6 Day Kilimanjaro climbing Marangu route.

Overview

The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations in lieu of camping. There are 60 bunk beds each at 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 have 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 it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. However the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Marangu is unfortunately less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason.

Day to Day Itinerary

On arrival in Tanzania.

Arrival Location: Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi for dinner and overnight. A pre-climb briefing and gear check will be conducted in the evening to ensure you are fully prepared for the adventure ahead.

DAY 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts

Distance: 8.3 km / 5 mi
Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
Zone: Rainforest
Elevation: 1905m / 6250ft to 2723m / 8934ft
Altitude Gained: 818m

Departing from Moshi, a 1-hour drive takes you through the village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. While permits are being issued, enjoy the atmosphere as teams prepare for their trek.

Begin your hike through the lush rainforest on winding trails. Your guide will share insights about local flora and wildlife. The trail can be muddy and slippery — gaiters and trekking poles are highly recommended. Overnight at Mandara Huts.

DAY 2: Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts

Distance: 12.5 km / 7.8 mi
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
Zone: Moorland
Elevation: 2723m / 8934ft to 3721m / 12,208ft
Altitude Gained: 998m

After breakfast, the trail ascends out of the rainforest into heathland. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels as the scenery changes to open moorland. Stop halfway for lunch and enjoy panoramic views of Mawenzi Peak. Arrive at Horombo Huts in the late afternoon. Temperatures begin to drop with increasing altitude. Overnight at Horombo Huts.

DAY 3: Horombo Huts – Acclimatization Day

Spend the day resting or taking a short acclimatization hike to Mawenzi base camp, then return to Horombo Huts. This day helps your body adapt to the altitude and increases your chances of a successful summit. It also gives you more time to enjoy the scenery and mountain atmosphere.

DAY 4: Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts

Distance: 10.5 km / 6 mi
Hiking Time: 6–8 hours
Zone: Semi-Desert
Elevation: 3721m / 12,208ft to 4714m / 15,466ft
Altitude Gained: 993m

Continue ascending through heathland that transitions into a barren, alpine desert. Cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, a wide and desolate landscape. Stop for lunch along the way, then reach Kibo Huts in the afternoon. Rest and prepare for your midnight summit attempt.

DAY 5: Kibo Huts – Summit – Horombo Huts

Ascent Distance: 6.25 km / 3.9 mi
Descent Distance: 15.75 km / 9.8 mi
Hiking Time: 11–13 hours total
Zones: Arctic and Moorland
Elevation: 4714m / 15,466ft to 5895m / 19,341ft (Uhuru Peak)
Descent to: 3721m / 12,208ft
Altitude Gained: 1181m
Altitude Lost: 2174m

Start your summit push between midnight and 2 a.m. Ascend in a switchback formation through scree and possibly snow to reach Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. Take a brief rest, then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

Celebrate your achievement with photos and a moment to reflect, then begin your descent back to Horombo Huts. The descent is steep and can be tiring — trekking poles are strongly recommended.

DAY 6: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi

Distance: 20 km / 12.5 mi
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Zone: Rainforest
Elevation: 3721m / 12,208ft to 1905m / 6250ft
Altitude Lost: 1816m

After breakfast and a farewell ceremony with your crew, descend through the rainforest. Stop for lunch at Mandara Huts before continuing to the Marangu Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificates.

A vehicle will meet you at the gate for your return transfer to Moshi (approximately 45 minutes).

Inclusion

• Pick-up and drop-off at 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;
• All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
• One night at Salinero hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant ); Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Almighty Kilimanjaro Tents).
• Breakfast in the hotel before and after 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).
• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
• All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
• GPS-tracking service;
• Complete medical kits.
• 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 10+years of successful mountaineering experience;
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).

Exclusion

• Pick-up and drop-off at 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;
• All park fees collected by the Kilimanjaro National Park ( conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all other fees collected by the Tanzania National Parks Authority).
• One night at Salinero hotel before the expedition and one night after; The hotels have everything for your comfortable stay - caring staff, nice rooms, reliable Wi-Fi, restaurant ); Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern, comfortable 4-Season tents North Face VE-25 or Almighty Kilimanjaro Tents).
• Breakfast in the hotel before and after 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).
• 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
• All group equipment (spacious and comfortable dining tent, camping table and chairs, crockery and cutlery);
• Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
• GPS-tracking service;
• Complete medical kits.
• 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 10+years of successful mountaineering experience;
• Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).