6-Day Marangu Route Itinerary

The Marangu Route, famously known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is Kilimanjaro’s most popular trail and the only one that offers hut accommodations rather than camping. Its gradual slopes and well-maintained paths make it an excellent choice for first-time trekkers. However, since the route is relatively short, acclimatization can be challenging. To improve summit success, the 6-day version is highly recommended, allowing extra time for adjustment to the altitude.

•  Day 1: Arrival in Moshi – Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut (2,720m)

Your adventure begins with an early transfer from Moshi to the Marangu Gate, where you will complete registration formalities before setting off on the trail. The hike starts gently, leading you through lush rainforest alive with birds and the occasional monkey. After a four to five-hour trek covering about eight kilometers, you arrive at Mandara Hut, a dormitory-style cabin nestled in the forest zone. Here you will enjoy dinner and your first night on the mountain.

• Day 2: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

The day’s trek begins with the last stretch of rainforest before the landscape opens into vast moorlands dotted with giant lobelias and senecios. As you climb higher, the views become more dramatic, with Mawenzi Peak rising sharply in the distance. The hike to Horombo Hut takes between five and seven hours, covering twelve kilometers. Once at the hut, you will have time to rest, enjoy the mountain scenery, and take a short acclimatization walk in the afternoon.

• Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut

This day is reserved for acclimatization, which significantly increases your chances of a successful summit. After breakfast, you may choose an optional hike to Zebra Rocks at 4,000 meters, named for its distinctive striped volcanic formations, or to Mawenzi Base Camp at 4,600 meters. Both options provide valuable altitude exposure before returning to Horombo Hut for rest, hydration, and preparation for the climb ahead.

• Day 4: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut (4,703m)

Leaving Horombo, the trail crosses the vast alpine desert known as “the Saddle,” a barren plateau stretching between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The lunar-like landscape offers an otherworldly trekking experience as you make your way steadily toward Kibo Hut. The hike covers nine kilometers in five to seven hours, gradually ascending to your final base before the summit attempt. An early dinner is served, and trekkers are encouraged to rest as the summit push begins at midnight.

• Day 5: Summit Night – Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut

The most challenging and rewarding day of the climb begins just after midnight. By headlamp, you ascend steep switchbacks up the scree slopes toward Gilman’s Point at 5,681 meters. From here, the trail continues along the crater rim to Stella Point, where trekkers are greeted by a magnificent sunrise over the African plains. The final push leads to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating your achievement and taking in the breathtaking views, you begin the long descent back down. The trek first returns to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing to Horombo Hut, where you spend the night after an exhausting but unforgettable journey.

• Day 6: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi

Your final day on the mountain takes you down through moorland and rainforest, retracing your steps back to Marangu Gate. The descent covers about twenty kilometers and takes five to six hours. At the gate, successful climbers are awarded certificates, gold for those who reached Uhuru Peak and green for those who reached Gilman’s Point. After the celebrations, you will be transferred back to Moshi for a well-deserved rest and the end of your Kilimanjaro adventure.

Why Choose the 6-Day Marangu Route?

✔ More acclimatization time (higher success rate than the 5-day option)
✔ Hut accommodations (no tents, more comfort)
✔ Well-maintained trail (easier footing than other routes)

 Tips for Success on the Marangu Route

✔ Choose the 6-day option for better acclimatization
✔ Train beforehand (cardio & hiking with elevation gain)
✔ Hydrate well (3-4L water daily to combat altitude sickness)
✔ Pack warm layers (summit night can drop below -20°C/-4°F)