The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola Route”, is a popular and relatively easy route up Mt.Kilimanjaro that is known for comfortable huts for overnight stays. This route is popular because it is the shortest route up the mountain, where you ascend and descend on the same path
On your arrival at Kilimanjaro international airport (JRO), you will meet our representative who will drive you to your reserved lodge in Arusha, Moshi, or near the airport. Over dinner, your guide will brief you on the plan for ascent and descent and make sure that you are ready to conquer Africa’s highest mountain.
We will have an early breakfast at the lodge, and then drive to the starting point where you enter Kilimanjaro National Park and start your climb. Today’s trek takes 4-5 hours through the tropical rainforest to reach Mandara Hut where we will spend the night.
Your second day on the mountain starts with a fairly steep climb through the last of the rainforest and up to alpine meadows dotted with giant heather, a large plant that is common on the mountain. Further on, the environment changes to an open plain with vegetation stunted by altitude before opening out to bleak moorland.
Today you will gain approximately 3280.84ft in altitude, so walk slowly in order to acclimatize properly. It is normally a 6-7 hour hike to reach Horombo Hut.
The terrain now becomes progressively more rocky and rugged where the giant groundsels and lobelias will make their appearance. The trail skirts Mawenzi Peak, before crossing a stark, almost lunar landscape and the tundra desert of ‘the saddle”. The hike to Kibo Hut takes anything from 5 to 7 hours and the views from the saddle are breathtaking. Today we will retire early because our climb to Uhuru Peak starts at midnight.
Soon after midnight, your guides will wake you up to start the switchback hike up a long scree slope. After roughly two hours you should reach Hans Meyer’s Cave and from here the gradient gets steeper. Continue your climb for approximately another 3 hours to Gilman’s Point and you will be rewarded by the dramatic sight of the rising sun reflecting off the ice fields and craggy peaks of Mawenzi.
Walk along the crater rim for another couple of hours to reach your goal – Uhuru Peak, towering at 19,340 ft. After congratulating yourself, taking your summit pictures, and taking in the breathtaking view for a few minutes, we will descend to Kibo Hut. We will stop here for some rest and a hot refreshment before continuing to Horombo Hut for your last night on the mountain.
After a leisurely breakfast, we will make our final descent through the alpine meadow, past Mandara Hut and on down through the rainforest to Marangu Gate. Here our driver and vehicle will be waiting to transfer us back to Arusha, Moshi or near Kilimanjaro International Airport where you will dine and spend the night in a reserved lodge.
Depending on your liking, you will be transferred to the airport, or you may opt to select safari add-ons and continue your adventure with Ubora Adventures!
If you have questions about any aspect of an itinerary, don’t hesitate to ask. Customization is our specialty.
