Kilimanjaro Budget Climbs | 5 Days Marangu Route
The Marangu Route, affectionately nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest and most established trail up Mount Kilimanjaro. Unlike other routes, Marangu offers hut accommodation instead of tents, making it a popular choice for those seeking extra comfort. Climbers sleep in dormitory-style huts—Mandara and Kibo Huts each have 60 bunk beds, while Horombo Hut has 120. Mattresses and pillows are provided, but you’ll need to bring your own sleeping bag. The huts feature shared dining areas and basic washrooms—expect flushing toilets and running water at lower elevations, but long-drop toilets and bucket showers at Kibo.
This route is often considered the easiest due to its gentle ascent and straightforward path. However, the limited number of days can hinder proper acclimatization, increasing the risk of altitude sickness. Marangu approaches the mountain from the southeast and uses the same trail for both ascent and descent, making it less varied in scenery. Its reputation for comfort and ease also makes it the busiest and most crowded route on Kilimanjaro.
Activities: Hiking, Climbing.
Attraction: Mountain rain forest with different species of monkeys and other small animals, Kilimanjaro vegetation zones, Maundi crater, Kilimanjaro sceneries, and its panoramic view.
Tour type: Suitable for solo climber, private group and open-joining group.
Difficulty level: Easy
Summit success rate: Low, below 50%
TRIP – ITINERARY
DAY 00: ARRIVALS
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll meet our office representative, followed by an hour drive to the hotel in Moshi Town. After having a short rest at the hotel, our mountain guide will meet you to check with your climbing gear and equipment. If some gears will be missing, our guide will help you on how to rent those missing gears from the rental shops.
Day 1 : Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.
- Elevation: 1860m to 2700m
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: 8 km
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Habitat: Rainforest
Day 2 : Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
- Elevation: 2700m to 3700m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 12 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Day 3 : Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
- Elevation: 3700m to 4700m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 10 km
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 4 : Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and down to Horombo Hut
Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
- Elevation: 4700m to 5895m (ascent) and then down to 3700m (descent)
- Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
- Distance: 22 km (6 km ascent, 16 km descent)
- Difficulty: Very Difficult
- Habitat: Arctic (Summit Zone)
Day 5 : Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
- Elevation: 3700m to 1860m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 20 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Heath and Moorland, then Rainforest
TOUR ROUTE MAP
PRICE CHARGED FOR THIS TOUR
- $ 1600 per single person
- $ 1400 per group sharing
- $ 1250 per 3+ group sharing.
PRICE INCLUSION.
- Airport transfer on arrival and departure day
- 2 nights comfort stay in lodge the day before and after climbing.
- Transport to and from Mountain
- All park entrance fee +18% VAT
- All park accommodation fee + 18% VAT
- Park rescue fee
- Food on the mountain (3-meals a day)
- Non personal hiking equipment and gears
- Salary to guide, cook, and the crew.
PRICE EXCLUSION:
- Tipping
- Personal hiking gear and rentals
- Other personal expenses out of the mentioned above.
ESSENTIAL MOUNTAIN CLIMBING GEARS
50L waterproof duffle, small-size backpack, warm clothes including trouser, sweater, thermal underwear, and enough pair of warm socks, Balaclava, snow goggles, or ski sun glasses and scarf, waterproof layers, sun roof hat, warm sleeping bag, mattress, warm jacket, and a pair of gloves. Comfort mountain boots, and walking poles, Sun cream, first aid kit, a knapsack, a pair of getters and water-bottle, minimum 2litres each.
Mount Kilimanjaro climb: Tips for safe and successful Kilimanjaro summit.
-Choose the best route that offers good acclimatization, oxygen decreases as you climb to higher elevation, choose the routes that offer the acclimatization throughout to avoid the possibility of experiencing higher altitude mountain sickness. In this case Rongai, Lemosho, and Machame routes are highly recommended.
-Be well prepared and full equipped for Kilimanjaro trekking, do not forget to carry all necessary trekking equipments and gears. Remember, weather in the mountain is not precisely predictable; having with you the all weather gears is the best decision.
-Do not carry too much heavy day-pack. Most of your item luggage will be carried by Kilimanjaro porters; you will just carry your light day pack bag, which contains the most necessary personal use for a day only.
-Listen carefully to your guide, do not ignore the little advice from your guide, our Kilimanjaro guides are having more than 10-years experience, they have a broad working knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro, please listen to what they direct you to do.
-Eat enough food and drink more water so that your body won’t run out of energy, long day working requires body energy, make sure you eat as much as you can. Do not forget to go to bed early so that you will wake up with new energy to continue climbing.
-Choose the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. Your chance to summit Kilimanjaro peak is highly influenced by the external factors like bad weather, knowing the best time to go for Kilimanjaro trekking will help you plan your adventure accordingly.
Best time of the year to go for Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing:
- June to October-peak of high season, most of the Kilimanjaro routes and hotels are crowded.
- October to December-Most of the Kilimanjaro routes are less crowded, this season may be associated with seasonal rainfall so not that much good for climbing.
December to end of February-High season most of the routes and hotels are crowded.
- March to early of June-Low season, it’s the peak of the wet season as these months are associated with heavy rainfalls so not ideal for climbing.
