5 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Via Marangu Route

The Marangu route, also known as the “Coca-Cola” route, is the oldest, most well established route on Kilimanjaro. This is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.
Day 1 Marangu gate – Mandara huts: 7k /mi | 4-5 hrs | rainforest
Elevation: 1830m/6000ft to 2740m/9000ft

Departing from Moshi a 1-hour drive will take you through the village of Marangu 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.

Day 2 Mandara huts – Horombo huts: 11km/3mi | 6-8hrs | Mooreland
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.

Day 3 Horombo Huts - Kibo huts: 10km/6mi | 6-8hrs | semi-desert
Elevation: 3690m/12,100ft to 4695m/15,400ft

After breakfast, we continue 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.

Day 4 Kibo huts – summit: 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

We continue our way to the summit in a switchback formation trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion, we ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow toward Gillman’s point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Day 5 Colombo huts – Marangu gate – Moshi: 18km/11mi |6-7hrs | rainforest
Elevation: 3690m/12,100 to 1830m/6000ft

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it’s time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down stopping at the mandara huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. You return to the marangu park gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep and we highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes).

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.