6-days Marangu Route is Kilimanjaro’s iconic Coca-Cola

Overview

6-days Marangu Route is Kilimanjaro’s iconic “Coca-Cola” path — a well-established, gradual ascent famed for comfortable hut accommodations and steady acclimatization. Over six days, climbers pass through five unique ecosystems: lush rainforest, heath and moorland, alpine desert, and finally the glacial summit zone. The steady daily elevation gain combined with built-in acclimatization allows for effective adjustment and minimizes altitude sickness risks. At night, cozy mountain huts at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo provide warmth, hot meals, and camaraderie among trekkers. A dedicated team of guides, assistant guides, porters, and cooks expertly manage logistics — carrying gear, preparing nutritious meals, and ensuring health and morale. Summit night is carefully coordinated with oxygen monitoring and support, culminating in a stunning sunrise from Uhuru Peak. The descent brings elation and a well-earned celebration back at Marangu Gate.

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1
Marangu Gate (1,860 m) → Mandara Hut (2,744 m)
Start at Marangu Gate where your team organizes gear and food distribution. Trek 8 km through dense rainforest, encountering colobus and blue monkeys. Arrive Mandara Hut for a cooked lunch of local favorites like beans, vegetables, and rice. Afternoon guided acclimatization walk to Maundi Crater rim (3,100 m) offers panoramic views and aids altitude adjustment. Enjoy hot showers, tea, and a hearty 3-course dinner in shared bunkbeds. Guides provide altitude awareness briefings. Weather varies from warm mornings to cool evenings; layering is essential.
Day 2
Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
Departure after breakfast and hike 12 km through heath and moorland, gaining nearly 1,000 meters over 6–7 hours. Lunch on the trail includes samosas or peanut butter sandwiches with soup. Porters carry tents, food, and oxygen tanks while assistant guides manage pacing and rest stops. Afternoon acclimatization walk to Zebra Rocks (approx. 800 m elevation gain) strengthens altitude adaptation. Dinner is multi-course with hot drinks. Basic communal sleeping and toilet facilities provided; temperatures drop significantly at night.
Day 3
Horombo Hut – Acclimatization Day
Rest and acclimatize with a 6 km round-trip hike to Furtwangler Glacier viewpoint (4,200 m) over 4–5 hours. Learn about Kilimanjaro’s geology, glaciers, and unique flora such as giant lobelias and groundsel. Ample hydration with hot water is provided. Lunch back at Horombo Hut features pasta, vegetables, and soup. Afternoon includes summit gear orientation and pole usage briefing. Optional hot shower available (~US$5). Dinner is hearty with comforting hot pudding. Early bedtime prepares for the midnight summit start.
Day 4
Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut (4,703 m)
Trek 10 km through alpine desert terrain over 6–8 hours, ascending steeply and steadily to Kibo Hut. The rocky barren landscape demands slow, consistent pacing with frequent snack and soup breaks. Lunch served near 4,200 m includes couscous, vegetables, and tea. Guides monitor oxygen saturation and wellness. At Kibo, porters set tents and dining areas. Evening includes a summit strategy briefing. Dinner is carbohydrate-rich, and a final bathroom break is called before early lights out (7 p.m.) to maximize rest before summit night.
Day 5
Summit Day – Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Horombo Hut
Wake around 11:30 p.m. for pre-summit snacks (oatmeal, tea, biscuits) and weather check. The slow, steady 6 km climb to Uhuru Peak aims for a sunrise arrival around 6–7 a.m. Guides assist with pacing, oxygen, and rest stops; assistant guides support slower climbers while porters prepare food. Celebrate at the summit with photos and a hot drink ceremony. The descent is in two stages: back to Kibo for a hot lunch, then 8–10 hours down to Horombo Hut for a celebratory dinner featuring roasted meats and hearty dishes. Staff attend to altitude recovery and hydration.
Day 6
Horombo Hut , Marangu Gate (1,860 m)
Complete the final 20 km descent through moorland, heath, and rainforest in approximately 5–6 hours. Guides share stories of the trek and local ecology. Enjoy a farewell lunch near Marangu Gate—typically rice, beans, and fried potatoes. At the gate, sign summit certificates and participate in the traditional tip ceremony for the hardworking team. Transport returns you to your lodge in Arusha or Moshi, where a post-trek debrief and warm shower await. Reflect on your Kilimanjaro achievement and the dedicated staff who made it possible.

Cost Info

Price includes

Park fees
All activities (unless labeled as optional)
All accommodations as stated in the itinerary
A professional driver/guide
All transportation (unless labeled as optional)
All Taxes/VAT
Roundtrip airport transfer
All Meals (as specified in the day-by-day section)
Camping Equipment
Porterage

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International flights (from/to home)
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
Tips (tipping guideline US$20.00 pp per day)
Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees, etc.)
Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Alcohol drinks
Rescue Fee
Climbing Gear
Sleeping Bag

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6-days Marangu Route is Kilimanjaro’s iconic Coca-Cola

Overview

Itinerary Expand All

Day 1

Marangu Gate (1,860 m) → Mandara Hut (2,744 m)

Day 2

Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut (3,720 m)

Day 3

Horombo Hut – Acclimatization Day

Day 4

Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut (4,703 m)

Day 5

Summit Day – Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Horombo Hut

Day 6

Horombo Hut , Marangu Gate (1,860 m)

Cost Info

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