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- Leen Adventures
- Add-On Safaris
6-Day Kilimanjaro Trek – Marangu Route
- Mount Kilimanjaro
Duration
6 days
Max People
12+
Min Age
9+
Tour Type
Add-On Safaris
Overview
The 6-day Marangu Route, famously known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is one of the most popular and direct paths to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest peak. This route is favored for its gradual ascent profile and the unique comfort of sleeping in mountain huts, making it ideal for trekkers who prefer not to camp.
You’ll journey through a variety of dramatic landscapes—from lush rainforest and moorland to alpine desert and the glacier-clad summit of Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters. The 6-day itinerary includes an extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut, increasing your chances of reaching the summit successfully.
Led by professional mountain guides and supported by a dedicated crew of porters and cooks, this trek provides not only physical challenge and adventure but also camaraderie, breathtaking scenery, and personal achievement. Whether you’re a first-time climber or a seasoned hiker, Marangu offers a scenic and rewarding Kilimanjaro experience.
Tour Highlights
- Departure and Return Place: Start/end from any hotel in Moshi or Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map).
- Departure Time: Please be ready by 7:30 AM for a prompt departure at 8:00 AM on Day 1.
- Return Time: Afternoon of Day 6 (approx. 3:30 PM at Moshi).
- Dress Code: Hiking boots, layered hiking clothing, waterproof gear, gloves, thermal wear, and a sun hat.
- Customizations: Can be tailored for private climbs, group treks, or luxury upgrades upon request.
- Extensions: Add-on options available: Serengeti safaris, Ngorongoro Crater, or Zanzibar beach.
- Season: The best trekking seasons are January–March and June–October, offering clear skies and better summit chances.
- Support Crew: Includes a professional mountain guide, assistant guides, porters, and a cook.
- Medical Safety: Daily health checks, pulse oximeter readings, and emergency oxygen available.
What to Expect on Tour
Expect a physically demanding but deeply rewarding high-altitude adventure through diverse climate zones. Each day presents new terrain, from moss-draped rainforest to high alpine desert and glacial slopes. You’ll hike with a dedicated support crew, sleep in warm mountain huts, and gradually acclimatize with built-in rest days. Reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro at sunrise is a spiritual experience and an unforgettable personal triumph for most climbers.
Includes/Excludes
- Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park
- All meals on the hike
- 2-night accommodation in lodge.
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
- Complete Expedition medical kits
- Value Added Tax by Tanzania Revenue Authority.
- Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
- Portable tented private flush toilet
- International Flights.
- All items of a personal nature.
- Tips and Gratuities
- Personal climbing gears
- Drinks and Beverage at Lodge during Safari
- Travel insurance we are highly recommends.
- Single Supplement (Single room) will be $150 per person.
- Visa fee (50 US$ /100 US$ for American or Irish Passport holders – to be paid upon arrival).
📍 Day 1: Marangu Gate (1,860m) – Mandara Hut (2,700m)
After breakfast and briefing in Moshi, drive to Marangu Gate where registration and final equipment checks are completed. Begin your trek through Kilimanjaro’s lush rainforest. Watch for black-and-white colobus monkeys and colorful birds. After a 4–5 hour hike, arrive at Mandara Hut for dinner and overnight. An optional walk to Maundi Crater offers stunning views of Kenya’s interior.
- Elevation Gain: +840 meters
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Accommodation: Mandara Hut
- Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
📍 Day 2: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Today’s trek ascends through heath and moorland, with views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The vegetation shifts to giant lobelias and groundsel as you climb higher. After 5–7 hours of steady ascent, arrive at Horombo Hut, your home for the next two nights. Enjoy the sunset over the clouds as you prepare for acclimatization.
- Elevation Gain: +1,020 meters
- Hiking Time: 5–7 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
📍 Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
Spend the day acclimatizing with a hike to Zebra Rocks (3,980m) or further to Mawenzi Saddle (optional). This extra day is key to increasing your chances of a successful summit. Return to Horombo Hut for a hot lunch, rest, and high-altitude briefings by your guide. Enjoy a relaxed evening under a starlit sky.
