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Marangu Route: 6 Days of Climbing to the Top of Kilimanjaro

Standing on the Roof of Africa is a once-in-a-lifetime experience—unless the majestic Mt. Kilimanjaro steals your heart and calls you back for more. With every step, you’ll journey through landscapes that feel like different worlds, from lush rainforests to alpine deserts and vast moorlands. Join us on the legendary Marangu Route, a 6-day climb designed to challenge and inspire. With built-in acclimatization time, you’ll have the best chance of reaching the summit while fully soaking in the adventure. As one of Kilimanjaro’s oldest and best-equipped routes, Marangu offers the perfect mix of thrill, comfort, and peace of mind—so you can focus on the climb, the views, and the unforgettable experience.

Adventure highlights

  • Iconic Coca-Cola Route
    Trek the Marangu Route, also known as the Coca-Cola Route, Kilimanjaro’s oldest and most popular trail
  • Diverse landscapes
    Hike through multiple climate zones, and immerse yourself in Kilimanjaro’s breathtaking scenery
  • Optimized acclimatization
    Gradual acclimatization will increase your chances of reaching the Roof of Africa successfully

Itinerary

Eight days in Tanzania, six of which will be spent on the Marangu route—the oldest and most popular route leading to the highest peak in Africa. It’s the perfect recipe for an unforgettable active vacation! But let’s add a little extra spice to make it even better. On the Marangu route—also known as the Coca-Cola Route, because it’s the most comfortable and the only one with huts along the way—you’ll be accompanied by experienced guides who know every corner of Mt. Kilimanjaro, a chef ensuring hot meals three times a day, and porters who will ease the journey. A fantastic team, proper acclimatization, inspiring nature, and the opportunity to stand on the legendary Uhuru Peak guarantee an exciting yet safe adventure. Join us!

  • Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you’ll be transferred to the hotel in Moshi. You will meet your guide there, who will brief you on the upcoming trek and conduct an equipment check to ensure everyone has all the necessary gear. Any missing items can be rented on this day.

    Accommodation: Hotel

    View on Mount Kilimanjaro from Moshi
  • We will wake up early and drive to the Marangu Gate (1,879 m / 6,165 ft) of Kilimanjaro National Park. There, we will meet our porters, complete the required paperwork for park entry, and begin the climb. Today’s day will be marked by the nature of the rainforest. We will spend the night at Mandara Huts camp at an altitude of 2,720 m / 8,924 ft.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 8 km / 4.9 mi
    Elevation: +950 m / +3,117 ft
    Accommodation: Camping

    Hikers on Marangu route
  • After leaving the rainforest, we will hike around the base of Maundi Crater. As we ascend, we will pass through the moorland area. The goal for today is to reach Horombo Hut camp (3,720 m / 12,204 ft), where we will spend the night.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 11 km / 6.8 mi
    Elevation: +1,030 m / +3,379 ft
    Accommodation: Camping

    Hikers in Mandara Hut camp, Marangu route
  • We will spend a full day at Horombo Hut camp, exploring the surrounding environment. We’ll have time to rest and enjoy guided short hikes to help with our acclimatization.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Accommodation: Camping

    Hikers in front of the hut
  • We’ll gradually ascend into the desert area, where the terrain becomes steeper. We’ll reach Kibo Hut camp for a restful evening and an early bedtime, gearing up to wake at midnight for the final ascent. Our overnight stay will be at Kibo Hut camp, situated at an altitude of 4,703 m / 15,430 ft.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 9 km / 5.5 mi
    Elevation: +920 m / +3,018 ft
    Accommodation: Camping

    Hikers on a way to Uhuru Peak
  • We’ll begin at midnight, heading up a rocky trail toward Gillman’s Point at 5,681 m / 18,368 ft. This section is steep and covered in loose stone scree, making it the most physically demanding part of the climb. Once we reach Gillman’s Point, we’ll push on for another two hours to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, standing at 5,895 m / 19,340 ft. After a brief moment to take in the view, we’ll begin our descent.

