6 Days, 5 Nights
Price from
| $1,897 |
The 6 Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route is one of the most popular ways to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It is often called the “Coca-Cola Route” because it is the oldest and most established trail on the mountain.
This is the only Kilimanjaro route that offers hut accommodation instead of camping. You sleep in shared huts with bunk beds. Mandara Hut and Kibo Hut each have 60 beds, while Horombo Hut has 120. Mattresses and pillows are provided, but you need your own sleeping bag. The huts include dining areas and basic toilets, with better facilities at lower camps and simpler ones at higher altitudes.
Many climbers choose the Marangu Route because it has a gradual slope and a direct path to the summit. This makes it one of the easier routes to follow. However, the shorter itinerary gives your body less time to adjust to altitude, which lowers the success rate compared to longer routes.
The route starts from the southeast side of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is less scenic than other routes because you use the same path for both ascent and descent. Due to its comfort and simplicity, it is also the busiest route on the mountain.
Day 1
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
Acclimatization Day
Accommodation: Moor Land
Meal Plan: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Meal : Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Kibo Huts – Gilman’s Point – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Huts
Accommodation: No Accommodation
After breakfast, leave Arusha and head to Kilimanjaro National Park’s southeast entrance, also known as Marangu Gate. When you arrive at Marangu Gate, you will have time to check in and register. This is where you will begin your Kilimanjaro ascent. The first leg of this route takes you through the woods and rainforest, where you can see eucalyptus trees and a variety of birds. If you’re lucky, you might spot a Colobus monkey or two; keep an eye out for black or white fur! Make sure you have the right equipment and footwear because the soil at low altitudes can be wet and muddy.
Accommodation
Mandara Hut.
Hiking: 5–7 hours
Overnight altitude: ~8,858.
Habitat: rainforest.
On day two, you leave the forest behind and enter open moorland. The landscape changes quickly, with wide views and fewer trees. As you hike, you will see the sharp peaks of Mawenzi Peak rising high above the plains.
At this altitude, some climbers start to feel the effects of altitude sickness. Watch your body closely and inform your guide if you notice any symptoms.
You will reach Horombo Hut in the afternoon. After arrival, you get time to rest, unpack, and enjoy clear views of Kibo Peak before dinner.
Accommodation : Horombo Hut
Hiking: 5-7 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~12,205
Habitat: Heath/Moorland
You will spend an extra day at the Horombo Huts to allow your body to acclimate to the increasingly high altitude. If you are sick or exhausted, you must stay at camp and relax. However, if you are acclimatized to the altitude, you are welcome to walk up to Mawenzi Hut and enjoy the breathtaking views of Kibo and Mawenzi. Maintain a steady pace as you walk the route and admire the breathtaking scenery. Otherwise, you can visit the remarkable Zebra Rocks. This requires a climb of 310 metres.
Hiking: 1-2 hours
Overnight Altitude: ~14,400
Habitat: Heath/Moorland
On day 4, you will walk through varied and strikingly picturesque landscapes. To begin, you will continue across the heath as it slowly turns into the parched, desolate highlands between Mawenzi and Kibo. The scenery here is littered with huge and small volcanic rocks, acting as a testament to the volcanic activity of years past. The final stretch to the Kibo Huts is very steep and physically challenging.
Once you arrive at the Kibo Huts, it is time to organize your equipment and warm clothes for tomorrow’s journey to the peak. To prevent freezing, keep any water your plan on bringing in a thermos. Get to bed early, as the next day’s trek requires a full night’s sleep worth of energy. You are getting ready to take on Kilimanjaro’s ultimate challenge!
Hiking: 5-7 Hours
Overnight Altitude: ~15,430
Habitat: Alpine Desert
When you wake up around midnight, you have just enough time for a small meal before starting your nightly hike. Many hikers consider the difficult terrain, which is littered with loose rocks, to be the most difficult aspect of the climb. The goal is to get to Gilman’s Point by dawn. This is to ensure that you can reach Kibo’s highest point, Uhuru, shortly after sunrise. There will be a quick stop at Gilman’s Point to take in the breathtaking views. After that, you’ll continue along the crater’s edge to Uhuru, which is the final leg of the ascent and has a steady incline.
Depending on when you travel, you may encounter snow on the final stretch of the path to Uhuru Peak, Africa’s highest point and the summit of Kilimanjaro. As you reach the summit, at an elevation of 5,895, you can congratulate yourself while taking in the breathtaking view and taking a photo in front of the Uhuru Peak sign.
Now it is time to return to the Kibo Huts; you will notice that this section goes by quickly. You will stop at the Kibo Huts to relax and eat a much-needed lunch before continuing on to the Horombo Huts for a well-deserved full night’s sleep.
Hiking: 4-5 Hours
Overnight Altitude: ~12,205
As we make our final descent through the rainforest to the Marangu Gate, we’ll eat lunch and say goodbye to our mountain crew. After that, we’ll leave Mount Kilimanjaro National Park and head back to Arusha for a much-needed shower and celebratory dinner!
Hiking: 5-7 Hours
Overnight Altitude: `1,843
Habitat: Alpine Desert
| Price per person (2 pax) | $2,048 |
| Price per person (4 pax) | $1,947 |
| Price per person (6 pax) | $1,897 |
Unlike most Kilimanjaro routes, the Marangu Route uses mountain huts at each camp, providing beds, blankets, and basic facilities, offering more comfort than tented camps.
The route passes through lush rainforest, alpine moorlands, and volcanic landscapes. Hikers may spot colobus monkeys, various birds, and small antelopes along the lower sections.
Essential items include warm clothing, trekking boots, gloves, hat, sunscreen, trekking poles, a headlamp, a small daypack, and a reusable water bottle. Layering is important for varying temperatures.
Yes, it is one of the most beginner-friendly routes, thanks to gradual ascents, hut accommodation, and clearly marked trails. Proper fitness and preparation are still required.
Yes. All treks include experienced guides, porters to carry luggage, and cooks. Guides ensure safety, monitor acclimatization, and provide support throughout the climb.
Yes, the 6-day plan can be adjusted to include extra acclimatization days, combine with safari trips, or accommodate personal pace preferences.