- Elevation Gain (Zebra Rocks): +260 meters
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours roundtrip
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
📍 Day 4: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut (4,703m)
Depart after breakfast and trek through the Alpine Desert zone, where the air becomes thinner and vegetation sparse. Cross the “Last Water Point” and reach the base camp at Kibo Hut, nestled below Kibo Crater. Rest, hydrate, and have an early dinner before preparing for the midnight summit attempt.
- Elevation Gain: +983 meters
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Accommodation: Kibo Hut
- Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
📍 Day 5: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)
Begin your summit push just after midnight. The trail is steep, cold, and challenging—ascending to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) and on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After celebrating at the summit, descend carefully to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue down to Horombo Hut for a well-earned meal and overnight rest.
- Elevation Gain: +1,192 meters
- Elevation Loss: -2,175 meters
- Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Included: Lunch & Dinner
📍 Day 6: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi
Enjoy your final descent through moorland and rainforest, retracing your steps back to Marangu Gate. You’ll receive your summit certificate at the park office, then transfer to your hotel in Moshi for a warm shower and celebration. Optional massage or city tour available.
- Elevation Loss: -1,860 meters
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Accommodation: Not included (drop-off in Moshi)
- Meals Included: Lunch
How fit do I need to be for this trek?
While technical climbing skills aren’t required, good physical fitness and mental determination are essential. The trek involves long hiking days, steep ascents, and altitude exposure. With proper preparation—regular cardio, long-distance walking, and altitude training—you’ll increase your chances of success. The Marangu Route’s gradual incline and hut accommodation make it suitable for beginners, especially with the extra acclimatization day included.
Are the huts comfortable and safe?
Yes, the Marangu Route uses permanent A-frame huts, offering a bed, mattress, solar lighting, and shared toilets. You’ll sleep in dormitory-style rooms (4–12 people per hut) with access to communal dining areas. While basic, they protect from rain and cold and eliminate the need to pitch tents. These huts are well-maintained, and our team ensures cleanliness and safety throughout the journey.
What if I experience altitude sickness?
Altitude sickness is a risk above 2,500 meters. Our guides are trained to monitor your symptoms daily using health checks and pulse oximeters. We ascend gradually, include an acclimatization day, and encourage hydration and rest. Mild symptoms like headache and nausea are common and manageable. In severe cases, we facilitate safe, immediate descent. Portable oxygen and first aid kits are carried for emergency support.
What should I pack for the trek?
Essential items include a warm sleeping bag (rated to -10°C), waterproof hiking boots, layered clothing, thermal base layers, a down jacket, gloves, headlamp, water bottles/hydration pack, and high-SPF sunscreen. We’ll provide a full packing list upon booking. Porters carry your main bag (up to 15kg); you only carry a daypack with water, snacks, and essentials during each day’s hike.
Do I need a permit or insurance?
We arrange all climbing permits and park fees, so no action is needed on your part. However, travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking (up to 6,000 meters) is mandatory. This should include emergency evacuation, trip cancellation, and medical coverage. Make sure to carry a printed copy of your policy. Without appropriate coverage, you won’t be permitted to start the trek.
Can I climb Kilimanjaro solo or in a private group?
Yes! We offer private treks for solo travelers, couples, and custom groups. You’ll have your own guide and crew, and the itinerary can be personalized for pace or rest days. While the cost is higher than group departures, the flexibility and privacy are often worth it. We also organize group climbs with fixed dates to share costs and meet fellow trekkers if that suits you better.
Pricing
| Number of People | Cost Per Person |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $2,100 |
| 2 people | $1,250 |
| 3 people | $1,060 |
| 4 people | $940 |
| 5 people | $890 |
| 6–10 people | $840 |
Accommodation
| Tour Day | Budget Camping Package | Standard Package |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Outpost Lodge / Tulia Boutique Hotel / Green Mountain Hotel | Ilboru Safari Lodge / Arusha Planet Lodge / Airport Planet Lodge |
| Day 2 | Lilac Campsite / Panorama Campsite | Eileen’s Tree Inn / Endoro Lodge / Karatu Simba Lodge |
Price
From
$1793