Route
6 Days Marangu Route
Duration
6 Days
Trek Highlights
Embark on an unforgettable 6-Day Kilimanjaro Trekking adventure via the Marangu Route, the only trail offering cozy hut accommodations for a comfortable climb. Known as the "Coca-Cola Route," this scenic path takes you through lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and striking volcanic landscapes, culminating at the awe-inspiring Uhuru Peak. Perfect for first-time climbers, this journey combines moderate challenges with expert guides to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Create lifelong memories as you conquer Africa’s highest peak and witness breathtaking sunrises above the clouds!
Itinerary
- Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara Hut (2700m)
- Day 2: Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
- Day 3: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Acclimatization Day
- Day 4: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
- Day 5: Summit Attempt - Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
- Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Day By Day Description
Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara Hut (2700m)
- Hiking time: 3-4 hours
- Distance: Approximately 12 kilometers.
- Habitat: Montane forest
After an early breakfast, you’ll be picked up in Arusha and driven to the Marangu Gate, where you’ll register with TANAPA as porters prepare for the hike. The ascent begins through the lush rainforest, where you may encounter rain, mud, fog, and even Colobus monkeys along the way. After 3-4 hours, you’ll arrive at Mandara Hut, featuring solar-lit sleeping bunks, flush toilets, and a campsite prepared by your porters. Enjoy a snack and dinner prepared by the chef, and be ready for chilly nighttime temperatures that may drop to freezing.
Overnight at Mandara Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 2: Mandara Hut (2700m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
- Habitat: Moorland
After breakfast, you’ll ascend from the rainforest into the heathen moorland, passing the Maundi Crater, where you can climb to its rim for breathtaking views of Kibo Crater. The moorland features unique plants like giant lobelia and groundsel, adding to the stunning scenery. After about 6 hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at Horombo Hut (3720m), a plateau-based shelter accommodating up to 120 hikers. Porters will provide water for drinking and washing, while the chef prepares snacks and dinner, with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight.
Overnight at Horombo Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 3: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Acclimatization Day
At Horombo Hut, you’ll spend the day acclimating to the high altitude. You can opt for a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) with your guide to enhance your acclimatization. Meals will be provided at the hut, with breakfast and dinner served onsite, while lunch can be packed or enjoyed at the hut based on your preference. This rest day is essential to prepare your body for the upcoming challenges of higher elevations.
Overnight at Horombo Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 4: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Kibo Hut (4700m)
- Hiking time: 6 hours
- Distance: Approximately 15 kilometers
- Habitat: Alpine desert
After an early breakfast, you’ll ascend into the alpine desert, choosing between two trails to reach Kibo Hut (4700m). The upper trail, used for the previous day’s Mawenzi Hut hike, is longer, while the lower trail is more popular for its shorter distance. Situated in the “Saddle” between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks, Kibo Hut offers mineral water and soft drinks for purchase, as there’s no natural water source. After an early dinner, your guide will provide a detailed briefing to prepare for the summit attempt later that night, with lights out by 19:00.
Overnight at Kibo Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 5: Summit Attempt - Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo Hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Your guide will wake you at 23:30 for tea and biscuits before beginning the summit attempt. The steep, rocky trail leads to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m) and continues to Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim, a remarkable achievement. From there, a snow-covered path takes you to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point of Mt. Kilimanjaro, where you can savor the triumph, take photos, and enjoy tea before descending. After a 3-hour hike back to Kibo Hut for a hot lunch and rest, you’ll continue down to Horombo Hut (3720m) for dinner, a wash, and well-deserved sleep.
Overnight at Horombo Hut. (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Day 6: Horombo Hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6 hours
Distance: Approximately 27 kilometers
After a hearty breakfast, your team will celebrate your achievement with singing and dancing, during which you’ll present tips to the guides, chefs, and porters. Following the festivities, you’ll descend for about 6 hours to Marangu Gate (1980m), where you’ll sign the park register and receive a certificate—green for reaching Gillman’s Point (5681m) and gold for Uhuru Peak (5895m). Afterward, you’ll return to Arusha for an overnight stay at Mt. Meru Hotel.
Departure day
On departure day, you’ll be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport in time for your flight.
Included
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides:
- All Park fees Airport transfers Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Oximeter
- Medical Kit
- Emergency oxygen
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Portable toilet
Excluded
- Flights
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending monies for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
