Request Price | Duration 10 Nights

06 Day Marangu Route Trek with TanzaniaVogayes

Tanzania | Africa

Your journey at a glance

Often known as the “Coca-Cola Route”, the Marangu Route is one of the most famous treks in Kilimanjaro. The trek features hut dormitory accommodations and a gradual ascent making it a favourite for many hikers. This trek allows you to traverse diverse climatic zones like the lush rainforest and finally culminates in the Alpine Desert. The six-day long trek comes to an end with a thrilling summit push at the Uhuru Peak at 5,896 meters. With an equal balance of adventure and acclimatization, this LSK Kilimanjaro experience maximizes your chances of success at the summit. Reasons to choose TanzaniaVogayes for Kilimanjaro Trek Our team guarantees a comfortable, well-supported, and safe trekking experience for all . Take Acclimatization Focus: Longer acclimatization periods (like Day 3 at Horombo) are planned to increase the likeliness of you reaching the summit. How Do We Deliver Quality Service: With your comfort in mind, we take care of everything from meals to hut capsules and everything in between. To Remember Cultural Encounters: During the climb, guides and porters are able to share local music, dance, and stories to add to your cultural experience. Gear & Preparation Clothing: Layered thermal innerwear, fleece jackets and waterproof pants, ski gloves along with quality hiking boots are a necessity. Accessories: Trekking poles, beanies, sunglasses for summit day, and an extra battery-packed headlamp. Hydration: Drink 3-4 liters of water daily to negate the risk of altitude sickness. Training: Doing cardiovascular exercises and going on preparatory hikes allow you to adjust to the long hours of high trekking.

Day 1

Arusha – Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut

Elevation: 1,879m (Marangu Gate) to 2,774m (Mandara Hut) Distance: ~9KM Trekking Time: ~3-4 hours Habitat: Rainforest Accommodation: Mandara Hut Early Pickup (8:00 A.M.). Your tour starts with a scenic ride from Arusha to Moshi, stopping by the Marangu gate first. Your guide from TanzaniaVogayes will teach you about the native culture and history as you enjoy remarkable views of the Tanzanian countryside. Trek to Mandara Hut Your hike begins by climbing through the forest zone. Along this route, you are likely to find blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and a variety of bird species. The trek is straightforward and gentle which works perfectly for warming up your legs. Hint: If you are lucky, you may come across some wildlife which will be perfect for your camera. Arrival & Overnight at Mandara Hut Come midafternoon, you will arrive at Mandara Hut. Upon check in, relax for a short period of time. Your mountain cook will then prepare a delicious dinner for you. While you sleep, you will adapt to the altitude of 2,774.

Day 2

Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut

Elevation: 2,774m to 3,761m Distance: 12 kmn Trekking Time: 6-8 hoursb Habitat: Rainforest transitioning to Heath/Moorland Accommodation: Horombo Hut Itinerary Description Start of a New Day & Trekking Begin with a delicious breakfast When ready, you will continue your hike moving further away from the rainforest and deeper into the heather open zone where giant shrubs and heathers outline the zone. Lunch En Route While hiking, make sure to take a break to enjoy lunch that you packed beforehand. Should the weather be clear, you will be able to spot Mawenzi and Kibo, which are two out of the three peaks of the volcano. Getting to Horombo Hut Horombo Hut is located at an impressive altitude of 3761m, and is accompanied by astonishing views all around. After your climb for the day, enjoy a nice warm meal followed by some much needed rest in the shared dormitory huts. Rendezvous Scribbler’s Peak and Protea Kilimandscharica During your time spent here, ensure that you keep a lookout for unique alpine flora such as Protea kilimandscharica. In addition, it also provides wonderful views of Mawenzi Peak, which can be seen from a distance.

Day 3

Acclimatization at Horombo Hut

Why an Extra Day? By adding those extra days, you will increase the chances of successfully summiting to the peak. The main battle on Kilimanjaro are altitude sicknesses, thus, having an extra day at Horombo Hut can be beneficial. Accommodation Thanks to the well established hut system on the mountain every climber get the needed night rest. For this overnight option, I would recommend resting at Horombo Hut. During your stay, you’ll get the second dose of acclimatization with the help of the short hike. Morning Acclimatization A 3-hour morning trek to higher altitude allows your body to both adjust and prepare for the conditions during the time you spend above the hut. After that, return back to grab lunch at Horombo. Afternoon Relaxation After lunch, you are free to do whatever you like such as camp walking or spending your time relaxing or reading. In the evening, I would advise taking another short walk to get some fresh air and help with acclimatization. Dinner & Overnight After lunch, head to the communal sitting area for dinner where your guide will explain the round of trekking scheduled for the next day.

