Marangu Route (6 DAY SCENIC CLIMB)

Hero divider

Your Marangu Route Itinerary

Known as the "Coca-Cola Route," this is the only route that offers sleeping huts with basic amenities

Arrival Day
DAY 1

Arrive Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)

You will be met upon your arrival in JRO and transfer to your hotel in Arusha Town.

Accommodation & Meals: Tulia Boutique Hotel & SPA (Bed & Breakfast) www.tuliahotelandspa.com
Marangu Gate
DAY 2

Marangu Gate (1,870m) to Mandara Hut (2,700m)

The Marangu Route begins at Marangu Gate on the South-East side of Mount Kilimanjaro. At the gate you will meet your trekking team, register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest and takes 5-7 hours to complete. Your first night is spent in the Mandara A-frame Huts which come equipped with solar generated lighting, flush toilets and water piped in from a nearby mountain stream.

Accommodation & Meals: Mandara Hut (B, L, D)
Distance: 8km / 5 miles
Time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Horombo Hut
DAY 3

Mandara Hut (2,700m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)

The trek continues through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you should take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo. During the trek you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude.

Accommodation & Meals: Horombo Hut (B, L, D)
Distance: 11.5km / 7 miles
Time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest/Low Alpine zone
Acclimatization Day
DAY 4

Acclimatization Day at Horombo

We spend the day acclimatizing at Horombo by hiking to the nearby Mawenzi and surrounding area then return to the hut for a hot lunch.

Accommodation & Meals: Horombo Hut (B, L, D)
Time: 4-5 hours hike to Mawenzi Hut
Zone: Low Alpine zone
Kibo Hut
DAY 5

Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Kibo Hut (4,700m)

Today you will depart from Horombo Hut early and begin a 1,000-meter ascent to Kibo Hut. On your way, you will pass the last water point at 4,130 meters. Make sure to fill up your water reserves here. At Kibo Hut you will be served an early dinner and should try get to bed before 19:00 as you will be awoken around 23:30 to start your final ascent to Uhuru Peak.

Accommodation & Meals: Kibo Hut (B, L, D)
Distance: 10km / 6 miles
Time: 5-7 hours
Zone: High Alpine zone
Summit Day
DAY 6

Kibo Hut (4,700m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and then Horombo Hut (3,720m)

After being awoken you will be served some hot tea and biscuits and will then begin your summit ascent. The route follows a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. It then continues to zigzag until you get to Gilman's Point on Kibo's crater rim. The final push is tough and requires mental stamina. At Uhuru Peak you will not be able to stay too long so make sure to spare a moment to enjoy your success and take a few photos before you begin your descent back to Kibo Hut, and onto Horombo Hut.

Accommodation & Meals: Horombo Hut (B, L, D)
Distance: 5.5km ascent / 15km descent
Time: 6-8 hours ascent + 5-8 hours descent
Zone: Glacial and all preceding zones
Descent Day
DAY 7

Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,870m)

The last day, from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate is nearly 20km but usually only takes about 7 hours to complete. At Marangu Gate you will be presented with your certificate, either for Gilman's Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you managed to get). It is customary to present your trekking team with their hard-earned tips at this point. You will then be driven back to your hotel where celebrations can begin.

Accommodation & Meals: Tulia Boutique Hotel & SPA (Bed & Breakfast) www.tuliahotelandspa.com
Distance: 20km / 12.5 miles
Time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone

About the Marangu Route

The Marangu Route, known as the "Coca-Cola Route," is the only route that offers sleeping huts with basic amenities. This popular route features comfortable accommodations and a more gradual ascent profile compared to other routes.

Price Includes

  • Pick up & drop off Airport Transfer
  • Transport from the hotel in Arusha to the mountain and back to the Hotel
  • Kilimanjaro national park permits, camping/hut fees, mountain rescue fees, value added tax (VAT), and all other applicable local government taxes/fees
  • Services of Guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
  • Accommodation in Arusha for 2 nights (before & after the climb), including breakfast and taxes
  • Meals on the mountain
  • Drinking water: Boiled water on the trek (recommended to bring a filter/filtrating tablets), and bottled water on the safari
  • Bottled oxygen for emergency rescue only
  • Oximeter

Price Excludes

  • Airfare
  • Items of personal nature
  • Climbing gears (most can be rented on arrival)
  • Tips to the climbing crew
  • Medical Equipment which can be rented well in advance for the following costs: $250/group for hyperbaric chamber and $140/group for a stretcher
  • Bottled oxygen for emergency rescue only ($90)

Important Notes

  • Porter packs are limited to 35 pounds (15kg)
  • Overweight luggage requires extra porter at $10/day
  • You can leave extra luggage at hotel in Arusha (get receipt for valuables)
  • If you want to acclimate well, an extra day is recommended for $320pp

Essential Gear

Clothing

  • Insulated jacket and thermal layers
  • Moisture-wicking base layers
  • Warm hat and sun hat
  • Gloves (insulated and lightweight)

Equipment

  • Sturdy broken-in hiking boots
  • High UV protection sunglasses
  • Headlamp with extra batteries
  • Trekking poles (highly recommended)

Porter Welfare Notice

We strictly adhere to Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project guidelines. Porters carry maximum 20kg (including their own gear) and receive proper equipment, food, and wages.

Tip Recommendation: $20-25/day for guides, $15-20/day for assistant guides, $10/day for cooks, $8-10/day for porters

Popular Safari Itineraries

Shape

Get the most of everything, through the already planned and mostly requested safari plans

Menu

Authentic Tanzania Safari

Menu

Migration Tracking

Menu

Adventure Safari

Menu

Migration Trecking Kenya and Tanzania

Menu

Gorilla Trekking