Explore Tours
The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest route on Kilimanjaro, offering sleeping huts instead of camping. The huts have bunk beds, dining halls, and basic washrooms. It is popular for its easier, gradual slope, but acclimatization can be challenging due to its short duration. Advance booking is necessary due to limited accommodation availability. The route is less scenic than others as the ascent and descent follow the same path. If you book your Kilimanjaro trip with Trust Tours And Safari Company Tanzania, we offer two options: Luxury and mid-range.
Tour Plan
Take a short drive from Arusha town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m.) lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through the attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m.). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich birdlife at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. [3-5 hours walking to Mandara Hut] 5 days Marangu route
The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m.). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning, the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds. [4-6 hours walking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut]
Through Desert Saddle we climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to screed and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m.) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday and the afternoon is free (to contemplate the summit ascent!!). The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night! [4-5 hours walking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut]
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that we can be up at Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over the loose volcanic screen, but there are some well-graded zig-zag and a slow but steady pace will have us up to Gillman’s (5,685 m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast and we return to Horombo Hut for the night. [11-15 hours walking from Kibo Hut to Gillman’s Point]
We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates to Moshi or Arusha town. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day, and it really makes you realize how varied the scenery on Kilimanjaro really is. [5-6 hours walking]
We recommend you can extend your stay a little breeze on Zanzibar beaches or Ngorongoro Crater safari for at least 3 days.
Why we’re different
- Focus: Unlike most of our competitors, we focus exclusively on providing affordable tour packages and group tours to foreign, largely exotic destinations. In the travel business, it is particularly easy to get distracted by new trends and themes, but we have chosen to focus on what we do best. We are extremely deliberate in introducing new tours because we have set a standard that our loyal customers have come to rely on, and we are committed to meeting and exceeding your expectations.
- Phenomenal Tour Guides:
- If you ask anyone who has been on an escorted tour, they will tell you that the tour guides are an essential ingredient to making the trip a success. The importance of tour guides is not lost on us at Trust Tours And Safaris Company Limited, which is why we are relentless in our pursuit and retention of the very best tour guides. We are proud to say with confidence that our tour guides are phenomenal, and many of them have become celebrity-like figures within the Trust Tours And Safaris Company Limited community.
Included/Exclude
- What is included in the Kilimanjaro Package?
- Transfers:
- Pick-up and drop-off at Arusha/Kilimanjaro International Airport;
- Transfer to the trailhead - entry gate to Kilimanjaro National Park.
- Pick-up at the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park and transfer to the hotel;
- Entry fees:
- All park fees are collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fees, rescue fees, and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
- Accommodation: One night at a 3*- 4* hotel ( Parotia Hotel) before the expedition. The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool, hot shower).
- Hut with proper bed accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Please note:
- All accommodation is on a sharing basis (i.e. you will be sharing with your travel companion a twin/double room in the hotel and a tent during the hike. If you travel alone, we will match you with a same-sex adventurer).
- Meals:
- Breakfast in the hotel before the hike;
- All meals on the hike. Our Kilimanjaro diet includes energy-rich and highly nutritious meals prepared by our professional high-altitude cooks. A typical diet on Kilimanjaro includes different soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables; vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
- All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
- Hiking and safety equipment
- 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- The Helicopter rescue is free (book with us so we can give you the helicopter)
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
- GPS-tracking service;
- Complete medical kits.
- Climbing crew:
- Professional guides, licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All our guides are the holder of Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid certifications. All our guides have 7+years of successful mountaineering experience;
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
- Local airfares, International airfares.
- International Travel Insurance
- Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival.
- Alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the ascent);
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above on those arrival and departures days
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc.)
- Tips for guides 20$ cooks 15$ and porters 10$ per day
- Any items of a personal nature.
