6 Days Marangu Route
Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. Marangu is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.
Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut. Also available for consumption are soft drinks, bottled water, and beer.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success. Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences, compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route
You are about to climb the tallest mountain in Africa, and maybe Meru as well! Before your hiking boots hit the ground, we thought you might like to know what it is going to be like up there.
What to expect while climb Kilimanjaro
Typical Daily Routine
Before the hike – wake up around 6:30 am and pack gear. Around 7:00 am a hot breakfast will be provided.
After Breakfast – guides will do a health check and review the day’s climb.
Start hiking – @ 8:30 am, duration of hike will depend on the day and the speed of the group.
Lunch – depending on the route there will be a hot lunch if you have reached the campsite, or a packed lunch if it is a longer day.
Reach next campsite – the campsite will already be set up when you arrive, the staff will be waiting with hot drinks and snacks.
Acclimatization hike – depending on the trek, you will have the opportunity to take a short walk to a higher altitude. This will help acclimatize you for the next day and decrease risk of altitude sickness.
Dinner – a hot dinner consisting of three courses will be served.
After dinner – guides will do the second health check, discuss any concerns, talk about the next day’s trek. Each night a talk will also be given by the guides. The talks consist of history, language, folklore, and culture.
Day Pack and Duffel Bag
Each morning you will pack up your day pack and duffel bag. The porters will transport up to 15 kg (33lb) of your personal belongs in your duffel bag, and when you reach the campsite your tent will have already been erected, with your duffel bag inside. Your duffel bag will have everything you are bringing on the trek, with the exception of the items you will need for the day – these items will be brought with you in your day pack.
The items in your day pack may vary depending on the day’s climb, but you can ask your guide if you want specific suggestions for the next day’s activities. In general you will want to bring the following in your day pack:
valuables such as your passport, money, & phone
- ¬ waterproof jacket and pants
- ¬ soft jacket
- ¬ knit hat
- ¬ gloves
- ¬ sunglasses
- ¬ trekking poles
- ¬ water bladder 2-3 liters
- ¬ snacks and electrolytes
- ¬ snacks and electrolytes
- ¬ camera
- ¬ toilet paper or wet wipes
- ¬ first aid kit
- ¬ lip balm
- ¬ sunscreen
- ¬ prescriptions
But remember to review everything you need to pack for Kilimanjaro, Meru, or a Safari.
Accommodation
On all routes, with the exception of Meru & the Marangu Route, there will be two people per tent. The tents are modern three person trekking tents with enough room for the sleeping pads and all your gear to be inside. Each campsite will also have a dining tent, with tables and chairs, and portable toilet. If you prefer a personal toilet, Kilimanjaro and Beyond can arrange it, with an upgrade.
All the accommodations are broken down, carried, and set up again by our amazing porters.
On the Marangu Route, Lightening Week, there are simple huts. The initial huts are arranged to accommodate four people each, while the last hut is much larger, with bunk beds.
Food
Staying hydrated and well-fed on your climb is absolutely vital. This is especially true in conditions when you might not want to eat or drink as much as you should. Because so many climber experience a loss of appetite at high altitudes, Kilimanjaro and Beyond’s head chef has developed special menu plans that are appealing, healthy, and filled with all the energy you need to make it to the summit. The meals include fresh fruit and vegetables every day and you will have fresh meat for the first part of the trek. Before you leave the mountain, you will also be treated to a sample some of the local Tanzanian cuisine such as Machalari, Njegere, Pilau and Ugali.
If you have special dietary requirements, just alert Kilimanjaro and Beyond to your needs when booking, and we will ensure there are healthy meals on the adventure for you.
Tipping
Tipping is a universal custom on Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru. Sadly, without regulation, tipping is a vital source of income for many guides and porters.
At Kilimanjaro and Beyond we are committed to paying our staff higher than average wages. That being said, we still believe it is important to tip the phenomenal guides and porters that will help you summit the Roof of Africa. The vast majority of our climbers are more than willing to tip according to the guidelines below. After meeting and seeing the incredible work put in by the Kilimanjaro and Beyond staff, to bring you successfully and safely up the mountain, we are confident you will agree.
If the tip amount adds too much to your trip expense, we are more than happy to customize a tour that meets your needs better.
The average recommended tip per group per day:
Guides: $20-$25 per guide per day from the group
Cook: $15-$20 per cook per day from the group
Waiter: $12-$15 per waiter per day from the group
Porters: $8-$10 per porter per day from the group
The tipping ceremony occurs the last night on the mountain to give the climbers a formal chance to thank the guides and porters. It is usually a fun ceremony with singing and dancing. Your group will receive a form with the names and roles of the staff. As a group, you will fill in the amount of the tip money* for each staff member, and envelopes which you will place the tips in. You will then choose one person to be the representative for the climbers. The guide will assemble the entire staff and the spokes person will say a few words of thanks before announcing the tip amounts. The staff members sign a tip report which is reviewed after the climb to ensure everyone has been tipped correctly. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
*large denomination bills fetch a better exchange rate and are therefore preferred
Day 1 Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft
Distance: 8 km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
After breakfast we head to the National Park gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The trail climbs through a tropical rain forest, near the upper edge of the forest line (keep an eye out for blue monkeys). The trail then widens to expose beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.
Day 2 Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
Distance: 12 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Health
Our second day on the trail begins with a steep, but not technical ascent through forest and opens into high moorland. If weather allows, we may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.
Day 3 Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,160 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Habitat: Health
This is an extra day to acclimatize and can be spent day hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Day 4 Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today we climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach our campsite which sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once at camp we rest, enjoy dinner and prepare for the next day.
Day 5 Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft
Distance: 22 km
Hiking Time: 10-13 hours
Habitat: Arctic
Leaving very early in the morning (around midnight), we continue our way to the summit in hopes of catching the sunrise. The trail is a series of switchbacks up a steep scree slope, with climbers stretched into the darkness, visible only by headlamps. It is important to focus on breathing and foot placement. The views from the summit are dramatic and immense. After spending a few moments taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut.
Day 6 Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Distance: 20 km
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
A long trek is in store for today, however it is mostly downhill. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate we pick up our certificates that prove our achievement. Vehicle transfer to hotel for a celebration.
This trekking package includes;
- Transport from/to park gate & airport transfer
- Pre and post climb accommodation (B&B) in Moshi
- Park, camping & rescue fees
- Mountain tent & mattress
- Professional English speaking guide(s), porters & chef
- breakfasts, lunches and dinners
- Water; tea and coffee with meals
This trekking package excludes;
- Flights
- Lunch & dinner in Moshi
- Travel insurance
- Visa and passport fees
- Increases in park fees where applicable
- Personal equipment
- Sleeping bag
- Tips for guide(s), porters & cook
- Soda and Alcoholic beverages