The 7 Days Kilimanjaro Safari, the Marangu route – is sometimes referred as “Coca-Cola” – is the most popular route amongst Kilimanjaro climbers. It is unique in a way that it provides extra comfort with its permanent huts. Fabulous vistas of Kilimanjaro’s Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are an added advantage of the Coca-Cola Route! Marangu Route offers 6 and 5-day itineraries, the latter being the way to go for experienced trekkers.
The 7 days Marangu Route itinerary with its longer acclimatization is preferable if this is to be your first time hiking Kilimanjaro. Those who trek Kilimanjaro on the Marangu route can look forward to a Kilimanjaro route that covers the distance of 64 km (40 miles) with comfortable conditions resulting in a 92% climbing Kilimanjaro summit success rate for the longer program for Kilimanjaro safaris.
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrival at the Airport and transfer to the Lodge/Hotel for an overnight.
Day 2: Transfer from Mosh to Marangu gate 1980m for the start of the Climbing to Mandara hut 2700m.
Day 3: Ascend from Mandara 2700m hut to Horombo Hut 3720m.
Day 4: Acclimatization Day (Full day at Horombo hut 3720m).
Day 5: Horombo hut 3720m to Kibo hut (4700m).
Day 6: Summit attempt from Kibo hut (4700m) to Uhuru peak (5895m) and later descend down to Horombo hut 3720m.
Day 7: Horombo hut 3720m to Marangu gate 1980m.
Day 8: Transfer to the Airport for a flight back home.
7 Days Kilimanjaro Safari detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at the Airport and transfer to the Lodge/Hotel for an overnight.
Upon arrival time, you will meet greet at arrival point by our professional guide who will escort you to the waiting vehicle for loading your luggage then drive you to the Hotel in Moshi town. After checking in the hotel you will get a briefing about your next day’s trek then your mountain guide will check your gears. The rest of the day can be spent relaxing at the pool or exploring the town of Moshi.
Day 2: Transfer from Mosh to Marangu gate 1980m for the start of the Climbing to Mandara hut 2700m.
After an early breakfast, depart the hotel, for the drive to Marangu gate. Up on reaching the gate, the porters will organize and park the belongings for the hike while registering with Tanzanian park authority. After begin the hike to the rainforest, during this section of the hike you should expect rain, mud, and fog. On this route you will be able to spot some wildlife species such as colobus monkeys. After making half way of the trail, you will have a relaxation for lunch break and leg stretching and later proceed to Mandara Hut in the late afternoon or early evening. porters will be at the camp before you getting there as they prepare and setup you tents with the chefs boiling water and prepare snacks for your arrival as you refresh with a hot bath and have dinner and overnight while waiting for the next day.
Day 3: Ascend from Mandara hut 2700m to Horombo Hut 3720m.
Wakeup early morning for breakfast and later prepare for the hike from Mandara hut, here you will move out of the rain forest and enter into the heather moorland as by passing the maundi crater and hiker are able to climb up to rim for the spectacular view of Kibo crater. Here you will be able to spot exotic plants such as giant lobelia and groundsel. After 6 hours of hiking, you will reach Horombo hut (3720M). Horombo huts accommodates 120 hikers and it’s located on a small plateau as on the fast night porters will be at the camp before you getting there as they prepare and setup you tents with the chefs boiling water and prepare snacks for your arrival as you refresh with a hot bath and have dinner and overnight while waiting for the next day. Be prepared for a cold night as temperatures drop below freezing at this site.
Day 4: Acclimatization Day (Full day at Horombo hut 3720m).
On this day you will spend the rest of the day at this camp as your body tries to adopt on the weather conditions in this area to adapt to high altitudes. Here you will have an option doing a day hike to Mawenzi hut (4600) for further acclimatization with your guide. Have breakfast at the hut, lunch will either be packed or have at the hut depending on your preference.
Day 5: Horombo hut 3720m to Kibo hut (4700m).
Wakeup early morning for breakfast, and continue your ascent into the alpine dessert habitat. Hikers have options for2 trails that lead to Kibo hut at (4700m). The upper route located on the right fork. Is the same trail used on the previous day for the day hike to Mawenzi hut. The lower route is located to the left of the fork is more popular because it is a shorter hiking distance (1 hour short).
Kibo Hut is located in the “Saddle,” which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo in an alpine desert. There is no water at this camp, but hikers can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. An early dinner will be served so hikers can rest before attempting the summit the same night. Your guide will brief you in detail on how to prepare for summit night. Get to sleep by 19:00!
Day 6: Summit attempt from Kibo hut (4700m) to Uhuru peak (5895m) and later descend down to Horombo hut 3720m.
Wakeup early in the night at around 11:00 Pm, for a cup of tea and later begin to ascend to the summit. The trail is rocky up to Hans Meyer’s caves at 5150m; continue with the hike to Gillman’s point at 5681m. Upon reaching this section is an impressive achievement as the trail is steep rocky and at high altitudes. Gillman is located in the crater rim. From this point you will experience a snow covered trail until you reach the summit, Uhuru peak at 5895m. Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro is a life time accomplishment. Spend a short time on the summit while taking photos and having a cup of tea after descend Barafu with a hike down to Kibo hut and this takes up to about 3hrs.
At Kibo Hut, you will rest and enjoy a hot lunch in the sun. After eating, you will continue descending down to Horombo Hut (3720m). You will have dinner, wash, and rest soundly at the hut after a strenuous day.
Summit attempt of Marangu Route 6 Days
Day 7: Horombo hut 3720m to Marangu gate 1980m.
After breakfast, your staff will have a big acceleration full of dancing and singing. It is here on the mountain that you will present your tips to guide, assistant guide, chefs and potters. After celebrating you will descend to Marangu at 1980m for about 6hrs. Here the national park requires all hikers to register their names to receive certificates of completion. Hikers who reach Gillman point 5681m will receive green certificates, hikers who reach Uhuru peak 5895m receives Gold certificates. After you will be taken back to mosh for long overdue showers and more celebration.
Day 8: Transfer to the Airport for a flight back home.
Wake up early morning for breakfast and later checkout while carrying your last memories of the 7 days Kilimanjaro safari and go for the flight back home.