Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 6 Days
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Embark on the adventure of a lifetime with Elem Adventures. We will guide you to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, standing tall at 19,340 feet, one of the world’s seven summits. Our Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 6 Day trek offers a perfect blend of challenge, beauty, and comfort. It’s one of the most popular routes on the mountain.
The Kilimanjaro Marangu Route 6 Day, also known as the Coca-Cola Route, is famous for its shorter duration, comfortable sleeping shelters, and accessibility. As you trek across six distinct natural zones, you’ll witness a wide range of landscapes, from lush jungles to the stark, arctic summit. Mount Kilimanjaro’s diversity is what makes it truly unique.
Our professional African guides are experts in the mountain’s geography and history. They’ll lead you through each step of the journey, ensuring your safety. Along the way, they will share fascinating insights into Kilimanjaro’s rich ecosystem and local culture.
Signature Camping Experience: We provide luxury camping with spacious tents, delicious meals, and comfort. This ensures your trek is both adventurous and relaxing. At Elem Adventures, we prioritize your comfort, so you can focus on reaching the top.
The Marangu Route features permanent huts at campsites, offering more comfort than other routes that only use tents. While it’s a shorter route, it has a steeper gradient and less acclimatization time. The summit night involves a steep climb, passing over Gilman’s Point before reaching Uhuru Peak. The climb is challenging, but the sense of achievement at the top makes it worthwhile.
When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, we will greet you and drive you to Bristol Cottage B&B for an overnight stay. The following day, your head guide will meet you for a briefing and gear check, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the Marangu Route trek.
 Departure and Return Place: Moshi Town to Marangu Gate and then back to Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
 
 Departure Time: Please be ready by 8:15 AM for a prompt departure at 9:30 AM.
 
 Return Time: Approximately 10:30 AM on the last day.
 
 Dress Code: Casual. Comfortable athletic clothing, hiking shoes, hat, cold weather jacket, gloves, pants, and spare clothing.
 
 Accommodation: Two nights of accommodations based on Bed and Breakfast at 3 stars hotel (upgrades on request).
 
 Customizations: Can be customized upon request, to meet traveller’s needs
  
 Extensions: Trip Extensions are available on request.
  
