← Back to Tanzania Experiences
Moshi · Kilimanjaro Region · Tanzania
5-Day Mt Kilimanjaro Trekking - Marangu Route
Starting From
From $2,207.25 per person
Current Project Expedition rate
Experience inventory, live availability and secure booking provided by
Project Expedition
The Experience
What your day looks like
Embark on an unforgettable journey up the legendary Mount Kilimanjaro via the 5-day Marangu Route, also known as the "Coca-Cola" route. This classic trek is the most popular and well-established path to the summit, offering comfortable hut accommodations and stunning panoramic views. As you ascend through lush rainforests, alpine meadows, and the unique lunar landscape near the summit, you'll experience one of the most scenic and direct routes to the Roof of Africa. Whether you're a seasoned climber or a first-time adventurer, the Marangu Route provides a rewarding and exhilarating trek to the top of Kilimanjaro.
Highlights
Why travelers choose this experience
- Trek Kilimanjaro via the classic 5day Marangu Route
- Enjoy hut accommodations and stunning panoramic mountain views
- Journey through lush rainforest to alpine and lunar terrain
- Reach Uhuru Peak — the iconic Roof of Africa
- Ideal for firsttimers and experienced climbers alike
- Scenic, direct, and unforgettable African mountain adventure awaits
Your Itinerary
Your day, step by step
Day 1
Moshi
Welcome to Tanzania! Moshi (1400 m) – Marangu gate (1,980 m) – Mandara Hut (2700 m) Hiking time: 5 hours; Distance approx. 12 km Vegetation type: Montane forest & moorland After breakfast at your lodge/hotel, we pick you up and drive to Marangu gate. It takes 21/2 to 3 hrs of driving along with Chagga villages, and farms of sweet potatoes, cassava, beans, maize & through coffee & banana plantation.
Continued
Moshi
Sightseeing. On arrival at the gate you will sign in at the park office and your guide will work on registration formalities. The actual number of potters to support you will depend on things to be carried but from the office, we will weigh the entire luggage and have a rough idea of the number of porters.
Continued
Moshi
Sightseeing. According to park rules & regulations, each potter should carry not more than 20 kg; you will carry your lunch box, drinking water, some clothes, and all your valuables. Potters are hiking first so once they carry any of your things you will meet them at the camp.
Continued
Moshi
Rock Climbing at Mount Kilimanjaro. Today, your Kilimanjaro climb on Marangu route 6 days starts by trekking up to Mandara hut at (2700 m), you will hike through a beautiful landscape of the mountain forest & along little streams and waterfalls. Kisamboni picnic area the place for lunch can be reached after 11/2 hrs a walk from the park gate. From Kisamboni another 11/2 hrs will be needed to reach Mandara hut (2,700). The vegetation type at the campsite is of low alpine zone and moorland, with shrub and trees accompanied by lots of lichens.
Continued
Moshi
Eco Tour at Mount Kilimanjaro. Mandara hut is placed in a clear forest with wooden A-shaped framed and here is where your will first night on Kilimanjaro Mountain will be spent.
Continued
Moshi
Sightseeing. Mandara huts have a capacity to accommodate 60 people sleeping in bunks; each hut has 4-8 sleeping bunks. The water around this area is from the spring and can safely be used for cooking, drinking & flushing toilets.
Continued
Moshi
Camping. At the camp you will have hot water for a wash, then afterwards tea/coffee & snacks before changing the clothes that you have been hiking with & put on dry clothes. On the mountain, we say “stay warm all the time”. This procedure will be carried out in almost all camps.
Continued
Moshi
Nature Walks at Mawenzi. You can have a short walk to the Maundi crater where you can enjoy good weather and possibly a great view of Mawenzi peak. Blue Monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys can be spotted around this place.
Continued
Moshi
Overnight at Mandara Huts.
Day 2
Moshi
Hiking at Mount Kilimanjaro. Mandara Hut (2700 m) – Horombo Hut (3,720 m) Hiking time: 6 hours; Distance approx. 15 km Vegetation type: moorland zone. After breakfast, the second hiking day on the Mt. Kilimanjaro Marangu route starts. This day you will hike along with the last patches of the montane forest past the other side of Maundi crater and soon you will reach the moorland vegetation zone.
Continued
Moshi
Sightseeing at Mawenzi. The area is more dominated by vegetations known as heather, Lobelia Deckenii, and lovely Dendrosenecio kilimanjari. With good weather conditions, you can have a stunning view of both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Later you will arrive at Horombo huts and if you wish you can bathe with hot water before dinner followed by sleeping in a luxurious bed.
Continued
Moshi
Relaxation & Fun. Horombo huts can accommodate 120 people all sleeping in beds and it is like a small village and the only huts on Kilimanjaro with beds. You have one day here for relaxing and acclimatization be prepared as nights tends to be crazy cold.
Continued
Moshi
Overnight at Horombo Huts.
Day 3
Moshi
Hiking. Horombo Hut (3,720 m) – Kibo Hut (4,700 m) Hiking time: 6 hours; Distance approx. 15 km Vegetation type: Alpine desert. ‘Saddle’ the area in-between Mawenzi and Kibo can be reached in two different routes, through the upper route which is eroded and stormy, or by taking the lower route which is easier and most recommended where you can pass near the water point at (4200 m) which is the last in this route.
