5 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

There are six established routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, and Umbwe. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all approach from the south of the mountain. The Lemosho and Shira routes approach from the west. The Rongai route approaches from the north near Kenya. All routes except Marangu and Rongai descend via Mweka.

The Marangu Route, commonly known as the Coca Cola route, is more popular because it can be done in fewer days and has permanent sleep huts at the campsites.

Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and passes Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak. It is a shorter route with a steeper incline and less time for acclimatization, which tends to result in a lower summit success rate. This is the only route where the ascent and descent route is shared, thus creating more traffic.

Duration: 5 or 6 days
Difficulty: Medium
Scenery: Good
Traffic: High

MARANGU ROUTE ELEVATIONS

Arrival in Tanzania

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation at The Maridadi Hotel B&B. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check, and to arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.

Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts: 7km/4.3mi | 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 winding trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and 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/6.8mi | 6-8 hrs | Moorland

Elevation: 2740m/9000ft to 3690m/12,100ft

After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest 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/6.2mi | 6-8 hrs | 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/2.5mi up | 5-7 hrs | – Horombo Huts: 14km/8.7mi down | 5-6 hrs | Glaciers, Snow-Capped Summit

Elevation: 4695m/15,400ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Descent to: 3690m/12,100ft

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
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 towards 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.
Congratulations, one step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Horombo Hut, stopping at Kibo Hut for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for uncooperative loose gravel and volcano ash terrain. Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 5: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi: 18km/11mi | 6-7 hrs | Rainforest

Elevation: 3690m/12,100ft 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, stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. You return back 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). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations!!
Overnight at The Maridadi Hotel B&B before being transferred to your journey home, safari, or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar.

Day 6: Mweka Camp to Arusha

Elevation (ft): 10,000ft to 5,400ft
Distance: 10 km
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest

After breakfast, we continue the descent down to the Mweka Park Gate to receive your summit certificates. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
From the gate, you continue another hour to Mweka Village. A vehicle will meet you at Mweka Village to drive you back to a hotel in Arusha.
Overnight at Karibu Heritage House B&B before being transferred to your journey home, safari, or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar.

ITINERARY MAP

Trekking Costs

Crew List Idea for 2 Clients

1 Lead guide
1 Assistant guide
1 Cook
1 Waiter
1 Toilet porter (magic word: Pilot)
8 Regular porters
Prices quoted are subject to current Government Regulated Park Fees at the time.