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- Duration: 5 days
- Difficulty: Medium
- Scenery: Good
- success rate: Medium
5 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
The 5-day Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is the most budget-friendly way to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. As the only route with sleeping huts at each campsite, it offers an added layer of comfort with communal huts, solar lights, sponge mattresses, and pillows. Mandara and Kibo Huts each provide 60 beds, while Horombo Hut offers 120 beds, ensuring ample accommodation for climbers. At the lower camps, bathrooms and running water are available, while basic latrines serve the final camp. This route fosters a lively, international atmosphere as climbers gather in dining huts for shared meals. Though the 5-day Marangu Route is the shortest route to the summit, an extra acclimatization day can be added for a 6-day trek, allowing time to rest at Horombo or explore the nearby peak of Mawenzi.
5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Itinerary
Day 0
Arrival (Pre-trek Briefing)
We recommend all trekkers to organize their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport or Arusha Airpot. Then If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Arrive at least a day before your trek to attend a pre-trek briefing at your hotel. We will review your gear and provide any necessary equipment rentals
Day 1
Arrival
- Arrival: Pre-trek Briefing
- Transport: Private transfer
- Accomodation: Hotel
Day 1
Hotel to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
Day 1
- Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
- Distance: 8km/5mi
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
- Accomodation: Huts
- Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the affects of the altitude.
Day 1
- Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 12km/7.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Heathland
- Accomodation: Huts
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 3
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
Day 1
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
- Distance: 9km/5.5mi
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Accomodation: Huts
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 4
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
Day 1
- Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft Down to 3700m/12,200ft
- Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
- Accomodation: Huts
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Day 5
Horombo Hut to Hotel
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. 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).
Our vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha
Day 1
- Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
- Distance: 20km/12.5mi
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
- Meals included: Breakfast / Lunch
Inclusions and Exclusion
The price includes:-
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your hotel
- quality mountain tent and Sleeping Mattress
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
The price Excludes:-
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Tips and gratuities
- Travel insurance
- International and domestic flights
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Price per person Sharing
Solo
2 pax
3 pax
4 pax
5 pax
6 pax
7+ pax
USD 1869
USD 1766
USD 1712
USD 1708
USD 1686
USD 1673
USD 1668
SOLO
2 PAX
3 PAX
4 PAX
5 PAX
6 PAX
7 PAX +
USD 1869
USD 1766
USD 1712
USD 1708
USD 1686
USD 1673
USD 1668
Facts to know before climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, a 19,340-foot (5,895-meter) mountain, has three peaks and popular trekking routes. Climbers traverse diverse climate zones over 6–9 days, depending on the route. The first successful ascent was in 1889 by Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller, also requiring an average fitness level.
Trekking Distance
Long Route 98 KM | Short Route 62 KM
Kilimanjaro Three Peaks
Kibo | Mawenzi | Shira
Climate Zones
Rainforest, Heather, Moorland, Alpine, Arctic
First Climb
1889, Hans Meyer and Ludwig Purtscheller
Required Skills
Average fitness level
Kilimanjaro Routes
Lemosho, Machame, Rongai, Northern Circuit, Marangu, Umbwe
Kilimanjaro Hike Lengths
5-9 days depend on Routes
The Marangu Route, also known as the "Coca-Cola Route," is one of the most popular and accessible paths for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. This 5-day trek offers a scenic journey up Africa’s highest peak, complete with hut accommodations at each overnight stop. The Marangu Route is ideal for climbers seeking a relatively comfortable climb with well-established paths, though it is still a challenging route that reaches Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters.
The 5-day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route itinerary typically starts at the Marangu Gate, progressing through rainforest terrain to Mandara Hut, then on to Horombo Hut and Kibo Hut, and finally reaching the summit at Uhuru Peak. After summit day, climbers descend back down through the same route, allowing for a total journey of 5 days. Each day on the Marangu Route is designed to gradually acclimatize climbers, though additional acclimatization days are recommended for higher success rates.
While the Marangu Route is considered one of Kilimanjaro's easiest paths due to its gradual slope and well-maintained trails, it is still a strenuous climb due to the high altitude. The 5-day version is shorter, allowing less time for acclimatization, which can increase the risk of altitude sickness. Prior fitness training and, if possible, experience with high-altitude trekking are recommended to enhance success on this 5-day Marangu trek.
Unlike other Kilimanjaro routes, the Marangu Route offers hut accommodation, providing climbers with shelter from the elements. Each hut along the route—Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut, and Kibo Hut—offers basic dormitory-style lodging with bunk beds and shared facilities. These huts provide a comfortable alternative to tents, making the Marangu Route a unique and accessible option for those new to multi-day trekking or preferring more shelter on the climb.
The best time to climb Kilimanjaro's Marangu Route is during the dry seasons, from January to mid-March and from June to October. During these periods, weather conditions are typically more stable, with clearer skies and less rain, providing better conditions for trekking and summit success. However, with proper preparation, climbers can also attempt the Marangu Route outside of these peak months, although there may be higher chances of rain and more challenging trail conditions.
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