    We’ll retrace our steps on the descent, passing Kibo Hut camp before continuing down to Horombo Hut camp, where we’ll spend our final night on the mountain. We’ll enjoy a well-deserved dinner and get a restful sleep.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
    Hiking: 21 km / 13 mi
    Elevation: +1,145, -2,175 m / +3,756, -7,136 ft
    Accommodation: Camping

    Hikers on the Roof of Africa
  • We’ll make our way back through the rainforest to Marangu Gate, where we’ll meet the vehicle and receive our summit certificates from the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority. Following this, we’ll be transferred back to our hotel in Moshi to relax.

    Meals: Breakfast, lunch
    Hiking: 19 km / 11.8 mi
    Elevation: -950 m / -3,117 ft
    Accommodation: Hotel

    Marangu route 6-day trip, hikers
  • We’ll spend the day unwinding after the trek before our flight home. Depending on our flight times, we may have the chance to explore Moshi town and pick up some souvenirs before heading to the airport. This will mark the end of our 6-day Marangu route trek.

    Meals: Breakfast

    Moshi, a city in Tanzania
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Meet your guide

Incredible Africa Adventures
5.00
Incredible Africa Adventures
Incredible Africa Adventures is a renowned sustainable tour company based in Moshi, Tanzania, offering unforgettable travel experiences across Tanzania and East Africa. Specializing in ethical Mount Kilimanjaro climbs, Mount Meru treks, wildlife safaris, cultural tours, cycling adventures, and Zanzibar beach holidays, the company is known for its expert team and high-quality service. With personalized itineraries tailored to individual preferences, budgets, and schedules, Incredible Africa Adventures ensures exceptional hospitality and expertly guided trips.

Food and accommodation

5.00 (3 reviews)
Zhengwu Q. (source: Tripadvisor)

The experience here was invaluable! The guides were cheerful and made the climb fun! I’m very surprised that even a beginner like me was able to climb Kilimanjaro, the highest peak on the continent! If I have the chance again, I’d like to do it with the same company and the same members!

Bhim G. (source: Tripadvisor)

We enjoyed a most memorable experience. Our trek guides were professional, very caring and well able to anticipate our needs.

Ivon M. (source: Tripadvisor)

Me and my friend are beyond satisfied with our trek together with Incredible Africa Adventures. We travelled alone and were put in a group of three and became a group of five people. We had such a blast and became close friends. We had the most amazing team of guides and porters and we felt safe and in the best hands at all times and the food was very delicious throughout the whole trip.

Things to know

  • Included:

      • An experienced, local hiking guide with extensive knowledge of the area
      • Cook and porters
      • Kilimanjaro International Airport transfers to and from hotel in Moshi
      • Accommodation:
      • 2 nights in a hotel before and after climb
      • Accommodation in 4-season mountain tents while on trek
      • Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
      • Park entry fees, camping fees, and Kilimanjaro rescue fees
      • Double layered sleeping mats
      • 3 hot meals daily while on the mountain (as listed in itinerary)
      • Treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
      • Hot water for washing
      • Fair treatment and payment of our crew
      • Portable oxygen tanks & ox meter
      • Emergency first-aid kit

    Add-ons:

      • Gear rental
      • Additional excursions
      • Special dietary requirements

    Not included:

      • Flights to and from Tanzania
      • Food while in town (before and after the climb)
      • Laundry (available at hotel)
      • Personal items and toiletries
      • Guide, porters and cook gratuities — optional
      • Travel and medical insurance — optional
  • The best thing about hiking along the Marangu route is that it’s considered one of the most comfortable routes on Kilimanjaro, with the best infrastructure. However, it’s important to note that a reasonable level of fitness is required.

    You can expect to hike around around 8 hours a day, 6 days in a row, and on summit day, it can stretch up to 14 hours! There are also sections that are quite steep and covered with loose stone scree. While the hike doesn’t require technical skills or specialized mountaineering equipment such as ice axes, crampons, harnesses, or ropes, it does demand a sense of adventure and a passion for the outdoors. If you’re a beginner hiker in excellent physical condition and ready to push your boundaries, this tour could be just the challenge you’ve been looking for!

    For more hiking adventures and Kilimanjaro tours, click here!

