5 Days Kilimanjaro
Marangu Route
Hiking Tour Package
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 - 4 Pax |
|---|---|
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From $ 1,900 (£ 1,447) |
From |
5 - 9 Pax |
10 + Pax |
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From $ 1,700 ( £ 1,295) |
From |
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
Why choose Ahsante Tours
Get help
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Award-winning
We’re award-winning Kilimanjaro tour operators.
Luxury
Luxury camping, food tent, toilets and more
Successful summits
Over 20K successful summits in over 20 years
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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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