6 Days – Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek Marangu Route
Overview
Embark on the iconic Marangu Route, the Coca-Cola Route, with Blue Monkey Expeditions. This route is the most affordable path to Kilimanjaro’s summit. It offers the unique comfort of sleeping huts at each camp, complete with solar lights and comfortable beds—a rare luxury on the mountain.
Accommodation:
The huts along the Marangu Route are communal, providing a welcoming atmosphere for climbers from all over the world. Each bunk is equipped with a sponge mattress and pillow, ensuring a restful sleep after a day of trekking. Mandara and Kibo Huts offer 60 beds each, while Horombo Hut accommodates up to 120 climbers. Bathrooms with running water are available at the lower huts, while basic men’s and ladies’ latrines are provided at the final camp.
Dining and Atmosphere:
Meals are served in shared dining huts, fostering a jovial and energetic atmosphere where climbers from different countries can exchange stories and experiences. The communal nature of this route adds to the sense of camaraderie as you journey to the summit.
Itinerary Flexibility:
While the Marangu Route is typically completed in 5 days, Blue Monkey Expeditions offers a 6-day option to allow for better acclimatization. This extra day can be spent resting at Horombo Hut or exploring the nearby Mawenzi peak, enhancing your experience and increasing your chances of a successful summit.
CLIMBING RATES
* Cost per person in USD
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport (if you've opted for airport transfers), you'll be transported to your hotel in Moshi. We recommend arriving at least a day before the trek begins. In the evening, we’ll conduct a pre-trek briefing at your hotel, where we'll review your gear and arrange any necessary equipment rentals to ensure you're fully prepared for the climb.
After breakfast and a final briefing, we'll drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (approximately 1 hour). After registration, the trek begins with a journey through the lush rainforest to Mandara Hut. Along the way, enjoy a side trip to Maundi Crater for panoramic views of Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Keep an eye out for the towering Eucalyptus trees, vibrant birdlife, and playful Colobus monkeys that call this forest home.
Elevation: 1,860m/6,100ft to 2,700m/8,875ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Leaving the rainforest behind, you'll ascend through open moorlands to the Horombo Hut. Enjoy stunning views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks along the way. The landscape changes to heathland, where you'll encounter unique flora like giant lobelias and groundsels. Altitude effects may become noticeable today.
Elevation: 2,700m/8,875ft to 3,700m/12,200ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Today is dedicated to acclimatization. Spend the day resting at Horombo Hut, or take an optional hike to explore the nearby Mawenzi Peak. This extra day helps your body adjust to the altitude, increasing your chances of reaching the summit.
Elevation: 3,700m/12,200ft
Distance: N/A
Hiking Time: N/A
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
The ascent continues, passing the last water point as you trek across the saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The landscape gradually transforms from upper heathland to an otherworldly alpine desert. After arriving at Kibo Hut, you'll have dinner and rest, preparing for the early morning summit push.
Elevation: 3,700m/12,200ft to 4,700m/15,500ft
Distance: 9km/5.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Begin the final ascent to the summit in the early hours of the morning (midnight to 2 am). Navigate the steep scree or snow to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, then continue to Uhuru Peak—the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, you'll descend back to Kibo Hut for a brief rest and lunch, then continue down to Horombo Hut for the night.
Elevation: 4,700m/15,500ft to 5,895m/19,340ft (summit), descending to 3,700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up, 15km/9mi down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up, 6-8 hours down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
After breakfast, descend through the moorlands to Mandara Hut, then continue through the lush forest to the Marangu Gate. Lower elevations can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles are helpful. Once at the gate, a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
Elevation: 3,700m/12,200ft to 1,700m/5,500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Included/Exclude
- Park fees
- All activities (unless labeled as optional)
- All accommodations as stated in the itinerary
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
- International flights (from/to home)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips for porters and mountain crew is recommended
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
- The government imposed an increase in taxes and park fees
- Alcohol drinks