  • Here’s a list of the equipment you need to bring:

    Technical clothing:

      • Waterproof breathable jacket with hood
      • Insulated jacket — synthetic or down
      • Soft jacket — fleece or soft-shell
      • Two long sleeve shirts made of light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
      • Short sleeve shirt made of light-weight, moisture-wicking fabric
      • Breathable waterproof pants (side-zipper recommended)
      • Two pairs of hiking pants
      • Fleece pants
      • Shorts — optional
      • Long underwear (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
      • Three pairs of underwear, briefs (moisture-wicking fabric recommended)
      • Two pairs of sport bra for women

    Headwear:

      • Brimmed hat (for sun protection)
      • Knit hat (for warmth)
      • Balaclava (for face coverage) — optional
      • Bandana — optional

    Handwear:

      • Warm gloves (waterproof recommended)
      • Thin gloves

    Footwear:

      • Hiking boots — warm, waterproof, broken-in
      • Gym shoes (to wear at camp) — optional
      • 3 pairs of socks (wool or synthetic)
      • 3 pairs of sock liners (tight, thin, synthetic, worn under socks to prevent blisters) — optional
      • Waterproof gaiters — optional

    Accessories:

      • Sunglasses or goggles
      • Waterproof backpack cover — optional
      • Water bottle (Nalgene, 32 oz.)
      • Water bladder (Camelback type, 3 liters)
      • Towel /lightweight, quick-dry) — optional
      • Pee bottle, to avoid leaving tent at night (recommended)
      • Stuff sacks, dry bags or plastic bags (various sizes, to keep gear dry and separate)

    Equipment:

      • Four-season sleeping bag
      • Trekking poles, collapsable (highly recommended)
      • Head lamp, with extra batteries
      • Duffel bag, 50-90L capacity, for porters to carry your equipment
      • Daypack with 30-35L capacity, for you to carry your personal gear

    Extra tips:
    Please pack carefully, as porters are limited to carrying a maximum of 33 lbs (15 kgs) of your personal belongings. All items they transport between campsites should be packed into your duffel bag, including your sleeping bag. However, if needed, the sleeping bag can be packed separately. If your total weight exceeds the limit, you will be required to hire an additional porter.

  • Group sizes and pricing

      • For this 6-day trek on the Marangu route, the usual client-to-guide ratio is 2:1.
      • The tour is also suitable for solo travelers. The maximum group size is set at 12 participants.

    Hiking on the Marangu route can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

    Min. age requirements

      • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
      • Minors younger than 18 may be permitted to join the hike on a case-by-case basis, but must be in the presence of a parent or legal guardian.

    If your group has hikers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

  • The starting point of your 6-day Marangu route trek is Moshi. To get there, most people fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). At the scheduled time, the guides will pick you and the rest of the group up. If you’re not joining the group at that time, you’ll need to take a taxi, rent a car, or use a shuttle to get to Moshi where your guides will meet you at the arranged accommodation on Day 1.

  • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

    Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

    Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

  • Deposits
    You can secure one of the set dates with a 30% deposit upon booking. The remaining 70% of the trip price is to be paid 90 days prior to departure, at the latest.

    Cancellations
    Booking fees are non-refundable in all cases. During checkout, however, you can choose one of 57hours’ flexibility options:

    Basic

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a 70% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-89 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 90 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 60-89 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, there is no refund.

    Super Flexible

      • In case of cancellation within 48 hours after booking, the amount paid is fully refundable.
      • For cancellations 60 or more days before the trip, you are eligible for a full refund of the trip price.
      • For cancellations 0-59 days before the trip, you are eligible for a 50% refund of the trip price.
  • 57hours partners with Redpoint Travel Protection, offering you a fully integrated program with a single point of contact for all your needs, from emergency services to travel assistance and protection claims. We highly recommend purchasing a comprehensive protection policy from Redpoint, which will protect you both before and during your travels. Before your departure, your investment is protected by the trip cancellation benefit. Once you depart, your policy provides coverage for trip interruption, medical assistance and rescue, baggage loss, trip delay, and more. Once you complete booking with 57hours, we'll create bespoke quote for you (and your group), making sure you're fully protected for the adventure ahead.
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