The best Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025
Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025 The Marangu Route, also called the “Coca-Cola Route,” is a popular and direct path to Kilimanjaro’s summit. Known for its cozy mountain huts and stunning scenery, this 5-day itinerary is ideal for trekkers who prefer a shorter trek with a fast ascent. Though it’s a shorter route, Marangu offers diverse landscapes, including rainforests, moorlands, and alpine deserts. Here’s a complete breakdown of each day on this thrilling journey:
Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025 Tour Overview:
Duration: 5 Days, 4 Nights
Route: Marangu (the “Coca-Cola Route”)
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Best For: Trekkers with some hiking experience
Highlights: Varied landscapes, well-maintained huts, sunrise summit, and Kilimanjaro’s glaciers
Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025 Day by Day itinerary
Day 1 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Starting Altitude: 1,970m (6,463 ft)
Ending Altitude: 2,720m (8,923 ft)
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Trekking Time: 4-5 hours
Terrain: Rainforest
Highlights & Experience:
The adventure begins at Marangu Gate, where you’ll register and meet your team of guides and porters. The trek starts through the lush rainforest, where you might spot black-and-white Colobus monkeys and a variety of birds in the vibrant greenery. You’ll end the day at Mandara Hut, where you can rest, enjoy the view, and prepare for the journey ahead.
Accommodation: Mandara Hut, a cozy hut with shared dormitory rooms, dining, and bathroom facilities.
Day 2 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Starting Altitude: 2,720m (8,923 ft)
Ending Altitude: 3,700m (12,139 ft)
Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-7 hours
Terrain: Moorland
Highlights & Experience:
Leaving the rainforest, you’ll enter the open moorland, where the terrain changes, and you can view Kilimanjaro’s two main peaks: Kibo and Mawenzi. Unique plants such as giant lobelias and groundsels dot the landscape. Reaching Horombo Hut in the afternoon, you’ll have time to settle in and take in the stunning views over the moorland below.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut, a larger hut with shared dorm rooms, dining areas, and bathrooms.
Day 3 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Starting Altitude: 3,700m (12,139 ft)
Ending Altitude: 4,700m (15,420 ft)
Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert
Highlights & Experience:
Today’s route leads through the rocky alpine desert, a stark and surreal landscape. You’ll pass the famous “Last Water Point” and make your way to Kibo Hut, where you’ll rest and have an early dinner. Your guide will prepare you for the challenging summit attempt, which starts around midnight.
Accommodation: Kibo Hut, a basic hut with dormitory rooms and limited facilities. Here, you’ll prepare for the summit push.
Day 4 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025: Summit Day – Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, then Descend to Horombo Hut
Starting Altitude: 4,700m (15,420 ft)
Summit Altitude: 5,895m (19,341 ft)
Ending Altitude: 3,700m (12,139 ft)
Distance: 4 km (2.5 miles) ascent, 14 km (8.7 miles) descent
Trekking Time: 10-14 hours (6-8 hours to the summit, 3-5 hours down to Horombo)
Highlights & Experience:
Summit day begins just after midnight. You’ll ascend through the scree fields in the darkness, reaching Gilman’s Point (5,685m) by sunrise. After a brief rest, you’ll push to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, where you’ll witness an unforgettable sunrise over the continent. Celebrate your achievement and then begin the descent back to Horombo Hut for some much-needed rest.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 5 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in five (5)-Days for 2025: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Starting Altitude: 3,700m (12,139 ft)
Ending Altitude: 1,970m (6,463 ft)
Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
Trekking Time: 5-7 hours
Terrain: Moorland and rainforest
Highlights & Experience:
The final day of your trek takes you back through the moorland and lush rainforest. Reaching Marangu Gate, you’ll sign out, and your guide will present you with your Kilimanjaro certificate, a memento of your achievement. Celebrate with your team before returning to your hotel for a well-deserved rest.
Inclusions
Professional, experienced, mountain guides
Clean, purified drinking water
Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Conservation fees (part of park fees)
VAT (18% charged by the Government)
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Rescue fees (part of park fees)
All meals while on the Mountain
All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents (on twin sharing basis)
Sleeping Mattress
Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Quality Mess tents with table and chairs
Exclusions
Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
Tanzania Visa
Transfers (available as an optional addon)
Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
Tips and gratuities
International and domestic flights
Travel insurance
Meals not listed in the itinerary
Hotel (available as an optional addon)
Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
