Kilimanjaro Climbing via Marangu Route - 'Coca-Cola Route' - 5 Days

Day 1: Moshi to Marangu Gate then Hike up to Mandara Hut

This is the first day of the adventure, where after the morning breakfast from the hotel, you will be picked to the office for briefing, equipment check, and then starts the journey to the gate where you will finish up with the gate formalities before starting the hike up to the Mandara Hut.

Accompaniments: Experienced Mountain Guide/guides chef/chefs and porters

Walking through: The rainforest to Mandara encampment

Short trip: Maundi crater with a view of the surroundings

What to see: Eucalyptus trees, birds, and Colobus monkeys

Time & Distance: 3 to 4hrs hiking of 8km distance

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

Meal plan: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Mandara to Horombo hut

On this day you are ascending through the open moorland up to the Horombo hut. From this post, you will start to have the feeling of the altitude changes.

Walking through: The moorland to Horombo encampment

What to see: Lobelias, groundsels, and the great view of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo

Accompaniments: Experienced Mountain Guide/guides chef/chefs and porters

Time & Distance: 5 to 6hrs hiking of 12km distance

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3: Horombo to Kibo Hut

On this day you will be passing the last point where you can find water, and from there the venture will be deep walking to the Kilimanjaro saddle which is the way between the two peaks which are Kibo and Mawenzi.

Walking through: The saddle of Kilimanjaro between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks

Accompaniments: Experienced Mountain Guide/guides chef/chefs and porters

What to see: some water streams and hardy grasses as the area is deserted

Time & Distance: 5 to 7hrs hiking of 9.5km distance

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4: Summit day (ascend for the summit and descend down to Kibo then to Horombo)

This is the adventurous part through the Marangu route and is the memorable part as you are about to be certified with the Kilimanjaro climbing certificate. You will be leaving at midnight of around 2:00 am start the climbing to the summit on steep heavy scree or sometimes snow up to the Gilman’s point which is located on the crater rim. From there you will be ascending to the Uhuru peak and reaching there, you are at the highest point in Africa or you have reached the roof of Africa. You will spend a short time and from there you will be descending down through Kibo to the Horombo encampment.

Walking through: The steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point

What to see: the great view at the Uhuru peak

Accompaniments: Experienced Mountain Guide/guides during the summit and you will be joining the chef/chefs and porters at Kibo

Time & Distance: 6 to 8hrs Ascending up/hiking of 6km distance and 15km descending to Horombo

Equipment: Headlamps/flashlight, warm layers as it will be very cold before descending

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5: Horombo to Marangu gate and back to Moshi

After the morning breakfast, you will continue the descending up passing through the Mandara hut and then continue the descending up to the Marangu gate where you started the adventures and from there you will find the office team waiting for you, and you will be picked and drove back to Moshi.

Accompaniments: Experienced Mountain Guide/guides chef/chefs and porters

Time & Distance: 4 to 5hrs descending of 20km distance

Walking through: The moorland and lush forest

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Meal plan: Breakfast