6-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek with Extra Acclimatization

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek Mount Kilimanjaro via the iconic Marangu "Coca-Cola" Route
02 Sleep in mountain huts at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo instead of camping
03 Enjoy an extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut with a guided hike
04 Cross the dramatic Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo in the alpine desert zone
05 Reach Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa, on a midnight summit push

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro on the classic 6-day Marangu Route, famously known as the "Coca-Cola Route." This well-established trail offers the comfort of hut accommodation each night, with a scenic progression from lush rainforest to open heath and moorland, across the stark Saddle, and up to Africa's highest point. A key advantage of this itinerary is the extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut, helping you adapt to altitude before the summit push. You will set off from Kibo Hut around midnight for your ascent to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), then descend back through changing landscapes to Marangu Gate and transfer to Moshi to celebrate your achievement.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Yes

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut Through Rainforest

DAY 1: MARANGU GATE - MANDARA HUT
Elevation: 1,860 m - 2,720 m
Distance: Approximately 8 km
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Overnight: Mandara Hut

After breakfast, drive from Moshi to Marangu Gate. Complete park registration and meet your mountain crew. Begin your trek through the lush rainforest, with opportunities to see birds and other wildlife.

Continue steadily uphill to Mandara Hut, where you will have dinner and spend your first night on the mountain.

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut Across Moorland

DAY 2: MANDARA HUT - HOROMBO HUT
Elevation: 2,720 m - 3,720 m
Distance: Approximately 12 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Overnight: Horombo Hut

After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and enter the beautiful heath and moorland zone. The trail gradually opens up, providing views of the surrounding landscape and, weather permitting, spectacular views of Mawenzi and Kibo.

Arrive at Horombo Hut in the afternoon. Enjoy dinner and rest for the night.

Day 03

Horombo Hut Acclimatization Hike

DAY 3: HOROMBO HUT ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
Elevation: 3,720 m
Hiking time: Approximately 3-5 hours
Overnight: Horombo Hut

Today is dedicated to acclimatization. After breakfast, take a guided acclimatization hike toward the Mawenzi side of the mountain, gaining altitude during the day before returning to Horombo Hut.

Enjoy lunch, rest, and prepare for the higher elevations ahead.

Tip: "Climb high, sleep low" helps your body adapt to altitude.

Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut Across the Saddle

DAY 4: HOROMBO HUT - KIBO HUT
Elevation: 3,720 m - 4,703 m
Distance: Approximately 10 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Overnight: Kibo Hut

After breakfast, begin the trek across the famous Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo.

The landscape becomes increasingly dry and rocky as you enter the alpine desert. Take a slow and steady pace as you approach Kibo Hut.

After dinner, rest early and prepare for the summit attempt. Your guide will brief you about the midnight departure.

Day 05

Summit Uhuru Peak and Descend to Horombo Hut

DAY 5: KIBO HUT - UHURU PEAK - HOROMBO HUT
Kibo Hut: 4,703 m
Uhuru Peak: 5,895 m
Summit distance: Approximately 6 km ascent + 16 km descent
Hiking time: 12-15 hours
Overnight: Horombo Hut

Wake around midnight and begin the most challenging part of your adventure.

Ascend slowly toward Gilman's Point on the crater rim. Continue along the crater rim toward Stella Point and then onward to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

Celebrate your achievement and take photographs at the summit before beginning the descent.

Descend to Kibo Hut for a short rest and refreshments, then continue down to Horombo Hut.

Dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 06

Final Descent to Marangu Gate and Return to Moshi

DAY 6: HOROMBO HUT - MARANGU GATE - MOSHI
Elevation: 3,720 m - 1,860 m
Distance: Approximately 20 km
Hiking time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Moorland - Rainforest

After breakfast, begin your final descent through the moorland and rainforest.

Pass Mandara Hut and continue toward Marangu Gate. At the gate, complete the park exit procedures and receive your summit certificate if applicable.

Meet your vehicle and transfer back to Moshi for a well-deserved shower, rest, and celebration.

END OF TREK - CONGRATULATIONS!
You have completed the 6-Day Marangu Route and reached the Roof of Africa!

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

Private airport/mountain transfers as specified
Professional, experienced Kilimanjaro mountain guide
Assistant guide(s), depending on group size
Professional mountain porters
5 nights' hut accommodation on the mountain
All Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees
Camping/hut fees and applicable conservation fees
Rescue/evacuation fees required by the park
All meals during the mountain trek: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Drinking water during the trek
Guide and porter park fees and crew wages
Government taxes and applicable service charges
Pre-trek briefing in Moshi
Summit certificate for successful climbers

What's Not Included

International flights
Tanzania visa
Travel insurance
Personal medical/evacuation insurance
Hotel accommodation in Moshi before or after the climb
Tips for guides, porters, and other mountain crew
Personal hiking equipment and clothing
Sleeping bag
Trekking poles
Personal snacks and energy drinks
Alcoholic and soft drinks
Laundry services
Personal expenses
Extra nights or services caused by itinerary changes
Any activity not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
Costs arising from early descent or voluntary withdrawal from the trek

What to bring

Clothing: 2-3 moisture-wicking T-shirts, 2 long-sleeve hiking shirts, 2 hiking trousers, 1 thermal base-layer top, 1 thermal base-layer bottom, 1 fleece/warm sweater, 1 warm insulated jacket, 1 waterproof jacket, 1 waterproof trousers, 3-5 pairs of hiking socks, 1-2 pairs of warm thermal socks, and a warm hat/beanie.
Sun hat/cap, lightweight gloves, warm insulated gloves for summit night, and comfortable clothes for sleeping.
Footwear: Good, broken-in hiking boots, lightweight shoes/sandals for the huts, and gaiters (optional but useful in wet/muddy conditions).
Bags: Daypack of about 20-30 L, duffel bag for the main trekking equipment carried by the mountain crew, rain cover for your daypack, and waterproof bags/dry bags for clothing and electronics.
Sleeping: Warm sleeping bag suitable for freezing conditions, sleeping-bag liner (optional), and a small travel pillow or inflatable pillow.
Water and snacks: Water bottles or a hydration system with enough capacity for the day's needs, electrolyte/rehydration drink, energy bars, nuts/trail mix, chocolate, dried fruit, and other familiar high-energy snacks.
Sun and personal protection: Sunglasses with good UV protection, sunscreen, lip balm with SPF, small personal first-aid kit, personal medications, hand sanitizer, tissues/toilet paper, wet wipes, and a small towel.
Electronics and useful items: Headlamp, spare batteries, phone, power bank, charging cables, small camera (optional), watch, passport/required travel documents, and some cash for personal expenses/tips.
Trekking equipment: Trekking poles, water-resistant backpack, headlamp, water bottles, small personal first-aid kit, and hiking gaiters if desired.

Know before you go

The 6-day Marangu Route is a serious high-altitude trek, reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft).
Marangu is different from most other routes because accommodation is in mountain huts rather than tents.

Logistics