Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Summit Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro
02 Trek the Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro's oldest and most well-established path
03 Pass through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert in a single climb
04 Stay in mountain huts instead of camping on Kilimanjaro
05 Take in views of Kibo and Mawenzi along the ascent

Hike Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route, also known as the "Coca-Cola" route and the oldest, most well-established path on the mountain. This 6-day trek passes through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert, with overnight stays at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo huts before the final summit push. Reach Uhuru Peak for breathtaking views and complete your adventure with a descent back to Marangu Gate.

We wake up in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa.

From the itinerary

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 Rainforest

We head to Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before beginning our trek. The trail climbs through tropical rainforest near the upper edge of the forest line, where we sometimes see playful blue monkeys.
The trail then widens to reveal beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.

Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft to 8,858 ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Hut: Mandara Hut

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut across Moorland

Our second day on the trail starts with a steep ascent through the forest and then opens into high moorland. If the sky is clear, we might get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, the two volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Elevation (ft): 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft

Distance: 12 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Heath / Moorland

Day 03

Acclimatization Hike to Mawenzi Hut and Back

This extra day is used for acclimatization. We hike towards, or all the way to, Mawenzi Hut and then return. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi.

Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 14,160 ft to 12,205 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 3-5 hours

Habitat: Heath

Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut via the Saddle

On this day, we climb gently and then cross the lunar desert of the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach our campsite, which sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall.

Once at camp, we rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for summit day.

Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft

Distance: 10 km

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 05

Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

We wake up in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa. The trail to Gilman's Point is very steep, and the ascent will be slow and steady.
From Gilman's, it is a traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. We stay at the summit for a short time to take photos and enjoy the views before retracing our steps all the way back to Horombo Hut.

Elevation (ft): 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,205 ft

Distance: 22 km

Hiking Time: 10-13 hours

Habitat: Arctic

Day 06

Descent to Marangu Gate and Return to Moshi

A long trek is in store for today; however, it is mostly downhill. Once we reach the park headquarters at Marangu Gate, we will collect our certificate that proves our achievement and catch our vehicle transfer back to the hotel in Moshi.
Day of departure: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport.

Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft

Distance: 20 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Habitat: Rainforest

Where this trip takes you

Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut, Kibo Hut, Uhuru Peak

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

Park fees
Hut fees
Rescue fees
18% VAT on tour fees and services, which accounts for nearly 55% of the total cost charged
Transportation to and from the mountain gate
Professional mountain guides, cooks, and porters
3 meals daily while on the mountain

What's Not Included

Both national and international flights
Medical insurance
Tips to the mountain crew
Items of a personal nature
Laundry services
Alcoholic beverages

Know before you go

This is the only route that offers sleeping huts in dormitory-style accommodation instead of camping.
There are 60 bunk beds each at 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.
Many favour Marangu because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct path. However, the short time frame of the route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast.
Marangu is, unfortunately, less scenic than the other routes because the ascent and descent are along the same path. It is also the most crowded route for that reason.

Logistics