Nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” route because the route is popularized as easy and cheap. This, however, is a misconception as the route is more difficult due to the ‘not as good acclimatization profile’ as Machame/Rongai/Lemosho routes.
Day 1: Moshi to Marangu gate to Mandara hut
Distance: 9km
Hiking time: 3 hrs
You will be transferred to Marangu gate from the hotel and do a registration at the gate. Afterwards, you will begins trekking through the rain forest to Mandara hut. Here you will have an acclimatization opportunity of visiting Maundi Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara Hut.
Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-6 hrs
After breakfast you will out climb the rain forest and continue trekking to Horombo hut where you will trek through rolling moorlands and get your first clear view of towering Kilimanjaro.
Day 3: Horombo hut
(this day is omitted if choosing a 5 day itinerary).
Spend an extra day here at Horombo during the 6 day itinerary for acclimatization purposes. This day you will hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock to have your body adjust to higher altitudes. After this session you will return back to Horombo hut for lunch, resting until dinner and overnight.
Day 4: Horombo hut to Kibo hut
Distance: 13km
Hiking time: 5-6 hrs
After a good night rest and breakfast you will trek past the last water point to reach Kibo saddle a great desert between the two peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. An early dinner and overnight at Kibo hut.
Day 5: Summit Day Kibo Hut camp to Uhuru peak to Horombo Hut camp
Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down
Hiking time: 10-15 hrs
Wake at midnight to a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. Because you will climb to the summit in the dark you will need to have your headlamps / flashlights. It will also be very cold until you start descending, so you will need to have all of your warm layers. This is an important time to keep on slowly slowly (pole pole in Swahili). The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will have a views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak here you will spend some times for taking photo’s. After your summit photos and taking in the view, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment and continue down through re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.
Day 6: Horombo Huts camp to Marangu Gate to Moshi
Distance: 18km
Hiking time: 5-7 hrs
After a long sleep you will be awake for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu park gate. After the gate sign out, a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for your certificate presentation and celebration!
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Professional, experienced, mountain guides
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Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
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Hut accommodation
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Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
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All meals while on the Mountain
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Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
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Clean, purified drinking water
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Conservation fees (part of park fees)
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Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
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Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Tanzania Visa
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tips and gratuities
Travel insurance
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages