Marangu Route (known as the Coca Cola Route) is the most well-known route on Kilimanjaro. It’s the only route that offers hut accommodations.
The same route is used for ascending and descending the mountain. It is more likely that the route will be crowded during the high season, which is mid-July to mid-October and mid-December to Early March.
While it’s the most popular route, it’s not easy because it’s straight-up with little acclimatization.
The climbs begin at the Marangu Headquarters (1,800 meters/5,905 feet).
Along the way you’ll spot blue and colobus monkeys, as well as colorful turaco birds.
This route offers a view of Mawenzi Peak from a close distance when compared to other routes.
You’ll also be able to see the Pare Mountains. They are named after the Pare Tribe, who still live on the mountain.
You’ll visit the Maundi Crater, which is a caldera like Ngorongoro Crater (just smaller). Maundi Crater was formed as a result of a sunken mountain top.
Sample itinerary for a 5-day trek on Marangu Route
Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 8:30 a.m. for the mountain entrance – Marangu Gate. The walk on this day is relatively easy and passes through the rainforest.
- Destination: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
- Elevation: 1,800 meters/5,905 feet to 2,700 meters/8,858 feet
- Distance: 8 km/4.97 miles
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: This is a long and steep day. We’ll leave the rainforest and get a view of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. During this day the landscape changes from forest to grasslands.
- Destination: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 2,700 meters/8,858 feet to 3,750 meters/12,303 feet
- Distance: 13 km/8.08 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: This day is a hard climb to Kibo Hut. On crossing “the Saddle” – terrain between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks, you might feel a slight headache. On arrival, there is time to relax, before departing for the summit shortly before midnight.
Our first stop is Gilman’s Point. Then we continue to Stella Point and lastly Uhuru Peak, descending back to Kibo Hut for a few hours of rest.
- Destination: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Kibo Hut
- Elevation: 3,750 meters/12,303 feet to 4,750 meters/15,584 feet to 5,895 meters/19,341 feet
- Distance: 9 km/6 miles to Kibo, 6 km/3.73 miles to Uhuru Peak
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours to Uhuru Peak and 3-4 hours descent
- Habitat: moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: After getting a few hours rest at Kibo Hut, we’ll descend to Horombo Hut, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.
- Destination: Kibo Hut to Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 4,750 meters/15,584 feet to 3,750 meters/12,303 feet
- Distance: 9 km/6 miles
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: This is the last day on the mountain. It is a decent day. You’ll be met by a Diamond Glacier Adventures Officer, collect your certificates from the Gate clerk, have lunch, and celebrate reaching THE TOP OF AFRICA “UHURU PEAK.” We’ll then drive you back to your hotel.
- Destination: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
- Elevation: 3,750 meters/12,303 feet to 1,800 meters/5,906 feet
- Distance: 21 km/13 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: moorland, heath, rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Sample itinerary for a 6-day trek on Marangu Route
Day 1: We’ll pick you up at your hotel and leave Arusha at 8:30 a.m. for the mountain entrance – Marangu Gate. The walk on this day is relatively easy and passes through the rainforest.
- Destination: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
- Elevation: 1,800 meters/5,905 feet to 2,700 meters/8,858 feet
- Distance: 8 km/4.97 miles
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Meals: Lunch and dinner
Day 2: This is a long and steep day. We’ll leave the rainforest and get a view of Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. During this day the landscape changes from forest to grasslands.
- Destination: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 2,700 meters/8,858 feet to 3,750 meters/12,303 feet
- Distance: 13 km/8.08 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Heath, moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 3: This is a day to rest and acclimatize. We’ll also visit Zebra Rocks.
- Destination: Horombo Hut to Zebra Rock
- Elevation: 3,750 meters/12,303 feet to 4,200 meters/13,779 feet
- Distance: 5 km/3.1 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: This day is a hard climb, crossing “the Saddle” – terrain between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. On arrival, there is time to relax, before departing for the summit shortly before midnight.
It takes about 5 to 6 hours to walk from Kibo Hut to the peak. It can take longer depending on your fitness level and the weather.
Our first stop is Gilman’s Point 5,686 meters/18,655 feet). Then we continue to Stella Point and lastly Uhuru Peak (5,896 meters/19,343 feet), descending back to Kibo Hut for a few hours of rest.
- Destination: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Kibo Hut
- Elevation: 3,750 meters/12,303 feet to 4,750 meters/15,584 feet to 5,896 meters/19,343 feet to to 4,750 meters/15,584 feet
- Distance: 9 km/6 miles to Kibo, 6 km/3.73 miles to Uhuru Peak
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Moorland, alpine desert
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 5: After getting a few hours rest at Kibo Hut, we descend to Horombo Hut, which takes about 3 to 4 hours.
- Destination: Kibo Hut to Horombo Hut
- Elevation: 4,750 meters/15,584 feet to 3,750 meters/12,303 feet
- Distance: 9 km/8 miles
- Hiking Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Habitat: Alpine desert to moorland
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: This is the last day on the mountain. It is also all downhill, back to Marangu Gate where you will be met by a Diamond Glacier Adventures officer, collect your certificates from the Gate clerk, have lunch, and celebrate reaching THE TOP OF AFRICA “UHURU PEAK.” Then we’ll drive you back to your hotel or departure.
- Destination: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
- Elevation: 3,750 meters/12,303 feet to 1,800 meters/5,905 feet
- Distance: 21 km/13 miles
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Habitat: Moorland, heath, rainforest
- Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner