Kilimanjaro Marangu Route (5 Days)

The Marangu Route (also known as the Coca-Cola route) is the most popular route, partly because it is the least expensive route.

For this route, you don't need any mountain climbing skills, but you must be fit.
The trek starts at Marangu Gate. Porters will carry all your personal items, equipment and supplies and a cook prepares your meals.
The Marangu Route has a well-defined path, which has been well set out and where most obstacles have been modified to make it friendly. Marangu is the only route with huts (instead of camping).

It is a very scenic route with good views of Mawenzi and chances for viewing wildlife.
Marangu is (after Umbwe) the shortest route to the summit. This is not always the best way due to a shorter acclimatisation period.

To have better acclimatization it is possible to spend an extra acclimatisation day on the mountain. This extends the route to 6 days, greatly increasing your chances of reaching the summit.

Hut accommodation on the Marangu Route forms the main difference compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along the entire route.
Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on this route.

For the 6-day route, add an additional acclimatization day at Horombo Hut on the itinerary below (an extra day between day 3 and day 4).
On an extra day you can make a scenic walk towards Mawenzi Hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down).
The extra day helps to get used to the high altitude.

H Highlights

Kilimanjaro Trekking- Coca-Cola Route

1 Day 1 Kilimanjaro Airport - Moshi Town

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport in the evening, meet and greet by your guide, then make a short transfer to Moshi Town (35 minute drive) to the Hotel for an Overnight. Briefing about the Kilimanjaro climb by your guide. Your Kilimanjaro guide will also check your equipment. Anything missing can be rented the next day.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Panama Hotel (BB) or Kilimanjaro Park View Inn (BB

2 Day 2 Moshi Town – Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut

Marangu Gate (1.850m) - Mandara hut (2.700m)

Pick up from the hotel in Moshi Town, do some brief shopping around town before we leave the town and drive to Marangu Gate. Meet your Kilimanjaro team: guide, assistant guide, cook and porters.

The hiking starts to ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found. (An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail is possible). After some hours walking through the misty forest we reach Mandara Hut. This is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6 to 8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flushing toilets. After a good and warm dinner we take a good rest.

Accommodations: Mandara Hut (2.700m / 8,900ft)

3 Day 3 Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut

Mandara hut (2.700m) - Horombo Hut (3.700m)

After a good breakfast we start hiking again. The first part leads us through the misty forest, until we reach Maundi Crater, where the forest emerges into moorland. It is well worth a short detour to walk up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo Peak will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. In the open moorland you will see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants - the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel which can reach heights of 5m! After a beautiful walk we reach Horombo Hut, where you will have hot washing water and a good warm meal. Overnight in one of the huts.

Accommodations: Horombo Hut (3.700m / 12,100ft)

4 Day 4 Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut

Horombo Hut (3.700m) - Kibo Hut (4.700m)

After breakfast we ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. We walk through this strange and beautiful landscape to Kibo Hut. On our way we pass the last point where we will get our water for 2 days. Horombo Hut is a stone build block house which has beds for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut. The summit is now a further 1.195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask!

Accommodations: Kibo Hut (4.700m / 15,400ft)

5 Day 5 Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

Kibo Hut (4.700m) - Uhuru Peak (5.895m) - Horombo Hut (3.700m)

Your guide wakes you up before midnight and after a hot cup of tea and some biscuits you will start your trekking to the summit! When we reach Gillman's Point (5.700m / 18,700ft) we see a spectacular sunrise with Mawenzi in the background. We take a short rest to enjoy the spectacular view of the sunrise and Kibo Crater. We continue to walk on a relatively flat path, surrounded by beautiful glaciers, to reach the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro, Uhuru Peak (5.895m / 19,340ft). Enjoy your accomplishment and a day to remember for the rest of your live! After taking photos we start to descend to our base camp, Kibo Hut (2 to 3 hours walk). We reach the camp, where we will have a rest and a good lunch. After lunch we descend to Horombo Hut (about 3 to 4 hours). Exhausted, proud and excited we will have a well-deserved dinner and very good sleep.

Accommodations: Horombo Hut (3.700m / 12,100ft)

6 Day 6 Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi Town

Horombo Hut (3.700m) - Marangu Gate (1.850m)

After a good night's sleep we start our final descend to Marangu Gate. We go through the misty and beautiful forest again, all the way to Marangu Gate. The monkeys say goodbye and we realize we are about to end this great experience. After getting our certificates we will celebrate our Kilimanjaro adventure with our guides, cook and porters. We all did a great job! Transfer to your hotel for your much-needed shower and very comfortable bed.

Accommodations: Kilimanjaro Panama Hotel (BB) or Kilimanjaro Park View Inn (BB)

7 Day 7 Moshi Town - Kilimanjaro Airport

After a good night's sleep we wake up in our hotel where we will relax. Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home, or proceed with the second part of your Tanzanian holiday.

Flight (End of Service)

8 Includes