The best Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in Six (6)-Days for 2025
Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in Six (6)-Days 2025 The Marangu Route, known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” offers a comfortable trek to Kilimanjaro’s summit with hut accommodations along the way. This extended 6-day itinerary provides an extra day for acclimatization, improving your chances of reaching the peak while immersing yourself in Kilimanjaro’s unique ecosystems and breathtaking vistas. Here’s a day-by-day breakdown of your unforgettable journey.
Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in Six (6)-Days 2025 Tour Overview:
Duration: 6 Days, 5 Nights
Route: Marangu (also known as the “Coca-Cola Route”)
Difficulty Level: Moderate to Challenging
Highlights: Lush rainforest, high-altitude moorlands, alpine desert, and Kilimanjaro’s iconic glaciers
Day by day itinerary
Day 1 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in Six (6)-Days 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:
Your journey begins with registration at Marangu Gate. After meeting your guide and porters, you’ll start trekking through Kilimanjaro’s lush rainforest, one of the mountain’s most diverse ecosystems. The path winds through towering trees, and you may spot Colobus monkeys, as well as an array of colorful bird species. You’ll arrive at Mandara Hut in the afternoon, where you’ll settle in for the night.
Accommodation: Mandara Hut, a comfortable mountain hut with shared dormitory-style sleeping quarters, dining, and bathroom facilities.
Day 2 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in Six (6)-Days 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 behind, you’ll transition to moorland filled with giant heathers and unique flora like the giant lobelia and groundsels. With clear skies, you’ll get your first breathtaking views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Arriving at Horombo Hut in the early afternoon, you’ll have time to explore the area and adjust to the altitude.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut, a larger mountain hut with dormitory rooms, common dining areas, and shared bathroom facilities.
Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
Altitude: 3,700m (12,139 ft)
Activity: Optional hike to Zebra Rocks or Mawenzi Ridge
Hiking Distance: 5 km round trip for Zebra Rocks
Highlights & Experience:
Today is dedicated to acclimatization to improve your body’s adaptation to the higher altitude. Your guide may suggest a short hike to Zebra Rocks (4,000m / 13,123 ft), named for their unique black-and-white striped pattern. Alternatively, you can opt for a longer hike to Mawenzi Ridge, with spectacular views and a higher elevation gain. Both options help prepare your body for the upcoming summit attempt while providing extraordinary photo opportunities.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Starting Altitude: 3,700m (12,139 ft)
Ending Altitude: 4,700m (15,420 ft)
Distance: 9.5 km (5.9 miles)
Trekking Time: 6-8 hours
Terrain: Alpine desert
Highlights & Experience:
Today’s trek leads you across the desolate alpine desert, a stark, lunar landscape with limited vegetation. This route provides stunning views of Kibo Crater and Mawenzi Peak. As the air becomes thinner, you’ll move at a slower pace, conserving energy for the summit attempt. On arrival at Kibo Hut, you’ll prepare for an early rest, as your summit bid begins at midnight.
Accommodation: Kibo Hut, a stone structure offering bunk beds, shared dormitory rooms, and basic amenities.
Day 5: 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: 22 km (13.7 miles) round trip
Trekking Time: 10-14 hours
Terrain: Steep ascent, glacier, and descent
Highlights & Experience:
You’ll begin the summit trek at midnight, climbing through scree and rocky terrain to reach Gilman’s Point (5,681m / 18,638 ft) around sunrise. From here, continue to Stella Point (5,739m / 18,828 ft), where the path to Uhuru Peak – the summit of Kilimanjaro – opens up. Reaching Uhuru Peak is a powerful moment, with panoramic views over Tanzania and beyond.
After celebrating at the summit, you’ll begin the descent, returning to Horombo Hut by late afternoon for a well-earned rest.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Day 6 of Kilimanjaro’s Trekking Marangu in Six (6)-Days 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:
On the final day, you’ll retrace your steps down through the moorland and rainforest zones, returning to Marangu Gate. Here, you’ll be awarded a certificate commemorating your achievement: a green certificate for reaching Gilman’s Point or a gold certificate for those who summited at Uhuru Peak. After goodbyes to the team, you’ll be transported back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi for a night of well-deserved relaxation.
This 6-day Kilimanjaro trek offers an unforgettable adventure, combining stunning landscapes, diverse ecosystems, and a summit experience that’s both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
Includes:
Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder & CPR certified Guide
Proper Ration of Mountain crew (Cook & Porters)
Pre and Post accommodations (2 nights Bed and Breakfast)
Airport Transfers
Meals according to the itinerary
Drinking water and Full Board Meals
All National Park & Hut Fees, Crew Permits and VAT
Fair and Sustainable Salary Crew Wages
Gate Transfers
Complimentary Oxygen Cylinder
Quality Imported Equipments
Excludes:
Flights
Visa fees
Travel or Medical Insurance is required and you should ask for Recommendation
Gamow Bag
Medication
Tips for porters and mountain crew (20% Industry Standard Recommended)
Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
Energy food & beverages, alcoholic and soft drinks
Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
Additional lodge nights if early descent from the mountain $150 per room
