Marangu Route Overview
The Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is one of the classic and oldest paths to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, starting on the southeastern side of the mountain. It is historically significant as the route taken by Hans Meyer during the first successful Kilimanjaro summit in 1889. The route is completed in 5 to 6 days and is the only one offering hut accommodation instead of tents, making it appealing to climbers who prefer more comfort. The trail passes through all of Kilimanjaro’s climatic zones, from tropical forests to alpine deserts, and Marangu Gate also serves as the headquarters of Kilimanjaro National Park. Unlike other routes, both the ascent and descent use the same path on Marangu.
Marangu Route Map
Summit Success Rate
- Lower summit success rate of around 60%
- The shorter duration makes acclimatization more difficult
- Skipping the acclimatization day at Zebra Rock on the 5-day climb can increase the challenge
Ahsante Tours’ Experience with Marangu Route
- Ideal for climbers who prefer sleeping in huts instead of tents
- Well-suited for the rainy season (March to May) as huts provide shelter
- Recommended for physically fit climbers, especially for the final ascent from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak
- Offers a unique historical experience, being the oldest route to the summit of Kilimanjaro
- Ahsante Tours invites you to embark on this iconic adventure to climb the world’s tallest free-standing mountain via the Marangu Route!




5 Days Marangu route Prices
1 Pax
|
2 Pax
|
3 Pax
|
---|---|---|
$ 2,545 (£ 2,046) |
$ 2,360
( £ 1,899) |
$ 2,235 ( £ 1,799) |
4 - 6 Pax
|
7 - 9 Pax
|
10 - 12 Pax
|
---|---|---|
$ 2,140
( £ 1,720) |
$ 2,050 ( £ 1,648) |
$ 1,880 ( £ 1,512) |
Climbing Cost Includes
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fee
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Accommodation in tents complete with sleeping mats.
- Sleeping Bags (-15oC Limit) *If clients have warmer sleeping bags they are advised to bring their own.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Moshi town on Half Board Basis
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
- 2-way airport transfers - 1 on arrival and 1 on departure
- Supplemental Oxygen & Pulse Oximeter
Climbing Cost Excludes
- Visa
- Tips to mountain crew – See Tipping Guidelines for more details
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Tanzanian mountain doctor
- Single Supplement Request - $100
- Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
- Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
- Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
- Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
- Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter)
5 Days Marangu Route Itinerary
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) by an Ahsante Tours representative and transferred to your hotel in Moshi town. Your guide will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
Meals: Dinner Only.
Accommodation: Weruweru River Lodge.

After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paper work has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.
Distance: 8.3km / 5.2mi
Duration: 5 – 6 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Mandara Hut

The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
Distance: 12.5km / 7.8mi
Duration: 8 – 9 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
Distance: 9.5km / 5.9mi
Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
Distance: 22km / 13.7mi
Duration: 12 – 15 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut

The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
Distance: 20.8km / 12.9mi
Duration: 7 – 8 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Included.
Accommodation: Weruweru River Lodge

