Marangu Route

6 Days | 5 Nights

From $1,800/ person

Your trip overview

The 6-day Mount Kilimanjaro climb via the Marangu route offers a journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, reaching the Uhuru peak. While completing the Marangu trek can take anywhere from 5 to 6 days, we highly recommend the 6-day itinerary over the 5-day variation. The additional day allows for better acclimatization, increasing your chances of successfully reaching the summit.

The primary distinction between the 5-day and 6-day Marangu routes lies in the inclusion of an extra acclimatization day.

Prior trekking experience is highly recommended for this journey, as each day will involve 6-8 hours of hiking with daily ascents ranging from 900m to 1,000m, occasionally reaching up to 1,100m to 1,200m.

Expect to encounter altitude and weather extremes, requiring both physical and mental strength to endure the long and exhausting days.Accommodation along the Marangu Route includes huts at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo, while the trek can be completed in 5 days, an additional day for acclimatization at Horombo Hut, the only campsite with beds and mattresses, is recommended.

The Marangu Route is often chosen by inexperienced hikers seeking the comfort of dormitory-style cabins, as it is the only trail providing this level of accommodation.

The route, also known as the “Coca Cola Route,” is popular for its relative ease and the availability of huts instead of tents for accommodation. Climbers ascend to Uhuru Peak from Kibo Hut, following a steep climb past Gilman’s Point. The short and steep ascent poses challenges due to limited time for acclimatization. Additionally, this route features the same ascent and descent paths, contributing to its popularity and high traffic.

Duration: 5 or 6 days, Difficulty: Medium, Scenery: Good, Traffic: High

The 6-day Marangu Route has a relatively low summit success rate of approximately 50%, primarily attributed to climbers rushing to reach the summit without taking an additional acclimatization day. Skipping this extra day significantly contributes to the lower average success rate of 50%. It emphasizes the importance of proper acclimatization to enhance climbers’ chances of reaching the summit successfully.

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Marangu Gate

Mount Kilimanjaro

Mandara Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro

Horombo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro

Kibo Hut

Mount Kilimanjaro

Planning Your Safari

Organizing a safari in Kenya, especially to the Masai Mara, can be overwhelming due to the many choices available for transport, accommodation, and activities.

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

Your 6-day Marangu route adventure begins with a journey from the hotel to the Marangu Gate. Upon arrival at the gate, complete the necessary check-in procedures at the office and make final preparations for the climb. Exiting the park gate, you’ll ascend through the mist-shrouded jungle along a well-defined ridge track.

This lush forest, adorned with mossy veils, harbors a rich variety of Kilimanjaro’s flora and fauna. Your first night’s accommodation awaits at Mandara Hut, a cluster of cozy wooden A-frame cabins nestled in a serene woodland clearing. The camp is equipped with spring-fed water facilities, and modern amenities including flush toilets are available behind the main cabin.

Elevation (m):
1879m to 2720m

Distance:
8km

Time:
3 hours

Habitat:
Montane Forest

Where to stay

Mandara Hut

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Leaving Mandara Hut behind, the trail leads through a brief stretch of woodland before transitioning into the zone between the rainforest and the moorland, near the base of the Maundi Crater.

After approximately 6 hours of hiking, we reach Horombo Hut, our accommodation for the night. Take advantage of the provided hot washing water for a refreshing experience.

Elevation (m):
2720m to 3720m

Distance:
11km,

Time:
5-6 hours.

Habitat:
Moorland.

Where to stay

Horombo Hut

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Zebra Rocks

This day is used for acclimatization to hike to Zebra Rocks and back to Horombo Hut for hot Lunch and rest. Zebra Rocks are the set of large volcanic with distinctive black and white stripes that resemble as Zebra. So, this day will help your body adjust to the altitude, although is optional, but it’s strongly recommended.

Elevation (m):
3720m to 4,020m

Distance:
3km,

Time:
2 hours.

Habitat:
Alpine desert.

