kilimanjaro

5 Days Marangu Route

Climb Kilimanjaro in 5 days, enjoy hut stays, stunning views, and reach the Roof of Africa.

Duration

5 days

Difficulty

Moderate

Group size

1-10

From

USD 1,550

per person

Trip overview

What to expect

The 5 Days Marangu Route is one of the most famous routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and is ideal for climbers looking for hut accommodation instead of camping. The route passes through beautiful rainforest, moorland, alpine desert, and glacier zones before reaching Uhuru Peak at 5,895m.

Known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” the Marangu Route is considered one of the easier Kilimanjaro routes in terms of trail conditions, although summit night remains physically demanding because of the altitude.

Why this journey

Trip highlights

Sleep in mountain huts, not tents, for extra comfort.
Walk through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert.
Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Enjoy a stunning sunrise above the clouds.
Summit Kilimanjaro in just 5 unforgettable days.
Climb with expert WFR-certified guides for safety and support.

5 days

Day-by-day itinerary

A detailed, day-by-day breakdown of where you sleep, how far you walk, what you eat, and the moments to look forward to.

01
Day
Arrival in Kilimanjaro
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by our team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi. After your journey, you can relax and prepare for your upcoming Kilimanjaro adventure. In the evening, you will meet your mountain guide for a detailed climb briefing, equipment check, and final preparations.
Altitude
910 m
Stay
La Mama Hotel, Moshi (or similar)
Meals
B
- Airport pick-up
- Gear check & rentals
- Briefing with head guide
What you'll do
Guided activity led by a licensed local expert.
What's included today
Stay at La Mama Hotel, Moshi (or similar) · Meals: B
Good to know
Bring your duffel under 15 kg for porters. Excess luggage can be stored free at the hotel.
02
Day
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
After breakfast, you will drive to Marangu Gate for registration before beginning your trek through the lush rainforest zone. The trail is scenic and peaceful, surrounded by giant trees, colorful birds, and tropical vegetation. You may also spot black-and-white colobus monkeys along the way as you gradually ascend toward Mandara Hut.
Altitude
(1860m / 6102ft) - (2700m / 8858ft)
Distance
8 km
Hiking
4–5 hours
Stay
Mandara Hut
Meals
B,LD
- Colobus & blue monkeys
- Maundi Crater
- First night on the mountain
What you'll do
4–5 hours of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Mandara Hut · Meals: B,LD
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
03
Day
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Today the trail leaves the rainforest and enters the moorland zone where the landscape changes dramatically. You will enjoy breathtaking views of Mawenzi Peak, giant lobelias, and open mountain scenery. The air becomes cooler as you continue ascending steadily toward Horombo Hut.
Altitude
(2700m / 8858ft) - (3700m / 12139ft)
Distance
12 km
Hiking
6–8 hours
Stay
Horombo Hut
Meals
B, L, D
- Enter scenic moorland
- Views of Mawenzi Peak
- See giant alpine plants
- Sunset at Horombo Hut
What you'll do
6–8 hours of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Horombo Hut · Meals: B, L, D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
04
Day
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Today you continue your climb across the alpine desert zone toward Kibo Hut, the final base camp before your summit attempt. The landscape becomes rocky and dry with spectacular views of Kibo Peak and Mawenzi Peak. After arriving at Kibo Hut, you will rest, hydrate, and attend a detailed summit briefing from your guide before enjoying an early dinner and preparing for the midnight summit climb.
Altitude
(3700m / 12139ft) - (4700m / 15420ft)
Distance
10 km
Hiking
5–6 hours
Stay
Kibo Hut
Meals
B, L, D
- Cross alpine desert
- Stunning volcanic views
- Photos of Kibo Peak
- Rest before summit
What you'll do
5–6 hours of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Kibo Hut · Meals: B, L, D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
05
Day
Kibo Hut to UHURU PEAK & Down to Horombo Hut
Around midnight, you begin your summit attempt under the stars. The climb is challenging but incredibly rewarding as you make your way slowly toward Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Reaching the summit at sunrise is an unforgettable experience filled with breathtaking glacier views and a great sense of achievement. After celebrating at the summit, you descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut for overnight stay. This is the most demanding but also the most memorable day of the climb.
Altitude
(4700m / 15420ft) - (5895m / 19340ft) - (3700m / 12139ft)
Distance
22 km
Hiking
10–14 hours
Stay
Horombo Hut
Meals
B, L, D
- Midnight summit climb
- Sunrise above clouds
- Reach Uhuru Peak
- Descend to Horombo Hut
What you'll do
10–14 hours of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at Horombo Hut · Meals: B, L, D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.
06
Day
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
After breakfast, you descend through the beautiful rainforest toward Marangu Gate where you will receive your summit certificate as recognition of your successful climb. You will then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi for a hot shower, relaxation, and celebration. We also welcome you to spare an hour of your day to plant a tree as part of our environmental conservation efforts in the Kilimanjaro region. Safari and Zanzibar add-ons are available if you wish to continue exploring Tanzania.
Altitude
(3700m / 12139ft) - (1860m / 6102ft)
Distance
20 km
Hiking
5–7 hours
Stay
La Mama Hotel, Moshi (or similar)
Meals
B, L, D
- Return through forest
- Enjoy final views
- Receive summit certificate
- Celebrate your success 🎉
What you'll do
5–7 hours of trekking with your lead guide, paced for acclimatisation with rest and snack stops.
What's included today
Stay at La Mama Hotel, Moshi (or similar) · Meals: B, L, D
Good to know
Drink at least 3 litres of water today and walk pole pole (slowly) — it directly improves your summit odds.