 Trip Availability: All year round.
Included/Exclude
- Two-way private airport transfers
- All park fees collected by the National Park
- Hotel accommodations before and after the expedition
- Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro
- All meals on the hike
- All group camping equipment
- Oxygen cylinders and oximeters
- Complete Expedition medical kits
- Kilimanjaro licensed professional guides
- Hiking dedicated support crews
- Government taxes
- Crew salaries
- Medical evacuations with AMREF Flying doctors
- Purified water while on the mountain
- Portable tented private flush toilet
- Personal Climbing gears
- Tanzania Visa on arrival
- Mountaineering Insurance
- Tips and Gratuities
- Personal Expenses
Tour Amenities
Tour Plan
After an early breakfast at your hotel, we’ll pick you up in Moshi and drive you to Marangu Gate (1980m). Once at the gate, the porters will organize your gear while you and your guide complete your registration with the Tanzania National Park (TANAPA).
The trek begins with an ascent into the rainforest, where you’ll encounter rain, mud, and fog. As you walk, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including the playful Colobus monkeys.
After about 3-4 hours of hiking, you’ll reach the Mandara Hut (2700m). The hut is equipped with 6-8 sleeping bunks, providing space for up to 60 hikers. Solar-powered lighting ensures you’ll have visibility in the evening. Next to the central hut, you'll find flush toilets for your convenience.
Once you’ve settled in, the porters will have arrived ahead of you to prepare hot water for drinking and washing. Your chef will serve a snack followed by a hearty dinner to refuel you after the day's trek.
As night falls, be prepared for freezing temperatures, so make sure to bundle up and stay warm!
Hiking time:Â 3-4 hours
Distance:Â Approximately 12 kilometers
Habitat:Â Montane forest
After breakfast, you’ll begin your ascent out of the rainforest and into the heathen moorland. Along the way, you’ll pass the Maundi Crater and have the option to climb to its rim for a spectacular view of the Kibo Crater.
As you continue through the moorland, keep an eye out for exotic plants such as giant lobelia and groundsel, which thrive in this unique environment.
After about 6 hours of hiking, you’ll arrive at Horombo Hut (3720m), which sits on a small plateau and accommodates up to 120 hikers. Just like on the first night, the porters will prepare hot water for drinking and washing.
You’ll enjoy evening snacks and a delicious dinner prepared by our chef, providing the nourishment you need after a long day on the trail. As night falls, be prepared for temperatures to drop below freezing, so make sure to layer up and stay warm during the chilly night.
Hiking time:Â 6 hours
Distance:Â Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat:Â Moorland
Today, you’ll spend the day at Horombo Hut to allow your body to acclimate to the higher altitude. This crucial acclimatization period helps reduce the risk of altitude sickness as you prepare for the challenging days ahead.
For further acclimatization, you have the option to embark on a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) with your guide. This additional trek helps your body adjust and ensures a smoother journey to the summit.
Breakfast and dinner will be served at the hut, while lunch can either be packed for your hike or enjoyed at the hut, depending on your preferences for the day.
After an early breakfast, you’ll continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. There are two trail options leading to Kibo Hut (4700m):
- The upper route (to the right of the fork) is the same trail used the previous day for the hike to Mawenzi Hut.
- The lower route (to the left of the fork) is the more popular choice because it’s about 1 hour shorter.
Kibo Hut is situated in the "Saddle", a barren area nestled between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. There is no natural water source at this camp, but you can buy mineral water and soft drinks at the camp office.
An early dinner will be served so you can rest before your summit attempt that same night. Your guide will provide a detailed briefing on how to prepare for the summit night trek. Be sure to get some rest by 19:00 to conserve energy for the challenging climb ahead.
Hiking time:Â 6 hours
Distance:Â Approximately 15 kilometers
Habitat:Â Alpine desert
Your guide will wake you around 23:30 for a warm tea and biscuits to fuel your summit attempt. You’ll begin your ascent, and the trail is rocky as you make your way to Hans Meyer Cave (5150m). From there, continue your climb to Gillman’s Point (5681m). Reaching this point is a significant achievement, as the trail becomes steep, rocky, and high in altitude.
Gillman’s Point marks the crater rim, and from here, the trail is usually snow-covered until you reach the final destination: Uhuru Peak (5895m). Reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro is a lifetime accomplishment, and you'll have the chance to take photos and enjoy a celebratory tea at the top.
After spending a short time at the summit, you’ll begin your descent to Barafu Hut, a journey that will take around 3 hours.
At Kibo Hut, take a well-deserved rest and enjoy a hot lunch under the sun. Once you've refueled, you’ll continue your descent to Horombo Hut (3720m).
Upon arrival, you’ll enjoy a nourishing dinner, have the chance to wash up, and rest soundly after a strenuous and rewarding day.
Hiking time:Â 8 hours to Uhuru and 6 hours to Horombo
Distance:Â Approximately 6 kilometers ascent and 21 kilometers descent
Habitat:Â Stone scree and ice-capped summit
After a well-deserved breakfast, your staff will celebrate your incredible achievement with a lively celebration full of dancing and singing. This is also the time to express your gratitude by presenting tips to your guide, assistant guides, chef(s), and porters for their hard work and support throughout the trek.
Once the celebration concludes, you’ll begin your descent back to Marangu Gate (1980m), a journey that will take approximately 6 hours. Upon reaching the gate, you’ll be required to sign out with the Tanzania National Park and receive your completion certificate. Hikers who reached Gillman’s Point (5681m) will receive a green certificate, while those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m) will receive the prestigious Kilimanjaro certificate.
After collecting your certificate, you’ll be driven back to your hotel in Moshi, marking the end of your Kilimanjaro adventure.
Hiking time:Â 6 hours
Distance:Â Approximately 27 kilometers
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