5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
5 Days, 4 Night
Price On Request
Tour Overview
5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route: The Marangu (Coca-Cola) route is the most popular route up Kilimanjaro, hence the name. The trail leads from Marangu village through heather and moorland to the alpine saddle desert between Mawenzi and Kibo. Only half of trekkers reach the crater rim at Gillman’s Point. It’s a relatively smooth trail that winds through stunning scenery that changes dramatically every day.
The five-day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route tests most climbers. The acclimatization period remains short. The overnight climb to the summit necessitates excellent physical condition and mental focus. The trail from the highest hut to the summit becomes steeper and more rocky. Many climbers find this section challenging.
Except for Kibo Hut, which is a stone building with separate rooms, all accommodations along this route are in A-frame huts. All sleeping huts offer foam mattresses and pillows on wooden bunk beds. Dining huts provide benches and tables for meals. Every hut has a toilet. All huts, except Kibo, have running water.
Tour Summary
Day 1
Marangu Gate (5,900 Ft/ 1,800 M) ~ Mandara Hut (8,860 Ft/ 2,700 M)
Accommodation: Mandara Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 2
Mandara Hut ~ Horombo Hut (12 200 Ft/ 3 720 M)
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3
Horombo Hut ~ Kibo Hut (15 430 Ft/ 4 703 M)
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Kibo Hut ~ Peak Uhuru (19,340 Ft/ 5,895 M) ~ Horombo Hut (12,200 Ft/ 3,720 M)
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Horombo Hut ~ Marangu Gate (5,900 Ft/ 1,800 M) ~ Arusha
Accommodation: No Accommodation
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Day by day
Day 1: Marangu Gate (5,900 Ft/ 1,800 M) ~ Mandara Hut (8,860 Ft/ 2,700 M)
Depart Arusha at 8:00 a.m. and travel approximately 2 hours to Marangu village. Once you arrive at the gate, complete the paperwork and meet the porters and guides before beginning the 4-5 hour walk to Mandara Hut. The walk to the hut is leisurely and takes you through dense, wet forest. If you’re feeling energetic at the end of the day, take a walk to the nearby Maundi Crater for a panoramic view of the plains and Lake Jipe, as well as the Paré and Usambara Mountains.
Accommodation
Mandara Hut | Dinner
Day 2: Mandara Hut ~ Horombo Hut (12 200 Ft/ 3 720 M)
After about 45 minutes in the forest, the trail transitions to tall grass in the heath zone. The landscape becomes quieter and more open as you progress into the moorland.
After 5 to 6 hours of walking, you arrive at Horombo Hut, which offers a clear view of Mawenzi Peak. You spend the night in a hut.
Accommodation
Horombo Hut. Dinner included.
Day 3: Horombo Hut ~ Kibo Hut (15 430 Ft/ 4 703 M)
The trek will last about six to seven hours. You will cross the dry and open alpine desert that lies between Kibo and Mawenzi.
At 14,100 feet (4,300 meters), the last place to get fresh water is where you will need to fill your water bottles. Porters will bring the rest of the water needed for hot drinks and food.
The saddle crossing is amazing, and the view is breathtaking.
Accommodation
Kibo Hut | Dinner
Day 4: Kibo Hut ~ Peak Uhuru (19,340 Ft/ 5,895 M) ~ Horombo Hut (12,200 Ft/ 3,720 M)
You wake up before midnight to drink hot tea or coffee. Departure takes place between 12:30 and 1:00 am. At night, the temperature drops below freezing. At 5,685 meters, near dawn at Gillman’s Point, the temperature drops to between minus 12 and minus 23 degrees Celsius. You climb steady switchbacks on loose scree all night long. When the sun rises, the peaks of Mawenzi can be seen above the clouds against a red sky. You get to the edge of the crater near the Ratzel Glacier after about six hours of hiking.
You take a short break at Gillman’s Point. You then walk for another 1.5 hours along a gentle trail around the edge of the crater to Uhuru Peak, which is 5,895 meters high, the highest point. After a short time at the top, you go down a steep scree trail to Kibo Hut to rest. You keep going to Horombo Hut for the night.
Accommodation
Horombo Hut. Full board.
Day 5: Horombo Hut ~ Marangu Gate (5,900 Ft/ 1,800 M) ~ Arusha
Walk straight to the Marangu Gate. It will take you about six hours to get there. Your crew will greet you, give you the success summit certificate, and celebrate your success. When you get to the gate, you’ll have lunch and then be taken to Arusha according to your schedule. This will mark the end of your 5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route.
Price
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Inclusions
- Safety Equipment:
- Professional Mountain Guides, all head guides (at least 1 per trip) currently certified by NOLS USA as WFR (Wilderness First Responder)
- Park Fees
- Campsite fees
- Emergency Rescue Fees
- Camping equipment and other gears:
- Mountain Meals
- Transfer from the hotel to the starting point
- Transfer from the last point to the hotel
Exclusions
- Accommodation upon arrival and last day
- Tips for a mountain guide, recommended 15-20 per group per day
- Porters 5 – 10$ per porter per group per day
- Personal expenses
- Personal items
- Personal insurance/travel insurance
- Personal medicines/first aid kit
- Personal trekking gears
- Sleeping bag
Tour Map
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A typical climb takes 5 days, including 4 days of trekking and a summit attempt on the 5th day, giving climbers enough time to acclimatize and increase success chances.
The Marangu Route is unique for its hut accommodation at each campsite, providing beds, blankets, and basic facilities, which is more comfortable than camping on other routes.
Hikers will enjoy lush rainforest, alpine moorlands, and crater landscapes. You may spot colobus monkeys, various bird species, and small antelopes along the lower sections of the route.
Essential items include warm clothing, trekking boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen, water bottles, trekking poles, a headlamp, and a small daypack. Layers are important for varying temperatures.
Yes, it is considered the most beginner-friendly route, thanks to its gradual ascent, hut accommodation, and well-marked trails, but climbers must still be physically prepared.
Yes, all treks include professional guides, porters for luggage, and cooks. Guides ensure safety, track pace, and offer support during the climb.
Yes, the 5-day plan can be adjusted to include extra acclimatization days, be combined with safari experiences, or adjust for personal pace.