5 Days Marangu Route

The Marangu Route is one of the most popular and straightforward routes to summit Mount Kilimanjaro, known for its scenic beauty and relatively less technical difficulty. It is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route due to its well-established infrastructure and the presence of huts along the way, making it the only route on the mountain where you can sleep in a cabin, as opposed to tents.

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1,860m) to Mandara Hut (2,700m)

Your adventure begins at the Marangu Gate (1,860 meters), where you will go through registration and equipment checks. Afterward, the trek begins through lush rainforest. The trail is relatively easy with some gradual ascents, and you may encounter wildlife such as monkeys and birds along the way. Upon arrival at Mandara Hut (2,700 meters), you’ll find a comfortable cabin with bunk beds and basic facilities.

Overnight: Mandara Hut
Meals: Provided by the trekking company (breakfast, lunch, dinner)

Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,700m) to Horombo Hut (3,720m)

On this day, the trail takes you above the tree line into the moorland zone with increasingly open views of the surrounding area. You will pass through beautiful alpine meadows, where you’ll see wildflowers and a few animals. The hike involves some gradual ascent, and although the day’s trek can be physically demanding, the huts offer a well-deserved rest at Horombo Hut (3,720 meters).

Horombo Hut is the highest point at which you can enjoy hot meals and a warm bed, and you’ll start to feel the altitude. It’s essential to hydrate well and take it easy to allow your body to adjust to the higher elevation.

Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Provided by the trekking company

Day 3: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Kibo Hut (4,700m)

This day is a long and challenging trek, as you ascend to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters), located just below the summit. The terrain transitions from the alpine meadow to a desert-like landscape with rocky and barren terrain. The path is generally less steep but still tiring as you gain altitude. It’s important to pace yourself and conserve energy for the upcoming summit attempt.

Upon reaching Kibo Hut, you will rest for the night. This will be your final overnight stop before making the final push for the summit. Kibo Hut is at high altitude, so the air is thinner, and it’s essential to rest, hydrate, and prepare for the summit attempt.

Overnight: Kibo Hut
Meals: Provided by the trekking company

Day 4: Kibo Hut (4,700m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) and Descend to Horombo Hut (3,720m)

This is the summit day, which is the most demanding day of the trek. The ascent begins very early in the morning (typically around midnight) to allow for an early arrival at Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters), the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro.

The trail is steep and takes you through the scree slopes of the crater rim. The higher you go, the more challenging the climb, as you deal with fatigue and altitude. The final push to the summit can be physically and mentally taxing, but the sunrise from Uhuru Peak is absolutely breathtaking, and the sense of accomplishment when you reach the summit is incredible.

After summiting, you’ll begin the descent back to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters), which can be equally taxing on your knees and muscles. The descent is much faster than the ascent, but you’ll still need to be cautious, especially in the higher sections.

Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Provided by the trekking company

Day 5: Horombo Hut (3,720m) to Marangu Gate (1,860m)

On the final day, you will descend from Horombo Hut back to the Marangu Gate. The path is much easier and quicker than the previous days, as you retrace your steps through the moorland and rainforest zones. You will pass through some of the lush forest once again, where you may see wildlife and beautiful vegetation.

Once you reach the Marangu Gate, you will sign out and receive your completion certificate, depending on how far you’ve reached (usually a certificate for reaching Uhuru Peak).