5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek on the Marangu Coca Cola Route

Take a short drive from Moshi town to the Kilimanjaro Park Gate (1830 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 (2700 m). The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and make a good afternoon excursion. Alternatively, you can 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).

The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through the 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 (3720 m). Sunrises and sunsets here are often 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).

Climb very gradually towards the alpine 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 (4700 m) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday, and the afternoon is free to contemplate the summit ascent. 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.)

Start your ascent under torchlight at about 1 a.m. so that you can be at Gillman's Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over loose volcanic scree, but there are some well-graded zigzags, and a slow but steady pace will bring you to Gillman's (5685 m) in about five or six hours. Rest there and spend some time witnessing the sunrise. You can also 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.

Begin the descent, which is surprisingly fast, and return to Horombo Hut for the night. (11-15 hours walking from Kibo Hut to Gillman's Point).

After breakfast, begin with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then continue with a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates before returning to Moshi town. The greenness and lushness of the forest is a stunning contrast to summit day, and it really makes you realize how varied the scenery on Kilimanjaro truly is. (5-6 hours of walking).

You can also choose to visit local children and share cake with them, depending on your interest and whether you have time for that.