Before you book

Important information

Practical details every traveller should read before confirming. We'll cover everything again in your pre-departure pack.

Visa & entry

Most nationalities need a Tanzanian tourist visa (USD 50, or USD 100 for US passports). You can apply online via eservices.immigration.go.tz or get a visa on arrival at JRO. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months.

Travel insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is mandatory. For Kilimanjaro and high-altitude treks the policy must explicitly cover trekking above 4,000 m and helicopter rescue.

Health & vaccinations

Yellow fever certificate is required if arriving from a yellow fever country. Anti-malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Consult a travel clinic 6–8 weeks before departure.

Payment & deposits

A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 45 days before arrival. We accept bank transfer and card (3% fee). Free rescheduling up to 30 days before departure.

Tipping

Tipping is customary and an important part of crew income. Guidelines are shared in your pre-trip pack — typically USD 25–35 per day for safari guides and USD 300–350 total per climber for a Kilimanjaro crew.

Group size & privacy

This trip runs in groups of 1-10. Private departures with your own guide and vehicle are available year-round on request — ask us for a custom quote.

Altitude & fitness

You'll sleep above 4,000 m and summit at 5,895 m. No technical climbing skills are needed, but you should be able to walk 5–7 hours per day on consecutive days. We do daily pulse-oximeter checks and carry emergency oxygen.

KPAP-registered operator

We follow Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project (KPAP) standards: fair wages, three meals a day for porters, proper gear, and a 20 kg load limit. Your booking directly supports ethical mountain employment.

What's included

✓2 nights at Park View Inn (or similar) in Moshi on a bed-and-breakfast basis (1 night before and 1 night after the trek)
✓Airport pick-up on arrival and drop-off on departure
✓Transportation to and from the Kilimanjaro park gate
✓Kilimanjaro Park entrance fees
✓Camping or hut accommodation fees
✓Crater fees (if applicable)
✓Kilimanjaro rescue team fees
✓High-quality 4-season tents
✓Double-thickness (10 cm) foam mattresses
✓Professional, experienced, and friendly guides, cooks, and porters
✓Three freshly prepared meals per day during the trek
✓Filtered and treated drinking water throughout the climb
✓Hot water for washing
✓Fair wages for the mountain crew according to KINAPA and KIATO regulations
✓All government taxes
✓Portable oxygen cylinders for emergency use
✓English- or French-speaking certified mountain guide
✓Oximeter, first aid supplies, and stethoscope
✓Private portable toilet with a tent (1 toilet for groups of 1–5 climbers, 2 toilets for groups of 6–10 climbers)
✓Mountain communication radio
✓Official Kilimanjaro summit certificate.

Not included

—Meals and drinks at the hotel (before and after the trek)
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—Travel insurance
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—Shower tent (available at an additional cost) -USD 450 for 1 person, USD 300 per person for groups of 2 or more
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—International and local flights
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—Laundry services at the hotel
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—Personal gear, items, and toiletries

Pack smart

Packing list

A category-by-category checklist tailored to this journey. Items marked essential should not be skipped — rentals are available in Moshi and Arusha.

Clothing — layers

•3× moisture-wicking base layer tops
•2× thermal base layer bottoms
•Fleece or soft-shell mid layer
•Insulated down jacket (summit night)
•Waterproof + windproof hard-shell jacket and trousers
•Trekking trousers (2 pairs) + shorts
•Warm hat, sun hat, buff/neck gaiter
•Liner gloves + insulated waterproof gloves
•4× hiking socks, 1× thermal socks for summit

Footwear & sleeping

•Waterproof hiking boots, broken in
•Camp shoes / trainers
•Gaiters (recommended)
•4-season sleeping bag (-15 °C comfort rating)
•Inflatable pillow

Daypack & summit kit

•20–30 L daypack with rain cover
•2–3 L water bladder or two 1 L bottles
•Sunscreen SPF 50, lip balm with SPF
•Sunglasses (UV 400)
•Personal first aid: blister kit, paracetamol, ibuprofen, rehydration salts
•Quick-dry towel, hand sanitiser, wet wipes
•Camera + spare batteries, power bank
•Headlamp + spare batteries (essential for summit)
•Trekking poles (collapsible)
•Thermos for hot drinks on summit night
•Hand and toe warmers

Documents & money

•Passport (6+ months validity) and visa
•Travel insurance documents (printed + digital)
•Vaccination certificate if applicable
•Credit card + USD cash in small notes (post-2009, no rips)
•Emergency contacts and trip voucher

Best season: Jan – Mar · Jun – Oct

5.0 / 5 · 3 traveller reviews

What travellers say

Honest words from people who have walked, driven, sailed and summited with us. We publish every review unedited.

★★★★★

Summit success thanks to an unreal crew

"We chose Tembo after weeks of research and they exceeded every expectation. Our guide Emanuel paced us perfectly, the porters were extraordinary, and the food on the mountain was honestly better than the lodge. We both reached Uhuru Peak with energy to spare."

Hannah & Mark · United Kingdom · Sep 2025

★★★★★

Pole pole — and it worked

"I was nervous about the altitude. The team did daily oxygen checks, kept us hydrated and well-fed, and never rushed us. Summit night was brutal but the guides were beside us every step. I cried at the top."

Lucía R. · Spain · Aug 2025

★★★★★

Ethical, professional, world-class

"What stood out is how well the porters are treated — fair wages, proper gear, three meals a day. You feel good about who you're paying. The Lemosho route is stunning. Worth every dollar."

David K. · Canada · Feb 2025