Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – Excelent Kilimanjaro

Transportation
Bus, Airlines
Accomodation
4 Stars Hotels
Maximum Altitude
5,895 metres
Departure from
Arusha - Tanzania
Best season
January to Mid-March & June to October ,Mid-March to May & November to December
Tour type
Eco-Tour, Hiking
Meals
All meals during the trek
Language
English, Spanish, French, Chinese
Fitness level
Easy to Moderate
Group Size
2-45
Minimum Age
12
Maximum Age
65

Overview

Join Excellent Kilimanjaro on the classic 5-day Marangu Route, affectionately known as the “Coca-Cola” route. This is the oldest, most well-established, and most direct path to the summit, making it a popular choice for many trekkers. The Marangu Route is unique for its dormitory-style hut accommodations, providing a different experience from the camping-based routes. It’s a challenging but achievable trek for those with a good level of fitness, though the short duration requires a more aggressive acclimatization schedule.

The ultimate highlight of the trek is the ascent to Uhuru Peak, where you’ll stand at the highest point in Africa. After achieving this incredible feat, the descent offers a chance to take in the diverse scenery one last time. Upon completing the trek, you’ll return to Springlands Hotel for a well-deserved rest. For those wishing to extend their journey, safari options or beach relaxation in Zanzibar can be added to create a complete Tanzania adventure.

Highlights

The "Whiskey Route" Experience
Optimal Acclimatization Strategy
Diverse & Spectacular Scenery
Conquering the Barranco Wall

Day 1 :

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

After a pre-trek briefing and a short drive from Moshi, your journey begins at the Marangu Gate (1,860m). The first day is a gentle ascent through lush montane rainforest, offering a chance to see unique flora and fauna, including black and white colobus monkeys. After approximately 4 hours of hiking, you will arrive at Mandara Hut (2,700m) where you'll settle into your bunk bed for the night.

Altitude: 1,860m – 2,700m
Hiking Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 4 hours
Accommodation: Mandara Hut

Day 2 :

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Today, you leave the rainforest behind and trek into the open moorlands. The path is a steady ascent, offering stunning views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. You'll pass giant lobelias and groundsels, unique vegetation of this zone. After a 5-6 hour hike, you'll arrive at Horombo Hut (3,720m), your home for the next two nights on the mountain.

Altitude: 2,700m – 3,720m
Hiking Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 3 :

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

This is a long and tough day of trekking. You will ascend into the barren alpine desert, traversing the "saddle" that connects the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. The landscape becomes a dramatic "moonscape" with very little vegetation. After a 5-6 hour trek, you'll arrive at Kibo Hut (4,700m). An early dinner and rest are crucial, as you will be waking up around midnight for your summit attempt.

Altitude: 3,720m – 4,700m
Hiking Distance: 9 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Day 4 :

Summit Day! Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

This is "The Big Day." You'll begin your final ascent around midnight, trekking through steep scree or snow to Gilman's Point (5,681m) on the crater rim for a magnificent sunrise. From there, it's a final push to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), Africa's highest point! After celebrating, you will descend back to Kibo Hut for a brief rest and lunch before continuing the long descent back to Horombo Hut for the night.

Altitude: 4,700m – 5,895m – 3,720m
Hiking Distance: 6 km ascent, 15 km descent
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours ascent, 6-8 hours descent
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 5 :

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate & Return to Arusha / Moshi

After a celebratory breakfast at Horombo Hut, you will begin your final descent. The path takes you back down through the moorlands to Mandara Hut, and then through the lush rainforest to the Marangu Gate. At the gate, you'll receive your well-earned summit certificates before being transferred back to your hotel for a hot shower and celebratory meal.

Altitude: 3,720m – 1,860m
Hiking Distance: 20 km
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Accommodation: Hotel

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Expand all

How fit do I need to be to do this trek?

Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.

How long do we walk every day when doing Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.

What is the highest altitude reached in this trek?

The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.

What about battery charging and hot shower facilities?

Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.

Are there ATMs on the way to Annapurna Base Camp?

No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.

What about internet access?

Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.

Is it necessary to hire Guides/trekking agency for Annapurna Base Camp trekking?

Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.

It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.

How much do guides and porters cost?

For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.

Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

Map

Overview

Highlights

Itinerary

Cost

The Cost Includes

The Cost Excludes

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Map

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