Tanzania · Trekking

5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Climb to Uhuru Peak

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa
02 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on the continent
03 Walk through rainforest, moorland, and the dramatic saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi
04 Spend the nights in mountain huts along the Marangu route

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and a dormant volcano, on the Marangu route, also referred to as the "Coca-Cola" route. Known as the easiest path on the mountain, this trek takes you through beautiful landscapes from rainforest to moorland and up to Uhuru Peak. Spend your nights in huts along the way and enjoy magnificent summit views before descending back to Arusha.

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa and a dormant volcano, on the Marangu route, also referred to as the "Coca-Cola" route.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Arusha, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Marangu Gate and Mandara Hut

Have breakfast and attend a briefing at your hotel in Arusha, then drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, register, and commence the climb.
Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
Look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys in the rainforest.
Arrive at Mandara Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Altitude: 1,700 m to 2,740 m
Distance covered: 7 km
Time to be used: 4-5 hours
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Mandara Hut

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Follow an ascending path across the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment.
Enjoy views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo.
Look for giant lobelias and groundsels along the way.
Arrive at Horombo Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Altitude: 2,700 m to 3,700 m
Distance Covered: 11 km
Time to be used: 6-8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 03

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Start the ascent and pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland and then disappears into a "moonscape".
Arrive at Kibo Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Altitude: 3,700 m to 4,700 m
Distance Covered: 10 km
Time to be used: 6-8 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Day 04

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and Horombo Hut

Wake up early in the morning and commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim.
Continue ascending to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Arrive at the summit, enjoy the beautiful views, and click lots of amazing photographs.
Begin the descent after a halt for lunch.
Rest at Kibo Hut before continuing to the Horombo encampment.
Arrive at Horombo Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Altitude: 4,700 m to 5,895 m

Altitude: 5,895 m to 3,700 m
Distance Covered: 4 km up / 14 km down
Time to be used: 10-15 hrs
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 05

Horombo Hut to Arusha

Have breakfast, then continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts.
Have lunch, then proceed with your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to Marangu Park Gate.
Arrive at the gate, hop onto a vehicle, and travel back to your hotel in Arusha.

Altitude: 3,700 m to 1,700 m
Distance Covered: 18 km
Time to be used: 5-7 hrs
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch

The route