5 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route
The Marangu Route, often called the “Coca-Cola Route”, is the most popular and straightforward path to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the only route offering hut accommodation at every stage, making it ideal for climbers seeking more comfort.
Huts are communal, equipped with beds, mattresses, pillows, and solar lighting. Lower camps provide basic running water, while higher camps have simple facilities.
This route can be completed in 5 days, though adding an extra day improves acclimatization and summit success rates.
Kilimanjaro Adventure
5 Days Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by your driver and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Later, meet your mountain guide for a full trek briefing, gear check, and final preparations. Optional equipment rental is available, and excess luggage can be safely stored at the hotel.
Accommodation: Mid-range Lodge
Meals: Not included
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast, drive to Marangu Gate and complete park formalities before beginning your trek.
Walk through lush rainforest filled with towering trees, birdlife, and colobus monkeys. Optional visit to Maundi Crater offers stunning views across Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
Accommodation: Mandara Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Moorland
Leave the forest behind and ascend into open moorland. Enjoy spectacular views of Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Summit.
Watch for unique vegetation such as giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of altitude.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Distance: 9 km
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today you cross the Kilimanjaro Saddle, a vast high-altitude desert between Mawenzi and Kibo.
Arrive at Kibo Hut, your base for the summit attempt. Rest, hydrate, and prepare for the midnight ascent.
Accommodation: Kibo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Distance: 6 km ascent / 15 km descent
- Hiking Time: 6–8 hours up / 5–6 hours down
- Habitat: Arctic / Alpine
Around midnight, begin your summit push toward Gilman’s Point, then continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.
Celebrate your achievement and enjoy breathtaking sunrise views before descending back to Horombo Hut.
⚠️ This is the most physically demanding day—steady pacing (“pole pole”) is essential.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Distance: 20 km
- Hiking Time: 4–5 hours
- Habitat: Forest
After breakfast, descend through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate. Receive your summit certificate before transferring back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.
Celebrate your successful climb with your team.
Accommodation: Mid-range lodge
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
After breakfast, transfer to the airport or continue with your safari adventure.
All prices are per person, valid year-round. Group discounts apply — the more trekkers, the lower your per-person cost. Children and youth rates available upon request.
Note: Prices are Per Person in US Dollar
- Quality, waterproof, four-season private mountain sleeping tents:
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees, Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Guides, Porters, cook salaries, and park fees
- Quality Mess tents with tables and chairs
- Large portions of fresh, healthy nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Accommodation in Arusha
- Airport transfers
- Tips for guides, cook, and porters
- International and domestic flights
- Tanzania Visa fee
- Mountain gear
Note: We have a discount for kids under 15 years old
What to Pack for Kilimanjaro
Clothing
Your clothing should be lightweight, breathable, hand-washable, and quick-drying, preferably moisture-wicking and non-cotton. Layers work best! You will want active wear for daily activities and casual dressy clothes for the evening.
- Long pants
- Shorts
- Short-sleeved shirts
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Undergarments, sports bra
- Sweater, jacket, windbreaker
- Rain jacket and/or rain poncho
- Pajamas
- Swimsuit and cover
- Belt
- Sun hat with brim and chin strap
- Bandana (for dust, washing, etc.)
Footwear
Your daily activities may get your shoes dirty or muddy. Streets can be uneven. Light sandals are not good for daily tours and hikes, but they are nice for relaxing at your hotel.
- Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes, closed-toe, preferably waterproof
- Tennis shoes, sandals, dressy shoes, and/or flip-flops
- Comfortable, breathable socks
Baggage
- Suitcase or duffel (check weight restrictions for internal flights)
- Day pack for daily activities and easy access + rain cover
- Waterproof/plastic bags for organizing gear and dirty clothing (Ziplocs and garbage bags work)
- Packing cube, compression bag, stuff sacks, toiletry bag, foldable shopping bag
- Money belt, security pouch, document organizer
- NOTE: A carry-on bag on most flights is limited to 22″ x 14″ x 9″.
Electronics
Store electronics in sealed waterproof bags. Remember to set the date and time on your cameras.
