Mount Kilimanjaro Climb 6 Days Marangu Route
Is known as the “Coca Cola route” – the Marangu route is one of the most popular routes leading to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. Many hikers believe that Marangu route is the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the route which can be hiked in 5 days (making it lower budget option). It is also the only route offering accommodation on the mountain, in the huts in each station.
It is unfortunately a well-known fact, that the 5 days Marangu route has the lowest summit success rates of all the routes on the mountain. If you choose Marangu route, we strongly recommend hiking for 6 days, to increase your chance to reach the summit successfully as more time on the mountain allows a greater chance for altitude acclimatization. This is the only route, which provide comfortable sleeping huts, equipped with beds and mattresses at every overnight station.
Marangu route utilizes the same route for ascend and descend.
Day 1: Marangu Gate (1860m) to Mandara Hut (2700m).
Depart after breakfast from Moshi/Arusha at 9:00am to Marangu gate where the registration done before your treks begin. The trail lead through the rainforest of Kilimanjaro picnic lunch to be save at Kisambioni, day halfway to Mandara Hut. After lunch continue your hiking through the rainforest until Mandara Hut for leisure rest of the day late evening a short walk to Maundi crater 340Mt. In the clear day there is a great views of the horizon east over Taveta and northwest of Mawenzi Peak are stunning on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort.
Dinner overnight Mandara hut.
Marangu gate (1,800m to Mandara Hut (2,720)
Elevation Gain: 915 meters.
Distance 7Km
Day 2: Mandara Hut (2700m) to Horombo Hut (3700m)
After breakfast Mandara hut depart to Horombo Hut. Most of the day's hike will be through moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants. Picnic lunch save at half way before continuing to Horombo Hut. If the weather is clear, beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are to be seen. Arrive at Horombo Hut at around 15hrs pm and spend the rest of the late noon leisure. Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered to be the nicest on Kilimanjaro. The small, A-frame buildings accommodate up to eight people each and provide lodging for hikers ascending, descending and acclimatizing.
Horombo can accommodate up to one hundred hikers and many more support crew’s porters, cooks and guides.
Mandara Hut (2,720m to Horombo Hut (3,720mt
Elevation Gain: 977 meters,
Day 3: Horombo Hut - Mawenzi Hut - Horombo Hut
Leisure breakfast before starting your day for acclimatization elevation gain and Loss: 880 meters, 2,900 feet Day three is an acclimatization day. We suggest hiking all the way to Mawenzi Hut to allow for maximum acclimatization. The hike will increase your chances of reaching Uhuru Peak, and also reward you with magnificent views of Kibo. Return to Horombo for a late lunch. Leisure afternoon evening at Horombo.
Horombo Hut --3,720Mt to Mawenzi Hut -- 4,600Mt and return to Horombo Hut (3,720Mt.
Distance 9Km
Day 4: Horombo Hut - Kibo Hut
Depart right after breakfast Horombo Hut hike through the moorland and alpine desert upper altitudes. After hiking for about one hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream after Maua River, the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. Lunch to be save at Middle Red Hill after lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Saddle although the environment on the way to Kibo is a bleak desert with little vegetation, you will see many stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Reach Kibo Hut around 15hrs pm leisure prepare for summit session to take a place at mid night.
Horombo Hut (3,720Mt to Kibo Hut (4,750Mt
Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters.
Distance 9.5Km
Day 5: Kibo Hut - Uhuru Peak - Horombo Hut
At midnight, awake for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the Top of Africa. Hike begins with a demanding five hours hike to Gillman's Point on the crater rim. Although this is considered to be the easiest of the three crater ascent paths, it is still extremely difficult. The first major rest stop, William's Point, lies at 5000 meters and is approximately a two hour hike from Kibo Hut continue on for thirty minutes before beginning the rocky switchbacks that will continue to Gillman's Point (5,681 meters). The hike from Gilman's to Uhuru Peak is a gradual climb and as far as hikes go, not very difficult. The altitude, however, makes the hike long and tiring. The crater rim hike takes approximately two hours. Upon reaching Uhuru, take pictures of your Self and or group at the peak before beginning the descent to Kibo Hut and later further downhill Horombo Hut. On the way down from the summit, you will see all of the magnificent views you could not see on the way up. Stop for a short break and breach at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut after reached Horombo Hut in the afternoon rest as this is your last night on the mountain.
Kibo Hut (4,750Mt to Summit (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720Mt.
Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters, Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters.
Distance 19.5Km
Day 6: Horombo Hut - Marangu Gate
Last breakfast on the mountain before your descent begin to Marangu gate. Your last hike on is a beautiful one, passing through cloud forest watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery during rainy season your lunch will be save at Mandara hut before completing your descent by arriving Marangu Gate exit gate the vehicles will be waiting at Marangu gate for driving back to Moshi/Arusha.
Horombo Hut (3,720Mt to Marangu Gate (1,800Mt.
Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters.
Distance 18Km
End of the hiking.
Tour Location
History Of Marangu Route
The Marangu route is the original Kilimanjaro route. It's the only route where you don't camp, but instead stay in communal A-frame huts. It's not a tough route, but it has a low success rate because you're not given much time to acclimatise.
The Marangu is one of the oldest and most popular Kilimanjaro route. It's sometimes called the Coca-Cola route because you stay in huts and can buy a Coke en route.
The Marangu route approaches the summit from the southeast of the mountain. Overall it's a relatively easy route, having very few steep climbs.
That said, The Marangu route's acclimatisation profile is mediocre, as it doesn't allow much time for acclimatisation. Fewer people therefore make it to the top when you look at its summit success rate compared with those of the other routes.
Quick facts about the Marangu route
Difficulty: Low
Distance: 72 km / 45 miles
Duration: 6 days
Success rate: Low
Price Included
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation
- Professional guides, cooks and porters
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Park fees, huts fees & rescue fees
- VAT fees and Charges
- Double layered Sleeping Mats
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Filtered water throughout the trek
- Pick up and drop off at the airport.
- Fair wages for the mountain crew.
Price Not Included
- International flights.
- Bank charges
- Personal Expenses
- Tips to Crew (highly recommended).
- Visa, Travel Insurance (we can help arrange of them).
- Expenditures of personal nature like drinks, telephone, laundry, Internet etc.
Hayate H
January 25, 2025
Amazing trip Kilimanjaro hike
We had an amazing trip with Tanzania Seasons.Guide and his crew was excellent and really appreciate their efforts . We had a great time. Highly recommend!!