The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is the oldest and most established path for the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Climb. It’s the only route that offers sleeping huts with bunk beds, giving climbers a more comfortable alternative to camping. Trekkers stay in Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo Huts, which feature basic dining halls and simple washrooms — from flushing toilets at lower camps to bucket facilities at higher altitude. The gradual slope and direct trail make Marangu one of the easiest routes on the mountain, though its short itinerary limits altitude acclimatization. Approaching Kilimanjaro from the southeast, this classic route is popular and often busy, offering a steady ascent to Uhuru Peak on a well-defined path.
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing 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. Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive atleast one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend in having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed. Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), 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. Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft Distance: 8km/5mi Hiking Time: 3-4 hours Habitat: Montane Forest 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. Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft Distance: 12km/7.5mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Heathland Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and 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. Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft Distance: 9km/5.5mi Hiking Time: 5-6 hours Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and 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. 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 / 6-8 hours down Habitat: Alpine Desert Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi 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). A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour). Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft Distance: 20km/12.5mi Hiking Time: 4-5 hours Habitat: Forest Meals: Breakfast
