Compare 5-day Marangu tours & find physical ease hiking this Marangu route 5-day itinerary. This especially applies if you’re an experienced mountaineer with a hiking history above 4,000m/13,000ft.
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Difficulty:
Very Low
Distance:
72km/45mi
Duration:
5 Days
Success Rate:
42%
The Marangu route, also called the Coca-Cola route, is widely coined the “easiest route” by many guides however, it suffers a very low 42% success rate. Trekkers are often lured by the budget rates that come with the route and are fooled to believe a 5-day trek along the steep trails of Marangu could afford them a successful summit. This is far from the truth and hikers are usually met with disappointment.
If this is your first-time hiking at high elevations (above 3,000m/9,900ft), you should know that the most effective way to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is to properly acclimatize during your hike. Short and uneven routes like the 5-day Marangu route are terrible for acclimatization systems to be utilized. See, on Kilimanjaro, there are 2 systems that prevent altitude sickness:
- The first method, Pole Pole (Slow-Slow in English), requires you to be on the mountain long enough for your body to acclimate to various altitudes.
- The second method, Trek-High & Sleep-Low, calls for trails to have gradual inclines in order for you to trek to high elevations and sleep at lower altitudes. This method conditions your body to anticipate elevation changes while helping you adjust during your sleep.
Unless you’re an experienced mountaineer, you should seriously consider trekking Lemosho route’s 8-day variation. This will give you ample time to adjust to elevation changes and will make for a much better hiking experience. The 8-day Lemosho program, unlike the 5-day Marangu hike, performs extremely well with hikers that are under 40 years of age and have no hiking experience to high elevations.
Highlights From This Long Distance Trail
Best Time To Hike The Marangu Route
Dietary Food Menus Served On Mount Kilimanjaro
All of your meals on Kilimanjaro are freshly cooked by excellent chefs and served according to your dietary preference.
Meet Your Tanzanian Tour Guide
Oscar (Cheni)
Cheni is technical and has extensive knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro. He is one of our best lead guides and is well trained to handle emergencies on the mountain.
Safety Trekking Materials & Hiking Equipment
High-Altitude Kits
Medication & Sanitary Treatments
Wraps, Splints & Wound Coverings
Tools & Supplies
Evacuation Protocols On This Walking Tour
Transportation & Meeting Points
Departure Time
10:00 AM
Kilimanjaro National Park Fees
| Kilimanjaro National Park fees | |
| Conservation Fees | $70/Per Day |
| Camping Fees | $60/Per Night |
| Rescue Fees | $20/Per Hiker |
| Guide and Porter Entrance Fees | $2/Per Supporting Crew |
| Tourism Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Retail Value Added Tax (VAT) | 18% |
| Total | $866.08 |
Compare Marangu Route’s 5-Day Prices & Package Tours
Open Group Treks
Save Costs Hiking Marangu Route’s 5 Day Tour With A Kilimanjaro Group. Package includes:
$2,307
Private Treks
Get Kilimanjaro Privacy & Flexibility Hiking This 5 Day Marangu Private Tour. Package includes:
$2,618
Package Tours Exclude
How To Book A Package Tour
Payment Process
Paying For Group Treks
Paying For Private Treks
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5-Day Marangu Route’s Travel Itinerary & Cumulative Elevation Gains
DAY 1 — KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
All trekkers will have to arrange their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and apply for their own visas through the online immigration portal. Visa guidelines are also available on the official immigration website.
Note, if you’re arriving from a country subject to yellow fever, you will be required to show proof of vaccination. A 72-hour PCR test is required for entry.
A transfer will be arranged to drop off you and your luggage at the hotel to unwind from your travels. Briefing will take place in the evening, before dinner, or early morning.
Airport Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Hotel Drop-Off
DAY 2 — MARANGU GATE TO MANDARA HUT
After breakfast, we will depart for the trek registration by the Marangu Gate while the porters pack supplies and luggages before ascent. Please pack trekking belongings not exceeding 15-18kg as porters are only allowed to carry weight no more than 20kg.
The hike will begin at the gate — through a mist and moss-covered forest, where you’ll spot rare wildlife before arriving at Mandara hut. The well-built “A” framed wooden hut is set by a spacious forest clearing.
Elevation: 6,046ft-8,858ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 5 mi/8 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 3 — MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT
In the morning, after breakfast, we will resume the trek to Horombo hut. The trail stretches through a small forest and skirts the base of the Maundi Crater to arrive at moorland. Expect a 6-hour trek from Mandara hut to Horombo hut.
Elevation: 8,858ft-12,205ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 7 mi/12 km
Habitat: Heath & East African Montane Moorlands
DAY 4 — HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT
The trek will continue in the morning towards Kibo but where you’ll hike past the Alpine desert zone. Once at Kibo hut, the summit will be 1,195m out of reach.
Elevation: 12,205ft-15,430ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 6 mi/10 km
Habitat: Alpine Tundra
DAY 5 — KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT)
We will wake up to the most challenging day of the trek. The rocky trails toward 5,250m will lead us to a resting spot at Hans Meyer. Then the trek will continue up to the crater rim at 5,681m toward Gilman’s Point. Expect a steep zig-zap trail toward Gilman’s Point.
From Gilman’s Point, there’ll be snow-covered trails up to the summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895m).
Elevation: 15,430ft-19,341ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 4 mi/6 km
Habitat: Arctic
UHURU PEAK (SUMMIT) TO HOROMBO HUT
The extra day, in between, will be spent at Horombo hut to acclimatize. We will hike 3 hours past Mawenzi up towards Zebra Rocks.
Elevation: 19,341ft-12,250ft
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Distance: 10 mi/16 km
Habitat: Heath & East African Montane Moorlands
DAY 6 — HOROMBO HUT TO MARANGU GATE
On the last day on the mountain, we will descend a further 1,740m to Marangu Gate where you’ll collect your Kilimanjaro certificates. A transfer from the gate to the hotel will be arranged after receiving your certificates.
Elevation: 12,205ft-6,046ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 12 mi/20 km
Habitat: East African Montane Forests
DAY 7 — KILIMANJARO INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT/NEXT TOUR
If you have booked a Wildlife Safari or Zanzibar Beach Holiday package with us, you’ll be transferred to the next chapter of your journey. If you have not booked an additional trip with XPATS International, you’ll be transferred to the airport.
Hotel Pick-Up
Car Transfer
Next Expedition
Lodging
Overnight Stays At The Hotel Before & After Your Hike
Camping Huts & Tents At The Mountain’s Campsites
Trekking Map Of The Marangu Route On Kilimanjaro
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