The 6-day Marangu Route records a low summit success rate of about 50%! Since climbers tend to rush to reach the summit. Skipping one extra acclimatization day can significantly lower the average success rate of 50%. The Coca-Cola Route, which is the only route that uses huts instead of tents as a type of housing, is also known as the Marangu Route. On the slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, it is one of the most popular routes.
| safari type : | Trekking / Climbing |
| You will visit: | Marangu Gate, Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut, Mawenzi Ridge, Kibo Hut, Uhuru Peak |
| Getting Around: | Walking |
| Start/End: | Arusha |
| Minimum Age: | 18+ |
After your long flight, you’ll be pleased to spend your first night in comfort at your hotel, the Planet Lodge in Arusha. You will be picked up by a Gifted Adventures driver, who will be waiting to meet and welcome you and take you to your hotel in Arusha to relax after your flight. Your adventure has begun!
Accommodation: Arusha Safari Lodge
Meals: Dinner
Drinking Mineral Water only
On your first day of your trekking, you hike through dense rainforest, though at points there are openings in the vegetation that offer views of the farmlands which cover the base of the mountain outside of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The day’s trail ends at Mandara Hut, where you overnight.
Elevation:6100ft to 8875ft
Distance:8 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat:Montane Forest
On your second day of trek you will have through more beautiful rainforest, but soon the forest gives way to the moorland. The snowcapped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen. After trekking for five to six hours you reach Horombo Hut, where you stay for the overnight.
Elevation:8875ft to 12,200ft
Distance:12 km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat:Heathland
On Third day of the mountain climbing, you can be split into two parts: a climb to Mawenzi Ridge, followed by a return to Horombo Hut. The reason for this is that it’s in keeping with the ‘climb high, sleep low’ strategy which helps your body to acclimatize properly to the increased elevation. This part of the day’s trek sees you climb from Horombo Hut up into the heath zone of Kilimanjaro. The turning point of the climb comes when you reach the horseshoe-shaped Mawenzi ridge. As already mentioned, climbing high and then sleeping low is an important acclimatization strategy.
Elevation:12,205 ft
Distance:4km
Hiking Time: 3 hours
Habitat:Healthland
On Day four you traverse the so-called Saddle, a five-mile stretch of rubble and emptiness that connects the craters of Mawenzi and Kibo. You spend the night at Kibo Hut.
Elevation:12,200ft to15,500ft
Distance:9km
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
The first part of day five, you strike out for the summit! Your guide wakes you up around midnight to get ready for the ascent. Today is usually the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire Kilimanjaro climb. The route ascends northwest into the dark night. Within about six hours you reach Stella Point and enjoy the sunrise. After that, you trek for about another hour on a snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) at the very top of Africa! After reaching the summit, you descend to Horombo Hut for the night. Having hiked for about 12 to 15 hours, you’ll fall asleep immediately, trust us!
Elevation:15,500ft to 19,340ft
Distance:9 km / 15 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat:Alpine Desert
Today you do the last hiking down to the foot of the mountain, where your driver is waiting for you. Time for a beer and a great celebration dinner!
Elevation:12,250 ft to 5500ft
Distance:20 km
Hiking Time:4-5 hours
Habitat:Rain Forest
Today is the day that you say goodbye to our team. Congratulations, you just hiked the highest freestanding mountain on planet Earth and the tallest mountain in Africa. You will remember these memories for the rest of your life. Upon waking up today, your guide will be with you until you need leave for Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Meals:Arusha Safari Lodge
Distance:Breakfast
Drinking Mineral Water only
Kindly call us at +255 753 900 422 if you require any immediate assistance.
Planning for Kilimanjaro Climbing, whether long or short, can seem overwhelming. By the time you got to the Bottom of this Page, You’ll be ready To Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro! Are you going to be the part of it.
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