6-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Itinerary: Climb Kilimanjaro via the Coca-Cola Route

The Marangu Route, famously known as the "Coca-Cola" route, is Kilimanjaro's classic and most established trail. It's the only route offering comfortable hut accommodation throughout your ascent and descent, making it a popular choice for those seeking a more sheltered Kilimanjaro climb. This detailed 6-day Marangu Route itinerary is designed for optimal acclimatization and summit success, providing a memorable journey to Uhuru Peak.

Why Choose the 6-Day Marangu Route?

✅ Hut Accommodation: Enjoy sleeping in huts every night, offering protection from the elements compared to tent camping.
✅ Well-Established Trail: The Marangu Route boasts a well-maintained and straightforward path, making it suitable for first-time Kilimanjaro climbers.
✅ Scenic Views: Experience diverse landscapes, from lush rainforest to alpine desert, with breathtaking views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
✅ Acclimatization Focused: This 6-day itinerary includes a crucial acclimatization day at Horombo Hut, significantly increasing your chances of reaching the summit.

Tour Features

Budget camping

This is a budget camping tour.

Shared tour

On this shared tour, you will join a group of other travelers. Max 6 people per group.

Can start any day

If availability permits, this tour can start on any day.

Can be customized

You can request minor changes to the accommodations and destinations of this tour.

Suitable for single travelers

Single travelers can join this group tour.

Minimum age of 15 years

The minimum age for this tour is 15 years.

Activities & Transportation

Getting around: minivan & hiking/walking

A transfer from and back to the airport is included

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Included

Min

✅ Kilimanjaro park fees & camping fees
✅ Professional mountain guides, porters & cooks
✅ All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch & dinner)
✅ Drinking water & hot beverages
✅ Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats)
✅ Transport from Moshi/Arusha to Londorossi Gate & back
✅ Oxygen tank & emergency first aid kit

Excluded

❌ Flights & visas
❌ Personal trekking gear (sleeping bag, boots, poles)
❌ Tips for guides & porters ($250–$350 per hiker recommended)
❌ Travel insurance & medical evacuation
❌ Additional accommodations before/after the trek

to your destination

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Day-by-Day 6-Day Marangu Route Itinerary

Here's a day-by-day breakdown of your 6-day Marangu Route Kilimanjaro climb:

Day 1: Pick up from the Airport

Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where a Kilimanjaro 360 representative will greet you and arrange your transfer to the hotel included in your package. The hotel offers everything needed for a pleasant stay: comfortable rooms, hot water, courteous staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening, a briefing with our managers will ensure you’re fully prepared for the climb.

Private tour packages include group-shared airport transfers, with additional fees for individual transfers. Please coordinate your group’s arrival and departure times to avoid extra costs.

Day 2: Marangu Gate (1,860m/6,100ft) to Mandara Hut (2,700m/8,860ft)

Hiking Time: Approximately 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Distance: Approximately 7 km / 4 miles
Elevation Gain: 840m / 2,760ft

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins at Marangu Gate, the official starting point of the route. After completing park registration and meeting your trekking team, you'll step into the enchanting montane forest. The trail gently ascends through lush greenery, alive with the sounds of the rainforest. Keep your eyes peeled for playful Colobus monkeys swinging through the trees! The well-maintained path makes for a pleasant initial hike to Mandara Hut. Upon arrival at Mandara Hut, settle into your designated hut, relax, and enjoy a hearty dinner as you prepare for the days ahead.

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Day 3: Mandara Hut (2,700m/8,860ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

Hiking Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Distance: Approximately 11 km / 7 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,020m / 3,340ft

Day two takes you above the treeline, transitioning into the heath and moorland zone. As you ascend, the forest thins out, revealing panoramic views of Kibo Peak and the jagged spires of Mawenzi Peak (weather permitting). The landscape opens up dramatically, showcasing the vastness of Kilimanjaro. The trail remains a gradual incline as you make your way to Horombo Hut. Horombo Hut is a larger and more scenic hut complex, renowned for its spectacular sunset views. Take time to acclimatize to the increasing altitude and enjoy the stunning surroundings.

Day 4: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

Location: Horombo Hut
Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Optional Hike: Zebra Rocks (approx. 3 hours return

This crucial acclimatization day at Horombo Hut is vital for your body to adapt to the higher altitude. Proper acclimatization significantly reduces the risk of altitude sickness and increases your chances of a successful summit. You can choose to relax at Horombo Hut, enjoying the views and resting, or embark on an optional acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Peak. A popular and highly recommended option is a hike to Zebra Rocks (approximately 3 hours round trip). This hike takes you to a higher elevation, further aiding acclimatization, and offers fantastic views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Hut (4,700m/15,420ft)

Hiking Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Distance: Approximately 10 km / 6 miles
Elevation Gain: 980m / 3,220ft

Today's hike presents a dramatic shift in scenery as you enter the stark alpine desert zone. Vegetation becomes sparse, and the landscape transforms into a rocky and barren terrain. The trail remains relatively gentle, but the altitude becomes increasingly noticeable. You'll trek across the saddle, a wide, desolate area connecting Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Kibo Hut is a basic stone structure nestled at the foot of the Kibo crater wall. This hut serves as your base camp for the summit attempt. Rest, hydrate, and mentally prepare for the challenging summit night ahead.