Continued
Moshi
Sightseeing. We will fill your bottles with enough drinking water as this will be the last water point before getting back to Horombo huts again, otherwise, you can buy mineral water or soft drinks at Kibo huts. If you wish you can take a short break at this last water point and perhaps sit at the picnic site for lunch.
Continued
Moshi
Camping. From Last Water Point, you will reach Kibo huts at (4700 m) after 21/2 hours of walking. Kibo hut is at the barren Alpine desert with only vegetation known as ‘everlasting flowers’. Kibo huts are built with stone blocks and have 60 bunk beds and platform toilets. Reaching the camp same procedures will follow as per previous days.
Continued
Moshi
Overnight at Kibo Huts.
Day 4
Moshi
Hiking. Summit attempt: Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Uhuru Peak 5,895 m & back to Horombo Hut (3,720 m) Hiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru Peak, 6 hours to Horombo hut Distance approx. 6 km ascent 21 km descent Vegetation type: Stone scree / ice-cap summit. On this day after early dinner, your guide will give you a detailed briefing on how you can successfully get to the summit, what to pack, what to wear, and so on. You will then prepare all the needed gear before going to sleep as the starting hours will be around midnight. Things to be prepared for this attempt are mostly thermal clothing, ski-stick, and thermal flask for water; hand warmers, batteries, and headlamp among others. Your guide will point them out during the briefing.
Continued
Moshi
Sightseeing at Mount Kilimanjaro. Since your guide has been watching your pace on previous days he will schedule the starting time which will likely be around 23:00 and 00:30, you may have some tea and biscuits before starting. You will face a challenging part of your Mt Kilimanjaro climbing at the beginning which is a rough and rocky path.
Continued
Moshi
Sightseeing. On the way you will pass Williams Point at (5,000 m), Hans Meyer Cave at (5,150 m), and Gillman’s point at (5,681 m) positioned on the crater’s rim. To reach Hans Meyer Cave from Kibo hut you will spend almost two and a half hours. Gilman’s point is placed just a short distance from Hans Meyer Cave, it is about an hour to get there.
Continued
Moshi
Rock Climbing. From Gilman’s point, you will possibly need not less than 1 hour and a half to reach the summit. The rest of your climbing up to Uhuru Peak will be covered with snow and the walking will be along the rim of the crater. Stella point at (5,752 m) will be passed on the way and this is the point where other Kilimanjaro routes reach the rim.
Continued
Moshi
Relaxation & Fun. Mt Kilimanjaro climbing tours continue and at this point, you are about to reach the summit but it can be a great challenge. Getting there weather how you feel will determine the time to be spent at the summit enjoying & taking pictures but it will not be much longer at this altitude before starting your way down and back to Kibo hut at (4700 m) for a lunch break.
Continued
Moshi
Camping. After lunch you will stretch further down to Horombo hut at (3720 m), it will take you not less than 3 hours to get there. At the camp same procedures of hot water to wash & so forth will take place.
Continued
Moshi
Later you will be served dinner and spend a night at Horombo huts. Overnight at Horombo Huts.
Day 5
Moshi
Sightseeing at Mount Kilimanjaro. Horombo Hut (3,720 m) – Marangu gate at 1,980 m – then drive to Moshi/Arusha Descending time: 6 hours Distance approx. 27 km Vegetation type: Low alpine zone, moorland, and montane forest. You will have breakfast at Horombo hut before starting your last day down from Kilimanjaro. Hot lunch will be served at Mandara hut (27,00 m), little rest before starting your way, hopeful the path is familiar as you have passed here on your first day.
Continued
Moshi
Local Flavor. Reaching Marangu gate, you will provide some details to the register on where you have reached. Certificate for reaching Gilman's Point is in green color & gold certificate (big Diploma) for reaching Uhuru Peak the actual summit of Kilimanjaro Mountain. This will be the time for celebration singing & dancing followed by tips session, you may start with potters, cook & lastly the guides.
Continued
Moshi
Overnight at Your Hotel/Lodge in Moshi/Arusha or A drive to Kilimanjaro Airport for departure.
Planning Details
Before you go
Included
All Fees and Taxes Private transportation Transfer to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only – not as summit aid) + Basic first aid kit Qualified mountain guide, assistant guides, porters, and cook Plus their Wages Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables & sleeping mattress) Fresh Water for drinking & Hot water for a wash daily
Not Included
Visas, and Flight Expenses Health & Travel Insurances (Yellow Fever Vaccination is compulsory if traveling to Tanzania & Kenya) Gratuities Personal trekking gears (You may opt to rent some of the gears from equipment stores in Tanzania) Optional but highly recommended Portable toilet Personal medicine and water purifying tablets + Meals, Snacks & drinks not specified
What to Bring
Passport required Comfortable clothing and footwear Camera and bag for essentials
Restrictions
Not stroller accessible Not suitable for pets No public transportation nearby Infants must not sit on laps Infant seats are unavailable Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Meeting & Pickup
Moshi Urban - Moshi Urban, Kilimanjaro Region, .
Planning Notes
Minimum age: 1 Hotel pickup offered: No Confirmation: Manual By Business
Featured Travel