5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek with Hut Accommodation

5 Days Round trip from Marangu Gate – Marangu Gate Hard pace
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The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Trek through Marangu rainforest with blue and colobus monkeys
  • 02 Visit Mandara Hut and take the optional short walk to Maundi Crater
  • 03 Cross Horombo's open moorland with giant heather and lobelia plants
  • 04 Traverse the Saddle, the high-altitude desert between Mawenzi and Kibo
  • 05 Enjoy clear views of Mawenzi Peak at 5,149 m
  • 06 Reach Gilman's Point at 5,685 m and Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m
  • 07 Watch sunrise over the African plains from the summit

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa at 5,895 m, on the Marangu Route. Known as the "Coca-Cola Route," Marangu is the only route with sleeping huts, so you sleep in a bed rather than a tent, and you ascend and descend on the same path. This trek takes 5 days and 4 nights on the mountain, accompanied by a licensed guide, assistant guides, porters, and a cook. Please note that a 5-day climb is fast and has no extra rest day, so success rates are lower than on 6-day climbs and good fitness is needed.

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

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut Through Rainforest

  • Pick-up: After breakfast, your guide picks you up from your hotel in Marangu or Moshi and drives you to Marangu Gate (1,860 m).
  • Park formalities: You sign in at the park office while the porters pack the bags.
  • Trek: The walk starts through thick rainforest, where blue monkeys and colobus monkeys are often seen in the trees.
  • Distance / Time: You walk about 8 km in 4 to 5 hours to Mandara Hut (2,700 m).
  • Lunch: Lunch is a packed lunch on the trail.
  • Dinner / Overnight: Dinner and overnight stay are at the hut.
  • Optional: There is an optional short walk to Maundi Crater for good views.
2
Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut Across Moorland

  • Trek: After breakfast, you leave the forest and walk into open moorland with giant heather and wild flowers.
  • Views: The path climbs steadily, and the views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks become clearer.
  • Distance / Time: You walk about 12 km in 5 to 7 hours to Horombo Hut (3,720 m).
  • Meals: Lunch is on the trail, and dinner is at the hut.
  • Note: You may feel the altitude, so walk slowly ("pole pole") and drink plenty of water.
3
Day 03

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut Across the Saddle

  • Trek: Today you cross the "Saddle," a wide high-altitude desert between Mawenzi and Kibo.
  • Terrain: The land is dry and rocky, with very little plant life.
  • Distance / Time: You walk about 10 km in 5 to 6 hours to Kibo Hut (4,700 m).
  • Lunch: Lunch is on the trail.
  • Rest: After an early dinner, you rest and sleep for a few hours because the summit climb starts around midnight.
  • Preparation: Keep your warm clothes and headlamp ready.
4
Day 04

Summit Uhuru Peak and Descend to Horombo Hut

  • Wake-up: You wake at about 11:30 pm, have tea and biscuits, and start the summit climb at midnight by headlamp.
  • Summit climb: The path is steep and zigzags over loose stones to Gilman's Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim.
  • Continue: From there, you continue for about 2 to 3 hours around the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) for sunrise, photos, and a great feeling of achievement.
  • Descent: After a short stay, you go down to Kibo Hut for a rest and breakfast, then continue down to Horombo Hut (3,720 m) for dinner and sleep.
  • Duration: This is a long day of about 14 to 16 hours of walking.
5
Day 05

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate Descent

  • Trek: After breakfast, you walk down through moorland and rainforest to Mandara Hut for lunch, then continue to Marangu Gate (1,860 m).
  • Park formalities: At the gate, you sign out and receive your summit certificate for Gilman's Point or Uhuru Peak.
  • Transfer: Your driver takes you back to your hotel in Marangu or Moshi for a hot shower and rest.
  • End: The tour ends here.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Marangu Gate – Marangu Gate 3 cities · 5 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Airport pick-up and drop-off (Kilimanjaro Airport), and transfers to and from Marangu Gate
  • Park entry fees, hut fees, camping fees, and rescue fees
  • Licensed English-speaking mountain guide, assistant guides, cook, and porters
  • Hut accommodation on the mountain (4 nights)
  • All meals on the mountain, with drinking water
  • Oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter for safety checks
  • First aid kit and summit certificate
  • Government taxes and VAT

What's Not Included

  • International flights and visas
  • Hotel nights before and after the climb (unless booked)
  • Tips for the guide, cook, and porters
  • Personal climbing gear (boots, jacket, sleeping bag, poles) - can be rented
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Drinks, snacks, and personal items
  • Any extra items not listed in the inclusions

What to bring

  • Warm layered clothes
  • Waterproof jacket and trousers
  • Hiking boots that are already worn in
  • Warm hat and gloves
  • Headlamp
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen
  • Water bottle
  • Personal medicine

Know before you go

Please note: A 5-day climb is fast and has no extra rest day. Success rates are lower than on 6-day climbs. Good fitness is needed.

Booking cut-off: 30 days before the departure date (late bookings by request, if permits and huts are free)

Departure dates: Daily departures all year, on request. Best months: January-March and June-October.

  • Note: Hotel nights before and after the climb are optional and can be arranged on request. Hotel names and star ratings can change to similar hotels depending on availability.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Marangu
Tour start
Marangu Gate – Marangu Gate
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 5 days finish where they began, in Marangu Gate – Marangu Gate.

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Estimated room rates

Single Room $1,900.00 — $2,400.00
Double Sharing $1,600.00 — $2,000.00
Triple Sharing $1,500.00 — $1,900.00

When

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