Day 4

Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut

Elevation: 3,761m to 4,732m Distance: ~13 km Trekking Time: ~6 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Accommodation: Kibo Hut Itinerary Details Long Hike Across the Saddle After your breakfast, you will be setting off to the alpine desert environment. This section is called “The Saddle” and is a wide stretch of desert situated between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. It is very dry here and the land has a resemblance to that of the moon’s surface.

Unique Vegetation Interesting plant species that have survived extreme conditions such as giant groundsels, giant lobelias, and even cacti can be found here. Arrival at Kibo Hut Kibo Hut is at 4732 meters and is the last stop before the summit. At these dormitory style huts, you will drink water, eat an early dinner, and rest. Summit Preparation Your instructor will be providing you with complete, and tailored, instructions for the trek. You need to pack warm clothes, snacks, and the necessary items. Plan on getting up around midnight so you can attempt the summit in the early morning.

Day 5

Kibo Hut - Summit Uhuru Peak (5,896m) – Horombo Hut

Elevation: 4732m to 5896m (summit) and descent to 3761m Distance: ~6 km ascent to Uhuru peak; ~15 km descent to Horombo Time trekking: ~5 hours to reach Gilman’s Point, 1 hour more to Uhuru Peak, and around 6 hours while descending. Habitat: Arctic/Glacial at the summit, Alpine desert lower Accommodation: Horombo Hut Itinerary Description Summit Attempt This is the final leg of your ascent, where everyone gets a sense of achievement as they begin their trek. Uhuru Peak is the last point to reach, surrounding it is all the breathtaking landscape that Africa has to offer. Self-explanatory. Final Push to Uhuru Peak (5,896m): Subsequently after 6800 feet, everyone gets to Uhuru peak and stands in awe of witnessing Africa’s thrilling landscape. Roaring jump while grabbing suit from 2.00 am cabin time: Chill out being cozy and getting ready, with a night light illuminating outside. Celebration of the sun rising at uhuru peak: These spectacles simply gets all foot and mouth in stitches. We grab a ton of selfies while the ice glistens and crowns Ben at the crack of dawn. Descent to Horombo Hut Enjoy gloating in the glory standing atop uhuru peak, and descend to spend the night munching the horombo hut. As one pops up from the ugliest snooze to rest those twinkly calves. Heights Oh My: Freeze all dips of trees looking at the pale undulating golden sea. With a launching wobble while suiting up cos of all the thrilling accelerations Africa has to offer.

Day 6

Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Arusha Trekking Time: 5 – 6 hours

Length s: 20km Habitats: Rainforest to Moorland Accommodation: Hotel in Arusha (pre booked for a day room before the trip) Final Day Descent Start your day off with your breakfast and as you come to the end, prepare for your descent trek towards Mandara Hut. This is the opportunity you have been waiting for to enjoy the remaining journey with all it has to offer. Once you are finished with breakfast, prepare yourself to move in the downward direction to reach Mandara Hut. Certificate Ceremony Once you reach the park gate, get your official certificates which signify that you completed your goal. You have earned a Green certificate with a Gilman’s points and Gold certificate with a summit Uhuru peak. Be ready and prepare yourself to celebrate and sing while dancing along with your guides and fellow trekkers. Return to Arusha Make your way back to your room in Arusha and relax and refresh with the shower in the room you previously pre booked. You are set to take an international flight so your driver will pick you up around the time your flight is scheduled. Your driver will take you to the Kilimanjaro airport.

What's included

Round-trip transport from Arusha/Moshi
Entrance fees to Kikuletwa Hot Springs
Guided tour and local insights
Swimming and relaxation at the hot springs
Garra Rufa fish pedicure experience
Local BBQ lunch or picnic meal
Bottled water

What's not included

Personal expenses (souvenirs, tips, etc.)
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Travel insurance
Optional activities (if requested)

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route Map

Wildlife

Witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti and experience the high-density game viewing of the Big Five (including the endangered Black Rhino) within the unique confines of the Ngorongoro Crater.

Culture Tour

Engage authentically with East Africa's indigenous tribes, such as joining the Hadzabe hunter-gatherers near Lake Eyasi for a morning hunt or visiting a Maasai boma to learn about their pastoralist traditions and warrior culture.

Balloon Safari

Drift silently over the Serengeti or Tarangire at dawn, gaining a breathtaking bird's-eye view of the waking plains and massive animal herds, often concluding with a champagne breakfast.

Adventure

Step out of the vehicle for an active experience, including guided walking safaris to track wildlife on foot, trekking in the scenic Ngorongoro Highlands, or embarking on the ultimate challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

Birdwatching

Explore the rich avian life in destinations like Lake Manyara, famous for its enormous flocks of flamingos, or the unique forested highlands, which are home to numerous endemic species.

Zanzibar Beach

Zanzibar is an idyllic island paradise in Tanzania, renowned for its sugar-white sand beaches and turquoise waters. A holiday here combines relaxing under palm trees with cultural immersion in Stone Town, diving/snorkeling at Mnemba Atoll, and exploring the island's famous spice farms.