- Cell phone, cord, plug, headphones (check on international charges)
- Headlamp or flashlight, extra batteries
- GoPro, camera, video camera, SD cards, batteries, charger/power cord
- Tripod (travel size), selfie-stick
- Air Tags
- Lens cleaning cloth
- Electrical adapter
Day Pack
Take along any items you need for the day in a separate day pack:
- Binoculars
- Camera + disks, batteries, lenses, tripod, cleaning cloth
- Video camera, cell phone, Go Pro, etc.
- Water
- Snacks + to share with guides, other travelers, etc.
- Wet wipes
- Hand sanitizer
- Passports
- Money
- Sunscreen
- Bug repellent
- Hat
- Bandana
- Hair binder
- Jackknife
- Magazines/books/headphones/kite/frisbee
- Safari notebook + pen
- Safari wildlife book
Toiletries
- Hairbrush, comb, mirror, hair ties
- Soap, shampoo, conditioner, hair gel
- Shaving supplies
- Toothbrush, toothpaste, floss
- Deodorant
- Lotion
- Sunscreen
- Lip balm with sunscreen
- Nail clippers, nail file, nail brush
- Facial tissue, Toilet paper
- Moist towelettes
- Hand sanitizer
- Q-tips
- Sewing kit
- Insect repellent
- Small travel towel
- Cosmetics, feminine products, travel jewelry
First Aid
You only need one first aid kit in your travel group, so coordinate with your travel companions.
- Prescription drugs
- Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen, Aspirin
- Band-aids/blister tape
- Disinfectant, antiseptic cream, antibiotic ointment
- Throat lozenges
- Vitamins
- Antihistamines
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Gauze bandages and tape
- Diarrhea medicine (Imodium AD or similar), Ginger, and Ginkgo can be helpful for stomach problems
- Antibiotics (talk to a doctor)
Documents
- Passport (make sure it is valid > 6 months after the end of your trip)
- Visas for all countries as necessary
- Airline e-tickets (make sure name on ticket matches name on passport)
- Copy of AWR travel itinerary
- Travel insurance information + Medical insurance card
- Document organizer
- Make copies of passports, visas, driver’s licenses, airline tickets/schedules, travel itineraries, credit cards (front and back), frequent flyer numbers, travel insurance, and emergency contact information. Leave a copy with someone at home and email it to yourself (or store it in the Cloud). Put copies of your travel itinerary in each checked bag.
Pool/Beach
- Swimsuit and cover-up
- Beach sandals
- Reef shoes (for sharp rocks and coral)
- Scuba card
- Waterproof camera
Other
- Cash (including some small bills, U.S. dollars must be new with no tears)
- Credit cards (check for international fees)
- Water bottle and Camelbak
- Sunglasses, strap
- Eyeglasses, contacts/case/solution
- Binoculars
- Pocket knife (put in checked luggage)
- Notebook, lots of pens
- Books, playing cards, games, crossword puzzles, frisbee, football, kite
- Energy bars, hard candy, snacks, and comfort foods
- Duct tape (can be wrapped around water bottle)
Packing for the flight
- Passport, flight e-tickets, AWR travel itinerary
- Books, magazines, e-readers, cards, games
- Cell phone, headphones
- Toiletries
- Snacks
- Water bottle (empty through security)
- U-shaped neck pillow
- Eye shades, ear plugs
- Kleenex, wet wipes
- Melatonin or other sleep aid
- Compression socks
"We summited Kilimanjaro! The guides were incredibly knowledgeable about altitude sickness prevention. We felt supported every step of the way. The porters treated us like family."
"The Lemosho route was perfect. Less crowded than other routes, stunning views, and our guide Mwajuma's stories made the trek unforgettable. Would 100% trek again."
"At 60 and 58, we weren't sure we could do it. But the team believed in us. Summit day sunrise at 19,341 feet was the most moving moment of our lives. Thank you."
"Everything was perfectly organized. The food at the camps exceeded expectations. Most importantly, the guides genuinely cared about our safety and well-being."
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
