Conquer Kilimanjaro's breathtaking peaks on the Marangu Route, enjoying cozy sleeping huts and stunning volcanic views, without worrying about harsh weather, even if it’s your first climb!
The Marangu Route, famously known as the Coca-Cola Route, is the most popular trail for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Renowned for its comfortable sleeping huts, it’s the only route offering sheltered accommodations, making it ideal during the rainy season. Along the way, trekkers enjoy breathtaking views of the Kibo and Mawenzi volcanoes, adding to the trail's allure. This route features 5- or 6-day itineraries, with the 5-day option suiting experienced trekkers, while the 6-day trek allows extra time for altitude acclimatization, perfect for first-timers. Spanning 64 km (40 miles), the Marangu Route is recommended for beginners and those who value comfort and scenery. Whether you seek adventure or a steady introduction to Kilimanjaro, this trail offers an unforgettable experience.
Whatever your arrival time at Kilimanjaro International Airport will be, your TmT driver-guide will be waiting for you with a warm welcoming smile. Kick back and relax in your comfortable vehicle as he takes you to your hotel in Arusha/Moshi, Tanzania’s self-styled safari capital. On the way to the hotel, you will get a brief impression of this large, bustling, Safari Hub. Depending on your arrival time, you may have your pre-safari briefing today; if not, it will take place early tomorrow morning.
A guide and a mountain support crew will arrive at the hotel in the morning in order to meet you and hold a quick briefing, after which you will travel by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park's eastern entrance: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After the quick formality of acquiring climbing permits and registering with the search and rescue service, the group will start trekking up to Mandara Hut (2,700 m). The trekking route includes passage through the rainforest (where tropical showers are highly probable), so we recommend you take not only spare clothes, but also your raincoats. When you reach the camp, our mountain support crew will take care of the necessities, pitch the tents, and prepare lunch.
Throughout the entire Marangu route, you will be spending your nights in special huts. They offer a great alternative to those who do not want to sleep in tents.
This will be your first day at this altitude, so it is strongly recommended you heed the following instructions from this point on: -
-Abstain from consuming alcohol and caffeine.
-Drink over 4 liters of bottled water daily (little by little, frequently).
-Take a Diamox pill to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness. Most mountain climbers take Diamox in the morning, before they start their ascent, in order to reduce discomfort associated with altitude sickness. We recommend you consult your doctor prior to the trip in case of potential allergies.
At night, you may experience discomfort associated with acclimatization to the high altitude: because of a reduction in your waking breathing pattern, your body gets less oxygen than during the day. Considering altitude, you may therefore start feeling sick and have a headache. Pay attention to your own body and tell your guide if you start feeling any symptoms of altitude sickness.
Change in Elevation: Marangu Gate (1,860 m) to Mandara Hut (2,700 m)
Early in the morning after breakfast, the group will depart Mandara Hut to start a moderate trek towards the second-high altitude camp: Horombo Hut (3,720 m). When you reach the camp on this day, you will be treated to views of two volcano at once: Kibo and Mawenzi.
Several hours after lunch, you will have to complete an acclimatization hike in the direction of Kibo Hut with a 200-meter gain in altitude, and then hike back down to Horombo Hut where dinner will be prepared for you.
Note: - The acclimatization hike is an easy trek with a slight gain in altitude done in order to speed up the acclimatization process. You should take the acclimatization hikes very seriously. They help increase your chances of successfully summiting Kilimanjaro and save you from the consequences of altitude sickness.
Change in Elevation: Mandara Hut (2,700 m) - Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
An extra day at Horombo Hut provides an opportunity to acclimatize and increase your chances of making it to the summit. There are a number of walks within the vicinity of the huts, which are strongly recommended to further help with the process of acclimatizing to the altitude. The most popular hike is to the Mawenzi Saddle, passing the Zebra Rocks along the way. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly (pole, pole). After the four to five-hour hike (round-trip), you will then enjoy an evening meal before retreating to bed early for a good night’s rest.
Acclimatization hike: -
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) - Destination point en route to Kibo Hut (3,920 m)
On this day, right after breakfast the group will be trekking to the Kibo Hut (4,700 m). The actual trekking is not very difficult; just remember to stick with an appropriate pace to keep up your strength for the trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit. When you reach the camp, you will be served lunch, after which we recommend you sleep as much as you can, avoid any strenuous activity, and drink lots of water.
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) - Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
Night departure from Kibo Hut (4,700 m) and the start of your trekking to Kilimanjaro's summit: Uhuru peak (5,895 m). The trekking will be moderate from a physical standpoint, but the altitude presents a much more serious problem. For the entire length of the trekking their own guide, who will be monitoring your stamina and mental resolve, will accompany each pair of climbers. After your successful ascent to Uhuru Peak, you can descend to the nearest glacier if desired. Then you will return to Kibo Camp and after a two-hour rest continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).
Change in Elevation: Kibo Hut (4,700 m) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) - Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
Note: Do not forget that 90% of all accidents occur during the descent, including all broken arms and legs. Please pay attention to your feet, as there is a high risk of damaging your toenails.
You will be offered a warm breakfast in the morning, after which we will head for the Kilimanjaro National Park's exit: Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook. Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates (in our office) and provide you a transfer back to the hotel to enjoy a shower, dinner and celebrations with a Kilimanjaro beer!
Change in Elevation: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) - Marangu Gate (1,860 m)
Today will be at leisure to relax or explore, depending on your flight. Your driver transfers you to Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport for your departure flight Back Home or Zanzibar.
To reserve this tour, a payment of 20% of the total price must be made at the time of reservation. The balance of 80% can be made on arrival in Tanzania, prior to the departure of your tour.
Your deposit can either be made by means of a Bank Transfer, with the addition of a 45 US Dollar fee, or by Credit Card, which incurs an additional bank charge of 3.5%.
Either the final payment can be made through Credit Card, again with the addition of a 3.5% bank charge, or in cash in US Dollars (US Dollar Bills should not be older than year 2009).
Cancellation of a holiday must be made in writing and is effective from the date we receive the written notification. Cancellation charges are expressed at a percentage of quoted price as follows
If the reason for cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim the cancellation charges from your insurance company. Notwithstanding the above, if we have issued your domestic airline tickets and you choose at any time to cancel them then the cancelling for Domestic Tickets will be 100%.
The above payment and cancellation policy is specifically for MARANGU ROUTE and it does not apply to other tours.
