Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Hike with Uhuru Peak Summit

6 Days Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Trek Kilimanjaro via the historic Marangu Route, the mountain's oldest established trail
02 Hike through rainforest and rolling moorlands with clear views of towering Kilimanjaro
03 Acclimatize at Horombo with a hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock
04 Cross the Kibo Saddle, the great desert between Mawenzi and Kibo
05 Reach Uhuru Peak near sunrise and take in views from Kilimanjaro's true summit

Embark on a 6-day journey to Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route, also known as the "Coca-Cola" route. Approaching the mountain from the southeast, this is the oldest established route and is favoured by many because it is considered the easiest route on Kilimanjaro. Trek through rainforest to Mandara Hut, cross the saddle between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo, and continue to Uhuru Peak to marvel at the views from the top of the mountain.

Trek through rainforest to Mandara Hut, cross the saddle between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo, and continue to Uhuru Peak to marvel at the views from the top of the mountain.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Moshi to Marangu Gate and Mandara Hut

You will be transferred from your hotel to Marangu Gate for registration. Afterwards, you will begin trekking through the rainforest to Mandara Hut. Here, you will have an acclimatization opportunity with a visit to Maundi Crater, followed by dinner and an overnight stay at Mandara Hut.

Elevation: 1200 m to 1,750 m to 2,750 m

Distance: 9 km

Trekking Time: 3 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

After breakfast, you will climb out of the rainforest and continue trekking to Horombo Hut. Along the way, you will pass through rolling moorlands and get your first clear view of towering Kilimanjaro.

Elevation: 2750 m to 3,807 m

Distance: 13 km

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Moorlands

Day 03

Acclimatization at Horombo Hut

Spend an extra day at Horombo Hut during the 6-day itinerary for acclimatization purposes. On this day, you will hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock to help your body adjust to the higher altitude.
After this acclimatization session, you will return to Horombo Hut for lunch and rest until dinner and your overnight stay.

Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

After a good night's rest and breakfast, you will trek past the last water point to reach Kibo Saddle, the great desert between the two peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. An early dinner and overnight stay follow at Kibo Hut.

Elevation(m): 3807 m to 4725 m

Distance: 13 km

Trekking time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Desert

Day 05

Summit Day to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

Wake for a light breakfast at midnight, then prepare for your summit ascent. Because you will climb to the summit in the dark, you must have your headlamps or flashlights ready. It will also be freezing until you descend, so you must have all your warm layers. This is the time to keep moving slowly - "pole pole" in Swahili.
The goal is to climb before dawn and reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. You will switchback up steep scree, or possibly snow, and reach Gilman's Point on the crater rim at 5,861 m/18,640 ft between 4 and 6 AM. At this point, you will see the fabled crater and its icecaps before you. After about 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snow, you will reach Kilimanjaro's true summit, Uhuru Peak, where you will spend some time taking photos. After your summit photos and time to take in the view, descend back to Kibo Huts for lunch, rest, and to collect your equipment, then continue down by re-crossing the saddle to Horombo Huts. Dinner and overnight will be at Horombo Camp.

Elevation: 4,695 m to 5,895 m to 3,690 m

Distance: 4 km up, 14 km down

Hiking Time: 10-15 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Day 06

Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate and Moshi

After a long sleep, you will be awakened for breakfast, pack up, and continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts. You will have lunch, then proceed on your triumphant descent through the lush forest to Marangu Park Gate. After signing out at the gate, a vehicle will take you back to the hotel, where it will be time for your certificate presentation and celebration.

Elevation: 3,690 m to 1,830 m to 1,387 m

Distance: 18 km

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours

Where this trip takes you

Mandara Hut rainforest, Kibo Saddle desert, Mawenzi Ridge, Uhuru Peak summit

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro 3 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
Return transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi and from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport
Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with dinner and breakfast included (double occupancy)
Bed, dinner, and breakfast, plus transfer from your hotel to the starting point for your climb and return to your hotel after your climb
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees, and climbing permits
Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only - not as a summiting aid)
Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
Qualified mountain guide, assistant guide, porter, and cook
Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
Camping equipment (tents, camp chairs, tables, and sleeping mattresses)
Water for washing up daily
Porter to carry your duffel bag (maximum weight 15 kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next
Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
A comprehensive Climbing Kilimanjaro travel info pack

