Duration
5 Days Trekking Marangu Route
Tour Overview
Embark on the classic 5-day trek to the roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro, via the popular Marangu Route, also known as the “Coca-Cola Route.” This well-trodden path is the most established route to the summit and is ideal for those seeking a shorter climb with comfortable mountain hut accommodations along the way. As you journey through lush rainforest, alpine meadows, and lunar-like landscapes, you’ll experience Kilimanjaro’s diverse ecosystems before reaching the iconic summit at Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters). Perfect for first-time trekkers, this route provides a straightforward ascent while still offering a rewarding challenge.
Tour Itinerary
After breakfast and a briefing in Arusha, you'll drive to Marangu Gate, where the trek begins. After registration, hike through the dense rainforest, where you might spot blue monkeys and a variety of bird species. After about 4-5 hours of trekking, you’ll reach Mandara Hut, located in a forest clearing.
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
- Elevation Gain: 840 meters (2,755 feet)
- Meals: Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Mandara Hut (Dormitory-style huts)
Leave the rainforest behind as you trek into the heath and moorland zone. The landscape opens up, offering beautiful views of Mawenzi Peak and the surrounding scenery. After 5-6 hours of trekking, you will arrive at Horombo Hut, where you’ll spend the night with views of both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks in the distance.
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
- Elevation Gain: 1,020 meters (3,346 feet)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Today’s trek takes you across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, a lunar-like desert landscape. The air starts to thin as you reach higher altitudes, and you’ll take it slow to conserve energy. After 6-7 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Kibo Hut, where you’ll rest in preparation for the summit attempt. After an early dinner, get to bed early as the summit push begins at midnight.
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours
- Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
- Elevation Gain: 983 meters (3,225 feet)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Around midnight, you’ll begin the challenging ascent to the summit. The trek to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) is steep and slow, but once you reach the crater rim, you’ll have breathtaking views of the sunrise. From here, it’s a gradual climb to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After taking photos and celebrating your achievement, you’ll begin the descent back to Horombo Hut for a well-deserved rest.
- Hiking Time (Ascent): 6-8 hours to the summit
- Hiking Time (Descent): 5-6 hours to Horombo Hut
- Distance: 22 km (13.7 miles) round trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,192 meters (3,910 feet) to the summit
- Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters (7,136 feet) to Horombo
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
After breakfast, enjoy a leisurely descent through the heath and rainforest zones back to Marangu Gate. Upon reaching the gate, you’ll receive your summit certificates, and then drive back to Moshi, where you can celebrate your successful Kilimanjaro climb.
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
- Elevation Loss: 1,860 meters (6,102 feet)
- Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
- Accommodation: Hotel in Moshi | Arusha (Optional)
Included
- Park entry fees
- All meals on the mountain
- Drinking water throughout the trek
- Professional mountain guides
- Experienced porters to carry your luggage
- Accommodation in mountain
- Rescue fees
- All government taxes and levies
- Kilimanjaro climbing certificate
- Basic medical equipment
- Private transport
- Camping equipment
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees for entry into Tanzania
- Travel and medical insurance
- Personal hiking gear
- Tips for the guide, porters, and cook
- Extra drinks and snacks
- Accommodation before and after the trek
- Optional day trips and excursions
- Personal expenses (laundry, souvenirs, etc.)
Price From
Request this Tour
Similar Tours
Why Choose Us?
Local Expertise
Tailor-Made Itineraries
Sustainable Tourism
Comfort & Safety
Create Your Perfect Safari
Each itinerary is customizable, allowing us to craft a journey that reflects your unique tastes and priorities.
Let’s Design Your Perfect Trip
Our Guests Speak for Us
Verified
The Extra mile Alex Baridi was our exzellent driver and Guido and did the Extra mile for us to enjoy a great holiday. Thanks again. To a very nice guy![]()
Christof M2024-10-01Verified
Tansania - what a very nice place It was our first time in East Africa and it was a great trip. The organization, food and accommodation left nothing to be desired. Alex, our German- and English-speaking guide during the safari, drove us safely along the Tanzanian roads. He imparted a lot of knowledge about the country, the people and the animals and made sure we had a lot of fun. Thanks to him in particular and to the whole team, it was a great experience.![]()
Volker S2024-09-21Verified
Alex you are great Alex Baridi was our driver who was excellent and very trustworthy. The trip with him was really great and he is an really great Organizer.We would always travel with him again Thanks very much![]()
Christoph P2024-09-15Verified
Unforgetable experience Thank you, Alex,for an unforgetable experience. We always felt safe and welcome. And sooo much Gnus...;) We appreciated all the hints and explanations.![]()
Susi S2024-08-28Verified
Unpublished Safari in Tanzania with SunDown African Advantures Limited I did this safari in March 2023. It was very great, with a very welcoming and very professional team, led by Mr. Alex.In addition to Safari, we had the opportunity to be close to Tanzanian culture through the tribes....![]()
Abdelhamid Z2024-08-23Verified
Excellent safari with Alex We had the pleasure of having Alex from Sundown as our guide and driver for a 4 day safari in Tarangire, Ngorongoro and Serengeti. We stayed in fabulous accommodation, saw so much amazing wildlife, and met many warm, friendly and kind people. We can’t recommend a safari holiday highly enough for fun, adventure and learning. Alex was an excellent guide and by the time he dropped us at Seronera airport for our flight to Zanzibar, we had become friends. We hope to be back to beautiful Tanzania.![]()
Jade S2024-08-22Verified
Great experience We had a great time. Our guide Alex was a good driver and his knowledge about the animals was really impressive. Apart from that, the whole tour is well organized.![]()
Jan W2024-08-21Verified
Highly recommend! We had a great trip and the wonderful experience with the sundown Africa Adventure travel Agency. Our tourist guide, Alex, is a funny and friendly person. He knows the area well to find animals. He always asks us what we would like to see tomorrow and tries his best to satisfy our preferences. Alex comes highly recommended.![]()
Excursion484387113992024-04-14Verified
1,000 times more amazing than what I had guessed If you’re thinking that going on an African Safari will be wonderful, let me share with you that my trip with Sundown African Adventures was seriously 1,000 times more incredible than I had guessed. The lodgings that Sundown African Adventures chose were all top-notch and the places they took us to were all magnificent. We received excellent service from our Guide-Driver, “Alex”. He was very professional, kind, and always aware of our safety. His extraordinary knowledge of the animals and the environment were remarkable. Alex had a sixth-sense about what the animals were actually thinking. I’m planning on sending my daughter and son-in-law for their honeymoon on tour with Sundown.![]()
Companion4647512024-02-06Verified
SunDown - Wonderful place that is definitely worth visiting! Wonderful place that is definitely worth visiting! The service is great, and the staff is very friendly and helpful. Everything is worth every penny. Highly recommended!Tanzania is a country that has something for everyone. From the stunning beaches of Zanzibar to the breathtaking wildlife in the Serengeti, Tanzania is a destination that will leave you in awe. The country is also home to Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest peak in Africa, which is a must-visit for adventure enthusiasts. Tanzania is also known for its rich cultural heritage and friendly people. The country is home to over 120 ethnic groups, each with their own unique customs and traditions. The people of Tanzania are warm and welcoming, and they will make you feel right at home![]()
Katarzyna B2024-01-19