6-Day Marangu Route Trek to Kilimanjaro's Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Admire the views of Kibo and Mawenzi
02 Trek through the forest area of Mandara
03 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
04 Follow the Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro's oldest and most well-established trail

Hike the oldest and most well-established route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on this 6-day Marangu Route trek. Popularly referred to as the "Coca-Cola" route, it is favoured by many climbers for its relatively easy path and for being the only route that offers dormitory-style sleeping huts. Trek through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert, take in views of Kibo and Mawenzi, and reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, while experiencing the incomparable natural beauty of Kilimanjaro.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 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

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut through the Rainforest

After breakfast and a trek briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate to register and commence the trek.
Walk through the rainforest towards Mandara Hut. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to view the surrounding areas, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
While trekking through the forest, look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: L/D
Budget Lodging: Mandara Hut

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut across the Moorlands

Leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path across the open moorlands towards Horombo Hut.
From here, enjoy the amazing views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo.
Look for giant lobelias and groundsels.
After a while, it is possible to start feeling the effects of high altitude.
Arrive at Horombo Hut and stay overnight.

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: B/L/D
Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

Day 03

Rest Day at Horombo Hut

Enjoy a full day of rest at Horombo Hut, with an optional hike to Mawenzi Peak.

Meals: B/L/D
Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut.

Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut via the Saddle

After breakfast, start ascending towards Kibo Hut.
Pass the last watering point while walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi, where the vegetation begins as upper heathland and then disappears into a "moonscape".
Arrive at Kibo Hut for dinner, rest, and preparation for the summit climb.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
Distance: 9km/5.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: B/L/D
Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut

Day 05

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

Early in the morning, between midnight and 2 am, commence the journey towards the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point on the crater rim.
Ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, and enjoy the unbelievable view.
Have your picture taken at the summit for friends and family.
Begin descending from the summit.
Stop on the way for lunch and rest at Kibo Hut before continuing on to Horombo Hut.

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: B/L/D
Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

Day 06

Horombo Hut to Moshi via Marangu Gate

After breakfast, begin a steady descent through the moorland to Mandara Hut.
Continue descending through the lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu and collect your climbing certificate.
Transfer back to the hotel in Moshi.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: B

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Moshi 3 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

2 nights accommodation
Professional, experienced, English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guides
All park fees
Rescue fees
All meals while on the mountain
Arrival and departure transfers
Salaries and park fees of guides, porters, and cook
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
Clean, purified drinking water
Crisis management and safety procedures
Fair and ethical treatment of porters
Sleeping mattress

What's Not Included

Tanzania visa: US$50 per person on arrival
Personal expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
Meals not listed above
Optional tours (short safari after your climb, etc.)
Tips and any items of a personal nature

Know before you go

The climb begins in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights.
It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers.
The early morning (02:00 am) trek is by far the most difficult part of the ascent, with many switchbacks. Going slowly and maintaining an optimistic attitude will help get you there.
At lower elevations, it can get wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help.
At lower elevations, shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
There are 60 bunk beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.
Guests are supplied with mattresses and pillows, but sleeping bags are still required.
The huts have communal dining halls and basic washrooms, ranging from flushing toilets and running water at the lower huts to long-drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut.

Logistics