The Marangu route, known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is Kilimanjaro’s oldest and most well-established route. This is the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations instead of camping. There are 60 bunk beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required. The huts feature communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long-drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut.
Many favor Marangu because, given its gradual slope and direct path, it is considered the most straightforward path on the mountain. However, the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization reasonably tricky. As a result, hikers may face altitude-related issues despite the easier incline.
The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Unfortunately, Marangu is less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent follow the same path. For this reason, it is also the most crowded route, with a higher number of climbers compared to other routes on the mountain.
Per Person
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel for overnight accommodation. The Hotel offers a tranquil and luxurious retreat with an outdoor swimming pool for travellers seeking a unique experience. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing and gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Departing from Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel, a 1-hour drive will take you through the Village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path through the heathland, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels.
After breakfast, we continue through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Here, while we stop for lunch, and later, when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.
Excitement builds as morning arrives, starting early between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
We continue to the summit in a switchback formation, trying to stay warm and focused on the fantastic sense of accomplishment ahead. With a switchback motion, we ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow towards Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here, you will likely encounter snow on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Congratulations, one step at a time, you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We then begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down, stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters since you will leave them here. You return to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep, and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. A vehicle will drive you from the gate to your hotel in Arusha. Gran Melia Hotel Arusha. An oasis within Arusha set out on 18 acres of beautifully landscaped coffee and tea plantations—pure tranquillity with spectacular views of Mount Meru. Offers Excellent service. ✓ Amazing views ✓ Free Wi-Fi ✓ Gym ✓ Sauna ✓ Spa ✓ Wellness.
Our representative will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight departure. Take the memories, the sense of accomplishment, and the everlasting bond with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. If you decide to go on a Tanzania Safari, that’s a different adventure, and we’ll take care of that for you!
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred to Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel for overnight accommodation. The Hotel offers a tranquil and luxurious retreat with an outdoor swimming pool for travellers seeking a unique experience. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing and gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Departing from Pink Flamingo Boutique Hotel, a 1-hour drive will take you through the Village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path through the heathland, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels.
After breakfast, we continue through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Here, while we stop for lunch, and later, when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.
Excitement builds as morning arrives, starting early between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
We continue to the summit in a switchback formation, trying to stay warm and focused on the fantastic sense of accomplishment ahead. With a switchback motion, we ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow towards Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here, you will likely encounter snow on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Congratulations, one step at a time, you have reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We then begin our steep descent to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. A well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Mweka Camp.
After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down, stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters since you will leave them here. You return to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep, and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. A vehicle will drive you from the gate to your hotel in Arusha. Gran Melia Hotel Arusha. An oasis within Arusha set out on 18 acres of beautifully landscaped coffee and tea plantations—pure tranquillity with spectacular views of Mount Meru. Offers Excellent service. ✓ Amazing views ✓ Free Wi-Fi ✓ Gym ✓ Sauna ✓ Spa ✓ Wellness.
Our representative will transfer you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight departure. Take the memories, the sense of accomplishment, and the everlasting bond with the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro. If you decide to go on a Tanzania Safari, that’s a different adventure, and we’ll take care of that for you!
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The Machame route is the most popular route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the choice of many people because it provides impressive views and various habitats. About 50% of all climbers, including most seasoned climbers, choose the Machame route for their trip.
The Machame route is nicknamed the ‘Whiskey Route’ because it is considered more complex than the ‘Coca-Cola Route’, the nickname for the Marangu route. In reality, it is not more technically tricky, but it is longer and, in places, steeper. As a result, the trail can be more physically demanding, requiring greater stamina. Nevertheless, it offers a more varied and scenic experience compared to the Marangu route, making it a popular choice for those seeking a greater challenge on Mount Kilimanjaro.
The Machame route is considered challenging due to its distance and elevation gain. The up-and-down nature of the trail is strenuous, requiring climbers to ascend and descend repeatedly, which can be tiring. However, it has a decent acclimatization schedule, making it moderately complex. Therefore, while the route is physically demanding, the opportunity for gradual acclimatization helps improve the chances of a successful summit. As a result, many climbers find it a good balance between challenge and preparation for high-altitude conditions.
