitude practice and then return back to Horombo hut for lunch. No work: rest until dinner and overnight.
Elevation: 3720m to 4703m, Distance: 9km, Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.
After the breakfast you trek past the last water point to reach Kibo saddle -a great desert between the two peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. An early dinner and overnight at Kibo hut.
Elevation: 4703m to 5895m, Down 3720m, Distance: 6km up, 15km down, Time: 6-8 hours up, Habitat: Alpine Desert.
Wake at midnight for a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. As you know that you have to trek in the darkness, so carry your headlamp/ flashlight with you. Pack your warm clothes to make yourself comfortable on the summit. As it would be too cold. Remember, your aim is to reach Uhuru peak shortly before or after sunrise to watch the great sight of the sunrise. Yet don’t get hurried. Trek slowly through steep scree or possibly snow. This s the most difficult part of your climb and always try to reach at the Gilman’s point latest by 4-6 Am. At this point you will have a view of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. It is because, after that you would have to take another 2 hours trek to reach at Uhuru. Stay for a short period there at Uhuru for photography and start descending to Kibo huts, to have lunch, rest and collect your equipments and continue down trough re-cross the saddle to the Horombo huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.
Elevetion: 3720m to 1860m to 1200m, Distance: 20km, Descending Time: 4-7 hours
After a long sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed trough lush forest to Marangu gate. After the gate sign out, a vehicle will take you back Moshi at the hotel where it is definitely time for your certificate presentation and celebration!
