5 Days Marangu Route
Marangu Route climbing experience for Mount Kilimanjaro in five days. Marangu Route is also known as the “Coca-Cola Route”. Marangu is the park’s headquarters and the easiest route on the mountain.
It is the only route that offers hut accommodation, suitable for those who don’t like camping. The route takes at least five days, but six days are recommended. If you book 6 days, expect to spend an extra day at Horombo Hut for acclimatization.
The trek begins and ends at Marangu Gate (South-East) of the mountain. The main attractions found on this route are Zebra Rocks and Mahundi Crater.
Scope
- Duration: 7 days
- Route: Marangu route
- Price: From $1,790 per person sharing
- Destination: Mount Kilimanjaro
- Activities: Climbing
- You will be greeted by our welcoming team upon arrival at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
- Enjoy a short transfer from the airport to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you may see beautiful landscapes en route to Arusha.
- Meet the Blessing Safaris team for a tour briefing and final arrangements.
- Begin your day with a hearty breakfast and a hot shower at the hotel.
- You will be accompanied by a knowledgeable climbing crew, including guides, porters, and cooks.
- While climbing the Marangu route, you will encounter various attractions. Black-and-white Colobus Monkeys are often seen at the first camp, along with diverse bird and plant species and signs of other wildlife, such as buffalo.
- Climbers on the Marangu route have the opportunity to visit Zebra Rocks and the Mahundi crater.
- Each zone on Kilimanjaro supports unique plant species, including Old Man’s Beard, Lobelia deckenii, Idrosenecio kilimanjari, Stoebe kilimanjari, Red Hot Poker, and Protea kilimanjari.
- You will cross several climatic zones, enhancing your climbing experience. The scenery and glaciers provide a memorable journey.
- Enjoy delicious and healthy meals served promptly at every camp, with picnic lunches provided between camps.
- Throughout your climb, you will stay in huts.
- After reaching the summit, celebrate by singing the popular Mount Kilimanjaro climbing anthem, JAMBO Africa.
- Collect your certificate at Marangu Gate to commemorate reaching 5,895 meters above sea level.
- You will have direct communication with our ground team for tour monitoring and in case of emergencies. Your safety is our top priority.
- Return to Arusha for an overnight stay and a well-deserved shower after your climb. A massage service is also available to help you relax.
- On departure day, have a one-on-one with the Blessing Safaris team to review the tour and gather feedback. Airport transfer or other arrangements with Blessing Safaris
- The Marangu route is the headquarters of the park, the route is also known as the Coca-Cola route. It is flat at the beginning making it the easiest route.
- Climbers through the Marangu route have the chance to visit Zebra rocks. And the Mahundi crater.
- It is possible to climb for at least five days but six days is recommended.
- The summit night of the Marangu route is a bit challenging. The trail to the summit is very steep until you reach Gilman’s point.
- The Marangu Route is the only route that offers hut accommodation.
- Climbers via the Marangu route use the same trail for ascending and descending.
First-day experience on Mount Kilimanjaro
Begin your day with an early breakfast at the hotel as you wait for your team and prepare for your Kilimanjaro adventure.
Your adventure begins this morning. Take the opportunity to capture photos with your team before departing the hotel.
Following a brief introduction, depart from Arusha or Moshi and travel to Marangu Gate. You will stop at a supermarket before continuing to the gate.
Upon arrival at the park gate, sign the visitor’s book. While your guides register your climb and porters finalize climbing permits, take a moment to prepare. You will then begin your ascent into the rainforest.
Depending on the season, you may encounter sun, rain, dust, mud, heat, or cold. You can also expect to see Blue Monkeys, Black and White Colobus monkeys, Hartlaub’s Turaco, and Old Man’s Beard.
Stop for lunch halfway through the hike. Use this break to rest your muscles and restore your energy before continuing.
You are expected to reach the first camp, Mandara Hut, in the late afternoon or evening. Upon arrival, your support team will be waiting for you.
A waiter will provide hot water for washing, as well as tea or coffee with popcorn to help you regain your energy.
Dinner will be served around 7:30 pm in a shared dining area. Please ensure you stay warm, as temperatures may drop in the evening.
| Day | Starting Camp | Altitude | Finish
Camp |
Altitude | Time | Distance |
| 1 | Marangu Gate | 1879m | Mandara Hut | 2720m | 3hrs | 8km |
| 2 | Mandara Hut | 2720m | Horombo Hut | 3720 | 5hrs | 11km |
| 3 | Horombo Hut | 3720m | Kibo Hut | 4720m | 5hrs | 9km |
| Kibo Hut | 4720m | Uhuru Peak | 5895mm | 8hrs | 6km | |
| 4 | Uhuru Peak | 4600m | Horombo Hut | 3720m | 5hrs | 16km |
| 5 | Horombo Hut | 3720m | Marangu gate | 1879m | 6hrs | 19km |
5 Days Marangu Itinerary
Meet your driver at Kilimanjaro Airport and drive to your hotel in Arusha. For lunch/dinner and relaxation after the long flight. Depending on your program. You will meet with your mountain guide at the hotel for a briefing and equipment check.