Where to stay

Zebra Rocks

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Our journey continues upward into the alpine dry zone as we leave Horombo Hut behind. We reach the final water source at 4130 meters, where we fill our water bottles to capacity, ensuring we have enough water until we return to Horombo Hut in two nights.

With the summit now only 1195 meters away from Kibo Hut, we prepare for our summit ascent tonight. To maximize our rest, we retire to bed around 18:30 p.m., aiming to get as much sleep as possible before the challenging climb ahead

Elevation (m):
3720m to 4720m

Distance:
9.5km,

Time:
5 hours.

Habitat:
Alpine Desert.

Where to stay

Kibo Hut

Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

Your day begins early at 23:30 p.m. with a cup of tea and energizing snacks before embarking into the darkness for the final ascent to Kilimanjaro’s summit. The initial part of the hike is challenging, leading to Hans Meyer Point (5250m), a rewarding resting spot. The trail then winds its way up to Gillman’s Point (5681m) on the crater rim, characterized by steep slopes and rocky terrain, demanding significant physical and mental exertion.

From Gillman’s Point, snow is often encountered all the way to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. The duration of time spent at the summit depends on the weather conditions, allowing for photography before beginning the three-hour descent back to Kibo Hut.

After a short break, you retrieve any gear left behind during the ascent and descend (3 hours) to Horombo Hut for the night. Here, you enjoy your final meal on the mountain and settle in for a restful night, filled with memories and emotions stirred by the remarkable journey.

Elevation (m):
4700m to 5895m

Distance:
21 kilometers

Time:
Ascent Time: 6-7 hours / Descent Time: 3 hours

Habitat:
Stone scree and ice-capped summit.

Where to stay

Horombo Hut

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

The final day of our 6-day Marangu route tour begins with a descent lasting approximately 6 hours, leading us back to the Marangu Gate for our exit. At this point, we receive our well-earned summit certificates, commemorating our achievement.

Upon reaching Marangu Gate, transportation will be arranged to take you back to your hotel or the airport, marking the conclusion of our memorable journey.

Elevation (m):
3720m to 1879m

Distance:
19km,

Time:
6 hours.

Habitat:
Montane Forest.

Where to stay

Marangu Gate

Rates Per Person

The costs for the 6-day Marangu route package are as follows:

1PAX	2-5 PAX	6-10PAX	11+PAX
$2,193	$1,975 (per person)	$1,857 (per person)	$1,800 (per person)

Please let us know if you need information about climbing Mount Kilimanjaro on a full moon using the 6-day Marangu route, and we will provide you with the relevant dates and prices for the years 2025-2026.

Trekking Route

Inclusions & Exclusions

Inclusions

Pick up and drop off at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

2 nights hotel accommodation in Moshi (before & after the climb)

Breakfast included at the hotel

1 Post-climb celebratory drink (beer, juice, or soda) on us

Group transport to and from Moshi to ALL Kilimanjaro park gates

No additional transport fees will be charged to the Northern or Western route gates

Kilimanjaro National Park permits

Camping/Hut fees

Mountain rescue fees

Guides/Porters salaries

Private toilet for the party on all climbs (except for Marangu)

All season mountain tents

Foam sleeping pad (unless you opt to bring your own instead)

Mess tents, tables, chairs for parties of two or more

All meals on the mountain

No small party supplement fees will be charged

No single supplement fees for Private Climbs will be charged

Exclusions

Airfare

Personal Gear

Tips for porters & Guides

Tanzania Visa: $50 per person on arrival

Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)

Tips and any items of personal nature.

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Marangu Route

6 Days | 5 Nights

Your trip overview

Trip Destinations

where to visit

Marangu Gate

Mandara Hut

Horombo Hut

Kibo Hut

Planning Your Safari

Reviews and Rates

Full Itinerary

Day by Day

Where to stay

Where to stay

Where to stay

Where to stay

Where to stay

Where to stay

Rates Per Person

Trekking Route

Inclusions & Exclusions

Enquire this Tour

What our Client Say

Design your own trip

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