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Overview
Also known as the “Coca Cola route” – the Marangu route is one of the most popular routes leading to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many hikers believe that the Marangu route is the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the only route which can be hiked in 5 days (making it the cheapest option). However, we strongly recommend hiking the route over 6 days to increase your chances of reaching the summit successfully. Note that this is the only route that provides communal sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every overnight site. Some basic goods such as mineral water, beer and chocolates are also sold at most sites. The Marangu route takes the same route for both ascend and descend.
Highlights
- Trek to the world-famous Everest Base Camp
- Enjoy the amazing view of the Himalayas from Kala Patthar
- Travel through the Sherpa villages of Namche, Khumjung, Khunde, and Dingboche
- Visit Tengboche the biggest and oldest monastery n the region.
Itinerary
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport, our transfer guide will warmly welcome you. You will be driven to your hotel in Moshi, where you can settle in and relax. In the evening, you will have a brief meeting with your mountain guide to discuss the climb scheduled for the next day. Your guide will also check your climbing gear and equipment to ensure everything is in order.
Meals: Dinner
Hiking time: 5 hours, Distance: Approximately 8.1 km, Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, we will embark on a 50-minute drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. As we pass through the village of Marangu, situated on the lower slopes of the mountain, you will catch glimpses of the local life and scenery. Upon reaching the park gate, all hikers are required to sign in at the Park office and finalize their preparations for the climb. Our porters will organize and load their packs with food, water, cooking gas, and most of the equipment.
From the park gate, we will start ascending on a well-defined trail through the enchanting rainforest, where you may spot various wildlife species. An alternate, more scenic trail branches off to the left, offering you the opportunity to explore the forest’s edge and rejoin the main trail either after 1.5 hours of hiking or 1 hour before reaching Mandara Hut. Mandara Hut, located in a picturesque forest clearing, consists of comfortable wooden A-framed huts. Each hut features sleeping bunks with solar-generated lighting. The camp can accommodate up to 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from nearby springs, and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.
Meals: Full board
Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: Approximately 11.6 km, Habitat: Moorland
Today’s trek begins with a short stretch through the forest before transitioning from the rainforest to the moorland. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to explore the Maundi Crater’s rim, which provides a magnificent view of the Kibo Crater and, on clear days, the majestic glaciers glistening in the morning sun.
As we continue through the open moorland, you will encounter some of Kilimanjaro’s unique plant life, such as the towering giant lobelias and the giant groundsel. After approximately 6 hours of trekking, we will reach Horombo Hut, where we will spend the night.
Meals: Full board
Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: Approximately 9.6 km, Habitat: Alpine Desert
Following breakfast, we resume our ascent through the alpine desert habitat. From Horombo Hut, there are two trail options to reach the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The upper route (right-hand fork) will be familiar to you, as you have already traversed most of it on the previous day toward Mawenzi Hut. This section is characterized by rocky and eroded terrain.
Alternatively, the recommended lower route (left-hand fork) is easier, shorter, and features the last watering point at 4130m. Make sure to fill your water bottles with enough water to last until your return to Horombo Hut in two nights, unless you prefer to purchase mineral water at Kibo Hut.
Situated in the barren alpine desert, Kibo Hut offers stone-built accommodation with bunk beds for up to 60 climbers. However, there are no water sources nearby. Mineral water and soft drinks can be purchased at the camp office. Platform toilets are available behind the hut. This evening, you will prepare your equipment, including ski sticks and thermal clothing, in readiness for the final ascent. It is recommended to carry water in a thermal flask to prevent freezing.
Meals: Full board
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak | 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo Distance: Approximately 5.4 km ascent and 15 km descent Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Today is the day you’ve been waiting for – summit day. You will wake up around 23:20 and, after some tea and biscuits, begin your ascent in the dark. The initial section of the trail is rocky and leads to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), a suitable resting spot. From there, the path zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim. This stretch is steep, covered in scree, and demands significant physical and mental effort. It is considered the most challenging part of the entire route. Take your time, maintain a steady pace, and conserve your energy.
From Gillman’s Point, the trail is mostly snow-covered as you continue towards Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. The amount of time you can spend on the summit will depend on weather conditions. Take in the breathtaking views and capture memorable photographs before commencing the 3-hour descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest, you will collect your gear and head down to Horombo Hut (6 hours), where you will spend the night. The descent to Horombo Hut often feels quicker than the ascent. Today will be a physically demanding day, with a total walking time of approximately 14 hours.
Meals: Full board
Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
After breakfast, we will commence the final descent (6 hours) from Horombo Hut. Passing by Mandara Hut, we will continue down to the Marangu Gate. At the gate, you will receive your summit certificates. Climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are awarded green certificates, while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) receive gold certificates. From there, we will drive back to Moshi/Arusha, where you can enjoy a well-deserved hot shower, a delicious meal, and celebrate your remarkable achievement.
Meals: Full board
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Pick-up or Drop-off service from and to Airport(in our own vehicle)
- Transportation to and from!!
- Food all along the trip(Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and a cup of coffee or tea) and accommodations during the trip in hotels with family environment
- Transportation, food, accommodation and insurance of Guide during the trip
- Down jacket, all-season sleeping bag, duffel bag and trekking map(in case if you don’t have your own. Down jacket, sleeping bag and duffel bag must be returned after completion of the trip)
- First Aid Medical Kit(Your guide will carry the Medical Kit but we also advise to bring yourself for your own use, as far as possible)
- All the required permits and paperwork
The Cost Excludes
- International Airfare
- Visa Charges
- Hotel Expenses(In Kathmandu, some packages do include hotel expenses)
- Your travel and medical insurance
- Personal Expenses such as shopping, bar bills, hot shower, telephone, laundry, titbits etc
- Food and accommodations in Kathmandu
- Services not mentioned or not promised by the agent/agency
- Emergency expenses such as expenses on chartered helicopter.
FAQs
Annapurna Base Camp is a Grade B or a moderately difficult trekking route. So any fit person can do this trek, even if you do not have any previous experience. You should be aware of what to expect and mentally prepare for it. Then, as long as you will too, you can.
On average, you walk about 4 to 6 hours per day. One or two days can be as less as 3hrs and one or two days can be as long as 7hrs.
The highest altitude reached is 4190m. This is the elevation of Annapurna Base Camp. ABC is the highest we will climb in this trek.
Yes, you can charge batteries en route. Charger should be brought. There are hot shower facilities as well. You may have to pay a certain amount for both ($1-$2). Negotiate. Also, a hot water facility could be free at a lower elevation.
No. There are no ATMs on this trek route. You will have to draw enough cash in Pokhara or Kathmandu. There are a number of ATMs in these cities. Everything is paid in Nepali rupees. So money should be exchanged before the start of the trek.
Yes. The Internet can be accessed in most places. Sometimes, there might be some technical problems. The Internet in Nepal is not as fast as you are used to and at times you can just lose connection.
Not really. It depends on you. If you want, ABC trekking can be done independently. You could hire a guide and a porter by yourself instead of going through an agency or not hire a guide at all. Although, not having a guide can be a little problematic during the offseason.
It really depends on you. Is it your first time in Nepal? How confident are you of being able to find your way around? How pressed on time are you? If you go through an agency, it will be costlier but everything will be planned. You will only have to come, trek and return.
For the Annapurna region, pay for guides range from $20 to $30 per day and porters take $15 to $25 per day.