Accommodation standards
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- Standard: Samora River Lodge
A trip starts from your hotel in Arusha at Marangu Gate. After completing the necessary registration formalities at the gate. Spend time taking photos and changing clothes while waiting for the climbing permit.
After the permit clearance, your adventure starts in the rainforest. Expect to see Black and white Colobus Monkeys and birds. You will stop for a picnic lunch halfway to fuel up for the remaining hours of hiking to the camp.
After lunch, continue hiking for 2 more hours until reaching Mandara hut. After arriving at the camp our team will be ready to welcome you to the camp.
The hot water for washing up, and tea/coffee with popcorn to regain your energy. While waiting for your first dinner on Mount Kilimanjaro. If you are willing, you can take a short walk to the Mahundi crater where you can see the first view of the mountain.
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Hiking time: 3hours Hiking distance 8 km
The morning after breakfast. Start your day walking through the forest until you reach open moorland. This is where you can see the first view of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks if the weather is clear.
Enjoy your picnic lunch and proceed on your climb until Horombo hut after 5 hours of your trekking. On the way, expect to see Lobelia Deckenii and Senecio Kilimanjari
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Hiking time: 5hours Hiking distance 11 km
After breakfast, start hiking through moorland, and alpine desert. To the saddle area between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. Picnic lunch will be served halfway before reaching the camp.
After arriving at Kibo Hut, check in, and spend your time resting until dinner time. Today you will get your dinner earlier to give yourself enough time for rest.
Your guides will meet for a summit briefing before you go to sleep. Listen and follow the advice from your guides for a successful summit.
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Hiking time: 5hours Hiking distance 9 km
Today you wake up early around 11 pm for summit preparation and breakfast. Unlike other days your breakfast will be very early and light.
After breakfast, we start our summit journey around 12.00. Don’t rush, enjoy your special night. The summit night is always challenging. But if you respect the mountain and follow the advice of your guides it will be easy.
At some point, you can feel exhausted but never give up, try to push yourself while drinking water.
Drink a lot of water at the beginning before freezing. Stop at Gilman’s Point 5,681 m for hot drinks and photos.
It takes us 2 hours from Gilman’s point to Uhuru Peak where we celebrate the summit of Africa. Enjoy the beautiful sunrise, crater view, and glaciers.
After taking summit photos at Uhuru peak. We return to the base camp for breakfast, short rest, and lunch before we descend to Horombo Hut 3720 m.
Enjoy your last dinner and your last night at Mount Kilimanjaro. We hope that you will get a better night’s sleep due to physical exhaustion.
- Hiking time and distance from Kibo Hut to Gilman’s Point: 6 hrs 4 km
- Hiking time and distance from Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak: 2 hours 2km
- Descending time and distance from Uhuru to Horombo Hut: 5 hrs 16 km
After the last breakfast on the mountain, you will descend about 5 to 6 hours back to Marangu Gate. Your guide will collect your certificates at the gate. And you will be ready to check out to Arusha or Moshi.
Our driver will take you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for a shower and celebrations.
- Descending time: 6 hours. Descending distance: 19 km
Accommodation standards
- Standard: Samora River Lodge
This tour ends after breakfast in the hotel. Our driver will collect you from the hotel at the arranged time to take you to the airport.
It is possible to extend your trip to Tanzania by visiting nearby national parks. Tarangire National Park and Ngorongoro Crater. Or visit cultural Tourism programs near Arusha before your departure time to the airport.
Costs & Inclusions
Standard Package Price
| Pax | 1 pax | 2 pax | 3 pax | 4 pax+ |
| Price | $2,490 | $1,980 | $1,820 | $1,790 |
- Airport Transfers (we pick you up on arrival day, and we take you back after the climb)
- Accommodation in Arusha at Samora River Lodge (two nights, bed and breakfast)
- Transfers from the Hotel to Kilimanjaro Marangu gate and from Marangu gate to the hotel
- Accommodation for all days on Kilimanjaro (Huts)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Kilimanjaro entrance fees/conservation fees
- Kilimanjaro Camping fees
- Rescue Fees and all taxes.
- Salaries for Porters, Cook, and Guides
- Oxygen Cylinder
- Oxygen Saturation Meter
- First Aid Kit
- Flying Doctors Emergency Service (before or after climb)
- International and local airfare
- Local transportation before and after the climb
- Personal expenses example: Laundry, beverages, etc.
