For Kilimanjaro enthusiasts
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6 Days Marangu Route – Kilimanjaro Climbing

Private 6 days climb + 2 nights hotel from $1,900

PRICING

Number of Participants Private Group Price (in USD per person)
1 $2,320
2 – 3 $2,190
4 – 6 $2,100
7 – 10 $1,980
11+ $1,900

Description

Also know as Coca-cola Route. It is the most popular route and the only with mountain huts. Hiking is along the most direct path to the summit and it has stunning scenery of forests, alpine meadows, over rocky ravines and lunar landscapes to the summit.

ARRIVAL DAY: KILIMANJARO AIRPORT TO MOSHI (915M / 3,000FT)

You will be met at Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO) by a PK Adventure staff member and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. We will go through an equipment check and your guide will give a thorough briefing and answer any questions that you might have. If you have a later arrival, this can be done in the morning before departing for the mountain. Any equipment items that you are lacking can be rented locally.

Day One: Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft)

  • Elevation Gain: 915 meters, 3,000 feet

After breakfast at your hotel, we drive you to Marangu Gate. Your full climb staff will be present when you arrive at the gate. After completing gate registration, begin your Kilimanjaro trek. Walk along a narrow trail through the rainforest of Kilimanjaro for most of the hike. Eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni, the halfway point of today’s trek. After lunch, you continue walking through the rainforest until reaching Mandara Hut. Relax for the rest of the day or take a short walk to Maundi Crater. The views to the east over Taveta and to the northwest to Mawenzi Peak are stunning on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort.

The A-frame Mandara Huts can accommodate up to seventy people and consist of several sleeping huts and a dining area. All of Marangu’s huts have beds with mattresses.

Day Two: Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

  • Elevation Gain: 977 meters, 3,200 feet

After breakfast, leave Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro’s forests for Horombo Hut. Most of the day’s hike will be through Kilimanjaro’s moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants. Eat a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut. If the weather is clear, enjoy beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at Horombo Hut at mid-afternoon and spend the rest of the day relaxing.

Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered to be the nicest on Kilimanjaro. The small, A-frame buildings can accommodate up to eight people each and provide lodging for hikers ascending, descending, and acclimatizing. Horombo can accommodate up to one hundred hikers and many more porters, cooks, and guides.

Day Three: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Mawenzi Hut (4,600m/15,100ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

  • Elevation Gain and Loss: 880 meters, 2,900 feet

Day three is an acclimatization day. We suggest hiking all the way to Mawenzi Hut to allow for maximum acclimatization. The hike will increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, and also reward you with magnificent views of Kibo. Return to Horombo for a late lunch. Spend the afternoon and evening relaxing at Horombo.

Day Four: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft)

  • Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters, 3,380 feet

Leave Horombo Hut after breakfast to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro’s upper altitudes. After hiking for about an hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream. After Maua, the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill. After lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro’s Saddle. Although the environment on the way to Kibo is a bleak desert with little vegetation, you will see many stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Reach Kibo Hut mid-afternoon to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.

Day Five: Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft) to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

  • Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, 3,760 feet 
  • Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters, 7,140 feet

Around midnight, awake for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The hike begins with a demanding five hour hike to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. Although this is considered to be the easiest of the three crater ascent paths, it is still extremely difficult. The first major rest stop, William’s Point, lies at 5000 meters and is approximately a two hour hike Kibo Hut. Continue on for thirty minutes before beginning the rocky switchbacks that will continue to Gillman’s Point (5,681 meters).

The hike from Gilman’s to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take photos of your guide and group at the peak before beginning the descent to Horombo Hut.

On the way down from the summit, you will see all of the magnificent views you could not see on the way up. Stop for a short break and snacks at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut. Reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon and enjoy your last night on the mountain.

Day Six: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft)

  • Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters, 6,295 feet

After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Your hotel is included in the climb package for this night (B&B plan).

Included

  • Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro International  Airport – JRO)
  • Two nights hotel at Weru Weru River Lodge B&B plan (subject to change in cases of no availability for your dates)
  • Expedition briefing and equipment check prior to leaving for the mountain
  • Transfers between hotel – park gate
  • Luggage storage during your trek (for luggage not needed during the climb)
  • Certified, experienced, English-speaking mountain guide(s)
  • All Park Fees & Taxes
  • All hot meals prepared by our cook while on the mountain
  • Guides, Porters, and Cook Salaries
  • Fair and ethical treatment of  the climb staff
  • Enough porters to carry all gear
  • Camping Equipment (cookware, utensils, cooking gas, etc)Safety Equipment:
    • Short wave radio
    • Emergency oxygen
    • Pulse Ox meter
    • First Aid Kit
  • Hot drinks at every meal (coffee, tea, hot chocolate, Milo)
  • Drinking water provided on the climb: mineral water for the first day, and boiled water every day

Excluded

  • Flights
  • Tanzanian Visa
  • Lunches & Dinners before and after the climb
  • Alcoholic and soft drinks
  • Tips to mountain crew (highly recommended)
  • Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
  • Travel / Medical insurance (strongly suggested)
  • Helicopter evacuation / medical expenses if needed (see above)
  • Items listed on our packing list (all can be rented locally)
  • Extra nights hotel and meals if the climb needs to be abandoned early or is completed earlier than scheduled