6 days Marangu - Mount Kilimanjaro
The Marangu route, known as the Coca-Cola route, is the least expensive route to the summit. This is also the only route with sleeping huts at every campsite, solar lights, and comfortable beds. Each bunk in the huts has a sponge mattress and a pillow. Both Mandara and Kibo Huts accommodate 70 beds, while Horombo Hut accommodates 150. Bathrooms and an adequate water supply are available at the two lower huts. Bathrooms and latrines are available at the last camp with basic facilities. Climbing groups from different countries share meals in dining huts, creating an enjoyable, energetic atmosphere where people from different nationalities can meet. We can complete the route in 5 days (the shortest route to the summit), but 6 days allows better acclimatisation. We spend the extra day resting at Horombo. You might as well climb the small peak of Mawenzi with an experienced guide for 5 days, up and back down to town.
6 days Marangu Route Trek to Mount Kilimanjaro
Check out the travel blueprint for your 6-day Marangu Trek to Mount Kilimanjaro
Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Day 3: Rest Day at Horombo Hut
Day 4: Horombo to Kibo Hut
Day 5: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Day 6: Horombo Hut to Moshi
OUR itinery
Ascend Mount Kilimanjaro through the Marangu route on your 6-day trek journey.
DAY 1
Hotel to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and a briefing, drive to Kilimanjaro
You have to register and commence the climb from the National Park Gate (about 1 hour). We will hike through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. We will make a side trip to Maundi Crater, which is a good way to see the place around, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the forest, you can spot 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 rainforest gate and follow a path ahead on the open moorlands to the Horombo. The astonishing views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are wonderful sights to behold. You can spot giant lobelias and grounsels. You can feel the effects of the altitude change.
Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Duration: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland/Moorland zone
Meals: Breakfast, hot snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 3
Rest Day at Horombo Hut
The third day is your rest day at Horombo Hut. You can also go for an optional hike to the Mawenzi Peak turn hut or acclimatise to Zebra Rock. After this, you can be back at Horombo for a fresh, hot lunch.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 0km/0mi
Hiking Time: 0 hours
Habitat: Heathland/ moorland
Meals: Breakfast, hot snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 4
Horombo to Kibo Hut
On our ascent, we will pass the last watering point and walk into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland. Then, it gives way to “moonscape”. Enjoy your lunch, dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit push.
Elevation: 3720m/12,200ft to 4750m/15,500ft
Distance: 9km/5.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, hot snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 5
Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning, we start climbing to the summit on steep or snowy up to Gilman’s point, located on the Kilimanjaro crater rim. Our ascent will be continued towards the summit, then to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every angle you see. Take your picture at the summit. From this point, we descend. In between, we stop for lunch and rest at Kibo before continuing to Horombo at a lower elevation to recover.
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 / 15km/9mi down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, snacks, Lunch, and Dinner
DAY 6
Horombo Hut to Moshi
Enjoy a delicious breakfast, and then we descend through moorland to the Mandara Hut. The descent journey continues through the lush forests to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower heights, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles are very helpful. Shorts and t-shirts are probably the ideal wear; keep rain gear and warmer clothing in your backpack. The Tanzania Adventures and Safaris’ vehicle will be waiting for you at the Marangu gate to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Here you can rest and have a refreshing shower for about 1 hour.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Duration: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
What is Lorem Ipsum?
This safari explores northern Tanzania’s premier national parks, starting with a convenient domestic flight from Zanzibar.
Include
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Sleeping Mattress
- All commute to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- Professional, experienced mountain guides
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Rescue fees
- park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
- Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries, and park fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
Exclude
- Tips and gratuities
- Transfers (available as an option)
- Hotel (available as an option)
- Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages
- Tanzania Visa
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc. (available for renting)
- The government imposed an increase in taxes and or Park Fees.
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- International and domestic flights
- Personal Expenses (e.g., laundry, telephone,beverages, etc.)
- Travel insurance
- Surcharge for online payment of the advance and balance
Prices Trek
Please find below the prices for organising a private trek.
The prices depend on your group size
| Solo Trekker | Group of 5 | Group of 9 and above |
|---|---|---|
|
USD 1950 per person |
USD 1850 per person
|
USD 1755 per person
|
FAQ
The Marangu route is the only trek route to Kilimanjaro with hut accommodation. The route is the easiest of all, yet it still requires sufficient physical fitness and acclimatisation to cover it.
Your tour operator will provide mattresses and pillows in Kibo and Mandara huts. If you need a sleeping bag, you'll need to bring it separately.
The Marangu route takes 3 hours to trek up and 1.5 hours back to the beginning point.
The 6-day Marangu trek is highly recommended, as it includes one rest day for acclimatisation. Any trek journey shorter than this reduces the chances of success for the trekkers.
The trek is not technically difficult for the trekkers. Hence, one can go on the trek without such knowledge or certification. But the rapid ascent is more likely to cause altitude sickness. And on your trek, you need to walk about 72-82 km over 6-7 days.