- Lunch and Dinner at Samora River Lodge
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Private Toilet and hot shower tent
- Yellow fever vaccinations, Covid 19 test
- Passport and Visa
- Travelers Insurance ( recommended insurance coverage up to 6000 meters above sea level)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Helicopter Evacuation Cost in high Altitude (KilHighjaro SAR)
- Optional tours not mentioned in this itinerary
Click Here to View the Terms & Conditions or download a pdf file
Frequently Asked Questions
We are determined to ensure that you experience luxury and genuine memorable travel. On every trip, we aim to create a ‘charmed space’ within. Where you can relax. Absorb fresh insights. Be stimulated and Charmed by new Encounters, and have fun!
Whether traveling alone or with friends. Blessing Safaris guests often mention how particularly agreeable they find their traveling companions. Our groups are small, comprising 2 to 7 guests, especially for safari.
Our team researched and focused on trips that attract people with the same interest. People who naturally get well with each other through their shared interests.
Once you confirm your booking on a tour you will be sent further practical information. Packing tips, and detailed itineraries, including advice on health, passport, and visa requirements. The numbers of guests on tours.
Climbing Routes for Mount Kilimanjaro
There are seven official routes for mount Kilimanjaro climbing. Including Machame, Marangu, Lemosho, Umbwe route, Rongai, Shira route, and Mweka route.
The Marangu route can be used both for ascending and descending. Climbers from the Rongai route use the Marangu route for descending. While climbers from Machame, Umbwe, and Lemosho routes descend through the Mweka route.
Yes, there are flush toilets in Kilimanjaro . But only available in the Marangu route except at the base camp.
No, it is not recommended to smoke and drink alcohol. Also avoid depressant drugs on Kilimanjaro.
Getting Sick on Mount Kilimanjaro
Our guides will immediately provide first aid depending on the patient’s situation. You can proceed with the trek or descend to the low altitude depending on the nature of the sickness.
In case of serious issues, our staff will take you out of the mountain by using wheel stretchers. Or sometimes we can arrange for the emergency helicopter evacuation service.
You are supposed to carry your daypack to put on your staff for the day. It can be a camera, snacks, gloves, a hat, sunscreen. Other staff will be carried by the porters not more than 20kg per porter.
What About Cellular Network on Mount Kilimanjaro?
Yes, you will have a signal at almost every camp but not everywhere. You may experience some poor connections in other areas. Though the network coverage has been improving.
But to be true, don’t expect the signal to be strong as it comes back home. A quick option is to find a local operator’s SIM card for internet service since there is no wi-fi on the mountain.
You can arrange in advance with our team if your need for internet service is so important.
No, laundry service is not available on Mount Kilimanjaro. But, you will get a laundry service when you go back to your hotel.
Remember to pack enough clothes for changing. You may need help with the packing list don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
Sex During Mount Kilimanjaro climbing
Yes, but it is advised after reaching the top. It is better to save your energy for a successful summit. On the mountain peaks, air density is low. The air gets thinner as you rise.
So take it slow, as you will need breath to catch. If you don’t want to get exhausted, then avoiding having sex is ideal.
Although more than 200 languages and dialects are spoken throughout Africa. This presents no problem as English is spoken throughout East and Southern Africa.
