Quick facts
- Duration
- 5 Days
- Location
- Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
- Summit
- Not guaranteed
Overview
Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, 5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. The Marangu route is the oldest, most well-established route. Many favour the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodations.
The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.
However, despite its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Marangu is favoured only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred.
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 1
Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts
7K /MI | 4-5 HRS | RAINFOREST. Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2740m/9000ft. Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.
Accommodation: Mandara Huts
Day 2
Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts
11KM/3MI | 6-8HRS | MOORLAND. Elevation: 2740m/9000ft to 3690m/12,100ft. After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, through heathland, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels. Continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, to enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts late afternoon beneath the spectacular Kibo Summit viewpoint. Temperatures begin to drop.
Accommodation: Horombo Huts
Day 3
Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts
10KM/6MI | 6-8HRS | SEMI-DESERT. Elevation: 3690m/12,100ft to 4695m/15,400ft. After breakfast, we continue on through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Here while we stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.
Accommodation: Kibo Huts
Day 4
Kibo Huts – Summit – Horombo Huts
4KM /2.5 MI UP | 5-7HRS | – HOROMBO HUTS: 14KM /9MI DOWN | 5-6HRS | GLACIERS, SNOW CAPPED SUMMIT. Elevation: 4695m/15,400ft to 5895m/19,340ft. Descent to 3690m/12,100ft. Early start between midnight and 2 a.m. Ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow towards Gillman’s Point on the crater rim, then continue about 1 hour to Uhuru Peak. After photos and celebrations, descend to Horombo Huts for overnight.
Accommodation: Horombo Huts
Day 5
Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi
18KM/11MI |6-7HRS | RAINFOREST. Elevation: 3690m/12,100 to 1830m/6000ft. After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation with your crew, continue the descent stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. You return back to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Overnight Bristol Cottages B&B.
Included
- Park fees, camping fees, Hut fees & rescue fees
- Twice a day medical health checkup, monitoring with pulse-oximeter and stethoscope with basic first kit
- Oxygen Cylinder
- Orientation meeting in Moshi and gear check as well.
- 18% Value Added Tax on tour fees & services
- Accommodation in the Mountain Huts
- Airport pick up and drop off
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Medically qualified mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 Meals while on the mountain + evening tea with popcorn or peanuts.
- Hot water for washing up daily and treated water for drink while climbing.
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Moshi. Bed & Breakfast Basis with storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- 3-4 porters per climber, which includes porters to carry up to 30 lbs of your personal gear.
- Kilimanjaro certificate for your successful summit attempt.
Excluded
- Flights ( International)
- Alcoholic and soft drinks
- Tips for safari guide
- Personal expenses in nature such as money for souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees etc.
- Visa fees ( 100 USD for American and 50 USD for non-American)
- Immunization documents ( yellow fever recommended for visa processing on arrivals)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and /or park fees
Need a custom itinerary?
Tell us your travel dates, group size and interests, and our Moshi team can help plan a tailored Kilimanjaro and/or safari itinerary.
- Standard trip: choose a published itinerary, request it, confirm the details with the team, then pay the confirmed deposit.
- Custom trip: share dates, group size and interests. The team plans the itinerary, sends a quotation, and confirms it before any deposit.