Day 6: Summit Day - Kibo Hut (4,700m/15,420ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)

Hiking Time: Approximately 10-15 hours (total for the day)
Habitat: Arctic Zone (Summit) / Alpine Desert / Heath and Moorland
Distance: Approximately 21 km / 13 miles (total for the day)
Elevation Gain: 1,195m / 3,921ft (to summit)
Elevation Loss: 2,175m / 7,121ft (from summit to Horombo)

Summit day begins in the darkness of the early morning, typically around midnight. The ascent to Gilman's Point (5,685m/18,650ft) on the crater rim is the most demanding part of the trek. You'll navigate steep switchbacks over loose scree and potentially icy sections. Reaching Gilman's Point is a significant achievement, offering a breathtaking sunrise over Mawenzi Peak. From Gilman's Point, the trail flattens as you traverse the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the "Roof of Africa" and the highest point on Kilimanjaro. Celebrate your incredible accomplishment at Uhuru Peak, capture unforgettable photos, and soak in the awe-inspiring panoramic views. The descent follows the same route back to Kibo Hut for a brief rest and refreshments, before continuing down to Horombo Hut for a well-deserved night's sleep. This is a long and physically challenging day, but the reward of reaching the summit is immeasurable.

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Day 6: Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Marangu Gate (1,860m/6,100ft)

Hiking Time: Approximately 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heath and Moorland / Montane Forest
Distance: Approximately 18 km / 11 miles
Elevation Loss: 1,860m / 6,100ft

The final day is a long but enjoyable descent back to Marangu Gate. Relish the easier downhill trek as you retrace your steps through the moorland and forest zones. Take time to reflect on your incredible Kilimanjaro journey and the stunning landscapes you've conquered. At Marangu Gate, you will receive your official summit certificates – a tangible symbol of your extraordinary achievement! After saying farewell to your trekking team, you will be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha, filled with memories of your 6-day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route adventure.

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This tour starts and ends in Arusha or Moshi

We recommend you book your own international flights

Fly to from Kilimanjaro Airport JRO Check the price near Arusha. Or fly to from Arusha Airport ARK Check price via Dar es Salaam or Nairobi Kenya

A transfer from and back to the airport is included

Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the 6-Day Marangu Route

1. Is the 6-Day Marangu Route Difficult?

The 6-Day Marangu Route is considered moderately challenging. While it's known as the "Coca-Cola" route and is often perceived as easier due to hut accommodation, it still involves significant altitude gain and physical exertion. The summit day is particularly demanding, requiring a long trek at high altitude. However, the well-maintained trail and gradual ascent profile, especially with the included acclimatization day, make it manageable for people with reasonable fitness levels and a positive attitude. Proper preparation, including training and acclimatization, is key to success.

2. What is the Accommodation Like on the Marangu Route?

Unlike other Kilimanjaro routes, the Marangu Route offers hut accommodation at every campsite. You'll sleep in dormitory-style huts at Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut, and Kibo Hut. Huts provide basic but welcome shelter from the elements, with beds (usually bunk beds) and mattresses. You will need to bring your own sleeping bag. Toilet facilities are available at each hut, but showers are not. While huts are more comfortable than tents, they are still basic mountain accommodation and can be crowded, especially during peak season.

3. How Important is Acclimatization on the 6-Day Marangu Route?

Acclimatization is extremely important on any Kilimanjaro climb, including the 6-Day Marangu Route. Altitude sickness is a real risk, and proper acclimatization is the best way to mitigate it. This 6-day itinerary includes a dedicated acclimatization day at Horombo Hut (Day 3), which is crucial for allowing your body to adjust to the increasing altitude. It's essential to drink plenty of water, ascend slowly, and listen to your body throughout the trek. Following your guide's advice and taking the acclimatization day seriously will significantly improve your summit chances and overall well-being.

4. What is Summit Day Like on the 6-Day Marangu Route?

Summit day on the Marangu Route is the most challenging and longest day of the trek. You'll typically start your summit attempt around midnight from Kibo Hut (4,700m/15,420ft). The ascent to Gilman's Point (5,685m/18,650ft) on the crater rim is steep and over loose scree, often in very cold and windy conditions. From Gilman's Point, you'll traverse the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,341ft), the highest point in Africa. The entire summit day, including the descent back to Horombo Hut, can take 10-15 hours. It requires significant physical and mental endurance, but reaching Uhuru Peak is an incredibly rewarding experience.

5. What Kind of Scenery Can I Expect on the 6-Day Marangu Route?

The 6-Day Marangu Route offers diverse and beautiful scenery as you ascend Kilimanjaro. You'll trek through:

Lush Montane Forest (Day 1 & Descent): Experience the rainforest with its unique flora and fauna, including Colobus monkeys.
Heath and Moorland (Day 2 & Acclimatization Day & Descent): As you gain altitude, the forest transitions to open moorland with giant heather and views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Alpine Desert (Day 4 & Summit Day): The landscape becomes stark and rocky as you enter the high-altitude desert zone, with dramatic volcanic features.
Arctic Zone (Summit): At the summit, you'll be in a glaciated zone with panoramic views of the crater and surrounding landscapes.