Apart from English, all our professional guides are multilingual. So worry not we get you covered
Customer Reviews
Posted on TripadvisorVerified Life changing experience Our trip to Ngorongoro, the Serengeti and Tarangire National Park was life changing! We have a deeper appreciation for the culture in Africa, how people live very simple lives amongst the natural environment in which these wild animals live freely. Truly the best trip we ever have experienced!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Professionalism. Delight. Delicious. Incredible views. This is a team of true professionals. Everything was very clear and coordinated. Everything was on time. Discipline and professionalism. I can confidently recommend this company for climbing Kilimanjaro.Posted on TripadvisorVerified BEST SAFARI COMPANY🎉 We had the absolute privilege of booking our honeymoon safari with Blessings Safari, and we truly could not have asked for a more perfect experience. From start to finish, everything was seamless, thoughtful, and beyond our expectations.The owner, Elibariki, took such care in planning every detail for us. Each accommodation was not only beautiful, but also felt special and unique, which made our honeymoon even more memorable. You can really tell how much passion and heart he puts into his company.Our guide, Zoya, was incredible. His knowledge of the land, culture, and wildlife was astounding—he could spot animals we never would have seen on our own, and he shared so many stories and insights that made us feel deeply connected to Tanzania. On top of that, he was so kind, patient, and genuinely fun to spend time with. We always felt safe and well taken care of.Blessings Safari went above and beyond for us, and we are so grateful. This was the trip of a lifetime, and we will never forget the memories we made. If you are considering a safari in Tanzania, we wholeheartedly recommend choosing Blessings Safari—you will be in the best hands.Posted on TripadvisorVerified a dream holiday! We had a dream family holiday! All the conditions were met: first thanks to our guide Zoya for the safari party: his great experience in the field made us find a lot of animals with exciting information about their lifestyle. We also appreciated all his explanations about the country and the people. We also felt perfectly safe with him during the sometimes long journeys on dirt roads that are difficult to pass. In short, his kindness and professionalism were very valuable to us.Then on the logistics of the safari: Drinks and snacks available throughout the day and the picnics were delicious: hot meals, cooked daily with tablecloth and dishes. The hotels and lodges chosen lived up to our expectations!For the rest of the stay we went to Zanzibar where we spent 2 perfect nights at the tembo stone town hotel and ended up with a really seaside stay at the Amaan beach bungalows in nungwi for 3 days. It was perfect! A big thank you to Elikari for this millimetered organization that will make us extraordinary memories!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Unforgettable Safari Experience We had an unforgettable experience with Blessings Safari during our trip to Tanzania and Zanzibar! From start to finish, everything was handled with professionalism, care, and genuine warmth.Our main point of contact, Elibariki, was absolutely fantastic. He was incredibly responsive, clear with communication, and went above and beyond to make sure every detail of our itinerary was thoughtfully arranged. We always felt informed and supported, which gave us peace of mind throughout our journey.We were also extremely lucky to have Zoya as our safari guide. He was top notch—friendly, knowledgeable, and truly passionate about what he does. He made sure we were always comfortable and safe, and he had a great sense of humor that made the trip even more fun. We shared so many laughs and learned so much from him about the people, the different tribes, and of course, the amazing wildlife.We highly recommend Blessings Safari to anyone planning a trip to Tanzania. They made our dream adventure a reality and gave us memories we’ll cherish forever.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Unforgettable Honeymoon experience Blessing Safaris made our honeymoon unforgettable. From the moment we started talking to them, all the way to departure; they answered all my questions, gave sound advice, and set up amazing experiences. Zoya was our guide for the safari for 7 days, going to Tangire National Park, Lake Manyara, Ngorongoro Crater, Serengeti. He was so knowledgeable, compassionate, funny, and smart! We couldn't have asked for a better guide. We then had 3 days in Zanzibar, which we probably could have gone without the tours and just stayed at the all-inclusive to relax and been extremely happy. HIGHLY suggest using them to book your tour, don't be afraid to ask questions, tailor it to your own interests, and enjoy!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Blessing Safaris, Kilamangaro mountain ⛰️ climbing Blessing Safaris made our trip so memorable. What an amazing experience we had climbing kilamangaro mountain ⛰️. The staff was so friendly, so helpful, experienced, and most importantly kind. I would 100 percent recommend Blessing Safaris for all of you that read this review. And I would definitely go back there in the future and choose them over and over. What an amazing journey.Posted on TripadvisorVerified Great Experience, Great People! I don't know where to begin when it comes to the service and level of care and attention to detail Elibariki showed me when helping to customize my itinerary! He understood that I was on a tight budget and gave me a wonderful experience nonetheless, which I will cherish forever. From Tarangire, to Ngoro Ngoro, to climbing Kilimajaro, to Materuni waterfalls in Moshi! I had to skip Napuru Waterfalls due to a leg injury, and feet trauma from climbing Kilimajaro - that said, I still enjoyed every bit of my safari. I HIGHLY, HIGHLY, recommend Blessing Safaris for any of your customised trips. They will deliver everything to a T and pay very close attention to detail. In terms of flexibility - 10/10; customer support at any time (sorry for calling in late Eli) 10/10, personell and team - 10/10 (Shout out to Prosper, Loy - my Kilimanjaro guide, Moses, Abraham and of course, the main man, Elibariki who went above and beyond for me. I cannot wait to do the Serengeti with Blessing Safaris. Counting the days!It honestly didn't even feel like a budget safari!Posted on TripadvisorVerified Kilimanjaro It was an amazing experience! The team supported us in everything, they were very nice and created an amazing atmosphere all the days we spent there on Kilimanjaro. They were also very supportive the evening we climbed the pick and thanks to them we made it! 💪 highly recommended!!Posted on TripadvisorVerified The Safari 2024 My guide/driver Abney was amazing .He was very knowledgeable of the animal , vegetation ,Tarangire National Park,Ngorongoro and the Serengeti .He made sure you were comfortable and answered all questions . and was patient ie. wanted to stay in a spot longer to watch the animals no problem Blessings Safari did a great job and my safari days are very memorable
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