Tanzania · Trekking

5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route to Uhuru Peak

5 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Admire wonderful views of Kibo, Mount Meru, and Mawenzi
02 Trek through the attractive and unspoiled forest to Mandara Hut
03 Experience stunning sunrises and sunsets above the clouds at Horombo Hut
04 Climb by torchlight to Gillman's Point for sunrise on Kilimanjaro
05 Continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak past spectacular summit glaciers

Tackle the Marangu Route, also known as the Coca-Cola Route, on this 5-day Kilimanjaro trek. As the mountain's oldest and most popular route, it offers a classic ascent with wonderful views of Kibo, Mount Meru, and Mawenzi. Walk through forest, moorland, and high-altitude alpine terrain as you make your way toward the summit. This trek combines the incomparable natural beauty of Kilimanjaro with the experience of climbing one of Africa's most iconic peaks.

Start the ascent by torchlight at about 1 am so that you can be at Gillman's Point by sunrise.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Kilimanjaro and Transfer to Moshi

Get picked up and transferred to Keys Hotel in Moshi, followed by a briefing from your mountain guide. Then rest on a full-board accommodation plan.

Day 02

Kilimanjaro Park Gate to Mandara Hut

Take a short drive from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1,830 m), which lies at the edge of Marangu, an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations.
After completing the entrance formalities, climb through the attractive and unspoiled forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,700 m).
- The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is rich birdlife at the huts, and monkeys are often seen as well.

(3-5 hours walking to Mandara Hut)

Day 03

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut عبر Moorland

The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and, in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Climb steadily through the moorland zone, with giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach Horombo Hut (3,720 m). Sunrises and sunsets here are often very stunning. The site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo, and there is a real sense of being above the clouds.

(4-6 hours walking from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut)

Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut Across the Saddle

Climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to scree, and there is a palpable sense of high-altitude wilderness.
Reach Kibo Hut (4,700 m) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday, and the afternoon is free. The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night.

(4-5 hours walking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut)

Day 05

Summit Push to Gillman's Point and Uhuru Peak

Start the ascent by torchlight at about 1 am so that you can be at Gillman's Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over the loose volcanic scree, but some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will bring you to Gillman's (5,685 m) in about five or six hours.
Rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. Those who are still feeling strong can make the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area.
The descent is surprisingly fast; return to Horombo Hut for the night.

(11-15 hours walking from Kibo Hut to Gillman's Point)