6 Days Striking Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route
This Marangu Route 6-day climb known as the “Coca-Cola” route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well-established route.
Many favour the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, due to its more gradual slope. It is also the only route that offers sleeping huts with dormitory-style accommodation.
Kilimanjaro Adventure
6 Days Striking Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route
- Elevation: 1,860m → 2,700m
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
- Habitat: Montane Forest
After breakfast and a full briefing, depart from Arusha and drive to Marangu Gate, the starting point of your Kilimanjaro climb. After registration, begin your trek through lush rainforest filled with towering eucalyptus trees, vibrant birdlife, and black-and-white colobus monkeys.
A short optional hike to Maundi Crater offers panoramic views of Northern Tanzania and across the border into Kenya.
Arrive at Mandara Hut, where you will spend your first night on the mountain.
Accommodation: Mandara Hut (Budget Mountain Hut)
Meals: Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Elevation: 2,700m → 3,700m
- Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Heathland / Moorland
Leave the rainforest behind and ascend into open moorland with expansive views. You will enjoy stunning scenery of Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Summit.
The landscape becomes more dramatic, with unique vegetation such as giant lobelias and groundsels. As you gain altitude, you may begin to feel mild effects of elevation.
Arrive at Horombo Hut, your resting point for the next two nights.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut (Budget Mountain Hut)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Habitat: Moorland
This is a crucial acclimatization day to improve your chances of reaching the summit successfully. You can relax at camp or take an optional hike towards Mawenzi Ridge, allowing your body to adjust to the altitude.
This extra day significantly increases your summit success rate.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Elevation: 3,700m → 4,700m
- Distance: 9 km
- Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Today you cross the famous Kilimanjaro Saddle, a vast high-altitude desert between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Vegetation disappears, replaced by a stark, moon-like landscape.
Arrive at Kibo Hut, your base camp for the summit attempt. After an early dinner, rest and prepare for your midnight ascent.
Accommodation: Kibo Hut (Budget Mountain Hut)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Elevation: 4,700m → 5,895m → 3,700m
- Distance: 6 km ascent / 15 km descent
- Hiking Time: 6–8 hours up / 5–6 hours down
- Habitat: Arctic / Alpine Desert
Around midnight, begin your summit push under the stars. Trek slowly (“pole pole”) up steep scree toward Gilman’s Point on the crater rim.
From there, continue to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) — the highest point in Africa. Witness breathtaking sunrise views and celebrate your achievement.
After photos and a short rest, descend back to Kibo Hut, then continue down to Horombo Hut for overnight.
⚠️ This is the most physically demanding day of the trek. Proper pacing and determination are key.
Accommodation: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Drinks: Drinking water provided
- Elevation: 3,700m → 1,700m
- Distance: 20 km
- Hiking Time: 4–6 hours
- Habitat: Forest
After breakfast, descend through moorland and back into lush rainforest. Pass Mandara Hut before continuing to Marangu Gate, where you will sign out and receive your summit certificate:
- 🟢 Green Certificate: Gilman’s Point
- 🟡 Gold Certificate: Uhuru Peak
Your driver will meet you at the gate and transfer you back to Arusha or Moshi for a well-deserved rest and celebration.
Accommodation: None (End of Trek)
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Drinks: Drinking water provided
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 Camel bag
- 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."
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