The day is left free to rest and relax after a long, challenging week of trekking. You can choose to extend for Zanzibar Beach Experiences or Wildlife Safari in Near National Park Like Tarangire National Park, Ngorongoro Crater and Lake Manyara National Park, or if your schedule is not allowing you for safari Extension, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Airport to fly home.
EXCELLENT Based on 161 reviews Tour142776518582025-02-25Verified Extraordinary care following unfortunate fall while cycling I was on a small group cycle tour with AhSante from Kilimanjaro to Ngorongoro Crater, a trip that included five days cycling and 2 days of game drives. I was having a wonderful time when I fell on the second day and broke a rib. While disappointing, I could not have been in better hands than with the team at AhSante Tours. They were there at each step of my injury and recovery, from the initial trip to the hospital to relocating me to their base lodge near Moshi. While in Moshi, they made sure I had everything I needed. They accompanied me for a follow-up visit to a hospital in Moshi and were extremely helpful as I navigated the local medical system. All of the cycling team and the group and staff at Weru Weru lodge - Jimmy, Lawrence, Wes, Bashi, Amos and especially Emmanuel - helped transform what could have been a lonely and painful experience into a restful and amiable recovery. In the end, I only got a taste ofTanzania and I hope to return soon for another AhSante Tour - maybe just the safaris next time. Kris7752025-02-14Verified Mount Meru - 3-Day - Solo I've climbed Kilimanjaro with Ahsante Tours before, During my last visit to Tanzania 🇹🇿I've opted in for a 3-Day "Mount Meru" Trek solo. The 3-Day itinerary is nothing for the faint hearted. We've decided on an evening summit which meant 2.100 m of ascent in one day. Unfortunately, the weather was challenging, but my guide Charles, the summit porter Baraka and I made it to the summit and back to "Saddle Hut" safely. During the whole trip I was treated like a little princess. The guide, porters and chef were absolutely amazing. Their support during the trip was outstanding. And, as the icing on the cake on our descent Charles and I were invited by a park ranger to join him.on a private walking safari. I've never been so close to giraffes, pumbas and antelopes in their natural habitat in my life. Overall a great short trip.I would climb Mount Meru again as the landscape is absolutely stunning. However, I would recommend the 4-Day itinerary as you are able to experience the little brother of Kilimanjaro in more detail. Manon M2025-02-03Verified Kilimanjaro 🇹🇿🏔️ We had the chance to go with the Ahsante organization to climb Kilimanjaro They made this week the best experience of our lives!A good mood, an unbeatable motivation and a group cohesion that allowed us to wait for everyone at the roof of AfricaYou will not find better than them to achieve this goal which with them seems so simple to achieve 🤍Thanks to Seba, Sele and their team The best to make our dream come true 🏔️🇹🇿 Sarahj34832025-01-29Verified Ahsante Tours Lemosho Route for Kilimanjaro We recently summited Kilimanjaro having completed the 8 day Lemosho route. Our hike was led by Ahsante Tours who were excellent. We had the most wonderful mountain guide Nelson who was eternally optimistic and motivating and really made the hike special. We were in awe of the work of our porters who worked endlessly and always with a smile on their faces. Maureen M2024-10-19Verified Ahsante Tours Kilimanjaro climb We climbed Kilimanjaro with Ahsante Tours on the Lemoso Route. Our guides, Arden, Veta, Bugah, Danny, and Elias were absolutely amazing. They were commited to helping our group of 11 people, from all over the world, make the summit. I can't praise the guides and porters enough; they have tough jobs and work hard to make our climb as easy as possible. erica d2024-10-02Verified To the top together. A fantastic experience. People were super helpful and sweet nothing was too much for them. Always with a smile. Well played to each other. These people have made our adventure even more beautiful. Thank you guys. tido_world2024-10-02Verified Once in a liftime experience, perfectly organized and executed 5 Friends including myself intended to hike to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Lemosho Route and for that we chose Ahsante Tours to tackle this challange with us.There is not much more to say, than that those 8 days of hiking, tenting and eating, as well as enjoying life, the views, the good company of all the guides, porters and all the others was just perfect from the first to the last minute. And, of course, the cherry on the top of the cake has been all of us 5 happy guys having reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.Thanks again to Ahsante Tours with the guides Innocent, Calvin and Sele as well as all others, who were involved, for making that an experience of a lifetime! Niall F2024-09-28Verified Great experience I recently did the 7 day Machame route up Kili with this company. It was very well organised, the staff were all great and the lead guide, Derick Mfinanga was amazing - always supportive and doing everything to ensure we had a great experience on the mountain - which we did! Charlotte R2024-09-28Verified Once in a life time experience! Ahsante is a very well established and respected trekking company. I first heard about them from a recommendation in my Tanzanian ‘Rough Guides’ book. We completed the 8 day Lemosho Route. Our group consisted of 11 people ranging from ages 26 to 68 and we all made it to the Summit! Our crew was 45 strong- porters, chefs, toilet crew, water crew, camp manager, waiters, assistant guides and lead guide. Arden was our lead guide- he was incredibly knowledgeable and caring, and affectionately gave us all mountain nicknames which really boosted moral. He was a brilliant leader who had a big responsibility to keep his team and us safe on the mountain and I felt very protected and confident in his judgement and experience. He showed kindness helping members of the group through mild symptoms of altitude sickness. He was professional, spoke very good English and was a fantastic team lead who genuinely cared for the people working under his guidance. Our 4 assistant guides were also excellent:Danny is one of the most kind hearted people I have met, he would always greet you with a massive smile and was a very strong walker with years of guiding experience (often helping to carry any kit people were struggling with in their own bags). Bugga G- the biggest joker! Such a bundle of energy which is much needed on the mountain to keep everyone positive and laughing. I won’t forget his singing, his kindness towards people within the group and his ability to set a true ‘pole pole’ pace which helped each and every one of us reach the summit. Vitalis is calm and collected, with AMAZING English, and we shared some great conversations up and down the mountain. He showed great leadership helping a member of our group get to the submit, by slowing the pace for them and safety helping them achieve their dream. Isiah was the youngest guide and it was brilliant to see him growing in confidence throughout the trip and setting the pace at the front of the group on multiple days. He was keen to learn from the experience of the other guides around him and aswell as maintaining his own laid back and calm style. The food was amazing! I do not know how the chefs do it at 4970m but we ate like kings and everything was delicious. Toilet crew also get a special shout out- that is not a pleasant job but we were very grateful! Weru Weru lodge where you stay pre and post trip is the perfect place to relax and I had probably the best BBQ meat ever there! Overall I cannot recommend Ahsante enough. Excellent, professional, experienced, 10/10. I would definitely use them again if I were to return to Tanzania. On a wider note I would love a company the size and experience of Ahsante to join the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. It is great you are compliant with the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA) and the Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO). You have a wonderful, dedicated team of people working for your company. TiaDW2024-09-24Verified Incredible guides and crew! Just got back from an amazing 6 days on Kili! We all made it to Stella point and 12 of us got to Uhuru peak. All of this was possible because we had an amazing team guiding us up that mountain! Bruno, Sele, Nelson & Albert were our guides and they were incredible! The rest of the staff was also brilliant! Everyone was so friendly and supportive! We wouldn’t have made that top without them!
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FAQs about Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is nicknamed the "Coca-Cola Route" because, historically, climbers could purchase Coca-Cola at the huts along the way. It’s also considered a “classic” route due to its popularity and accessibility.
The Marangu Route typically takes 5 to 6 days to complete. The 6-day option includes an extra day for acclimatization at Horombo Hut, which can improve summit success rates.
Unlike other Kilimanjaro routes, the Marangu Route offers hut accommodation at designated campsites. Climbers stay in wooden huts, making it more comfortable, especially during the rainy season.
The Marangu Route has a summit success rate of about 60%. This is lower than other routes because it has a shorter acclimatization period, particularly on the 5-day option.
Though often considered one of the easier routes due to the hut accommodations and gradual slopes, the Marangu Route can still be challenging due to the quick ascent and reduced acclimatization time. It is suitable for beginners who are physically fit and prepared for the altitude and hiking conditions.
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