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The Marangu or 'Coca-Cola' route is a low-quality high-traffic route on Kilimanjaro, which requires only a medium to high level of fitness. Marangu offers relatively low scenic variation and it is largely up and back on the same trail. It is the only non-camping route, with sleeping huts at each overnight stop, but it is generally considered that given the state of the huts you are better off camping. Since starting our climb operations in 1999 we have never had cause to operate even a single trek on this route ... there is quite simply very little chance of delivering any kind of decent quality wilderness experience.

 

AASTM02: The 7 Days Popular Marangu Route

Day 1: Arusha -Marangu
Transfer to Marangu. Dinner and overnight at a Hotel.

Day 2: Marangu – Mandara Hut (2,744 M)
Distance: 9 kms. Estimated duration: 4 hours.
Depart from your hotel, drive straight to Marangu National Park gate, where the climb begins (1860m) on the edge of the mountain forest. Walk through the semi tropical dense rain forest, with camphor, cedar, juniper, wild olive and pillar trees festooned with lianas, lichens and Spanish moss. Flowers of various species delight the eyes, while monkeys shake trees and terraces and other colorful forest birds sing in the forest profusion. The walking takes 4 hours covering 9 km to Mandara Hut, at 2744 m near Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.

Day 3: Mandara Hut - Horombo Hut (3,761 M)
Distance: 11kms. Estimated duration: 5 hours.
Starting early in the morning towards Horombo Hut you walk 5 hours, to cover the first 4 km or so, the dense rain forest now gives way to the rolling moorland, clothed in knee-high grass tussocks dotted here and there with giant heather trees, some standing up to 9 m high. Here is perhaps the most pleasant point, where the landscape is decorated with tropical flowers and the sun is refreshingly warm. From here, both Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks are magnificently viewed. Some animal species are found here, i.e. bush duikers etc. The landscape becomes more rugged and rocky, as you continue to Horombo Hut at 3761 m above sea level. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut. You should have warm clothes due to strong winds here.

Day 4: Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut (4,700 M)
Distance: 10kms. Estimated duration: 5 hours.
After breakfast, continue to Kibo Hut through the euphorbia trees and here high altitude causes difficulty in breathing and tiredness is felt. The path leading you to Kibo Hut passes the water streams and skirts MAWENZI before opening out into the lunar landscape of the saddle. It forms a "U" between MAWENZI and KIBO Peaks. You will experience the winter nights as cold and icy winds encircle the huts accompanied by frost and snow. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut.

Day 5: Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut (3,761 M)
Distance: 24kms. Estimated duration: 12-13 hours
Wake up soon after midnight for the final attempt to the summit. Walk for about 5 hours, the steepest and most difficult part of the route, to GILMAN'S POINT at 5681 m above sea level, on the Crater rim. Try again if your stamina allows, for UHURU Peak, reached in about 2 hours. This is the highest point in Africa. After signing the visitor’s book, descend to Horombo Hut, for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Hotel
Descend to Marangu Gate then transfer to Marangu or Kibo Hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 7: Marangu - Arusha
After breakfast, return to Arusha by company transport. es the small valley an continues up a long steep ridge the going through the rocks and heather is easy until the end of the ridge is reached.  Here 3 - 4 hrs from the Hut, the path turns west into a river Gorge (3600m) The ascent West wards to Shira Hut is no more than a half hours walk.  Water is available. Dinner & O/N at Shira Hut.