What's Not Included

Flights and airport taxes
Items of a personal nature
Compulsory tips for guides, porters, and cook (average tip is anything from US $230 to US $300 per hiker - depending on the number of days, how many hikers are in the group, and the route chosen)
South African passport holders do not require a visa for Tanzania; however, most other nationalities require a visa for Tanzania
Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if travelling to Tanzania is recommended)
Highly recommended travel and medical insurance
Personal hiking/trekking gear - some gear can be rented from our equipment store in Tanzania
Optional, but highly recommended, portable toilet
Snacks, personal medicine, and water-purifying tablets
Meals and drinks not specified, and snacks

What to bring

TECHNICAL CLOTHING
- 1 - Waterproof jacket, breathable, with hood
- 1 - Insulated jacket, synthetic or down
- 1 - Soft jacket, fleece or soft-shell
- 2 - Long-sleeve shirts, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 - Short-sleeve shirt, lightweight, moisture-wicking fabric
- 1 - Waterproof pants, breathable (side zipper recommended)
- 2 - Hiking pants (convertible to shorts recommended)
- 1 - Fleece pants
- 1 - Shorts (optional)
- 1 - Long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
- 3 - Underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
- 2 - Sports bras (women)
FOOTWEAR
- 1 - Hiking boots, warm, waterproof, broken-in, with spare laces
- 1 - Athletic shoes to wear at camp (optional)
- 3 - Socks, thick, wool or synthetic
- 3 - Sock liners, tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters (optional)
- 1 - Gaiters, waterproof (optional)
EQUIPMENT
- 1 - Sleeping bag, warm, four seasons
- 1 - Sleeping pad, self-inflating or closed-cell foam - not needed if staying in huts
- 1 - Trekking poles (highly recommended)
- 1 - Headlamp with extra batteries
- 1 - Duffel bag for porters to carry your equipment
- 1 - Day pack for you to carry your gear

Know before you go

Recommended immunisations - As a sensible precaution, we recommend that you consider getting at least some of the following recommended immunisations:
- Hepatitis A - You can get Hepatitis A through contaminated food or water in Tanzania, regardless of where you are eating or staying.
- Typhoid - You can get Typhoid through contaminated food or water in Tanzania, especially if you are visiting smaller cities or rural areas. Please check with your local travel clinic for the latest recommendations.
Immigration & customs
An onward ticket and sufficient funds are required when entering Tanzania. Tanzanian people are friendly and will always offer a helping hand.
- Insurance - It is strongly advised to take out travel insurance, which should cover baggage as well as personal accident and medical insurance, and specifically cover your Kilimanjaro expedition.
- Language - The official languages are Ki-Swahili and English. There are more than 120 tribal vernaculars.
- Religion - Mainly Muslim, Christian, and traditional beliefs. Please keep in mind that you are entering a different country with strong religious customs.
- Security - As with any other town, walking alone at night is not advisable, and it is preferable to use taxis, which are available at most hotels. Do not leave cash or valuables in your hotel room, and use a safe deposit box to keep your belongings safe.
- Visa and entry requirements - Visas are required by most visitors to Tanzania. Visas are available at your local Tanzanian Embassy. Costs vary from country to country, and visas are valid for 3 months. It is possible, however, to obtain a tourist's visa for a single entry at any one of the four main entries into Tanzania, subject to the fulfilment of all immigration and health requirements for those who could not apply for a visa from a Tanzania Mission abroad. These are:
  - Dar-es-Salaam International Airport
  - Zanzibar International Airport
  - Kilimanjaro International Airport
  - Namanga Entry Point (Tanzania-Kenya border point)
Payment at all these points is in US Dollars or its equivalent in Sterling. For all other entry points in Tanzania, visitors must hold valid visas prior to approaching those entry points. However, in order to avoid unnecessary delays, those who proceed to Tanzania from a country where there is a Tanzania Diplomatic Mission or Consular Office are strongly advised to obtain their entry visa prior to departure to Tanzania.