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Snow-capped summit of Mount Kilimanjaro catching the last light above the clouds
Kilimanjaro trek · Private climbFrom Marangu Gate to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Kilimanjaro Trek – Marangu Route

The classic hut route and the only one with dormitory beds. Includes an extra acclimatisation night at Horombo Hut.

Duration6 days
Summit5,895 m
SleepingHuts
Summit successLower
About this route

Marangu Route

Marangu is the only Kilimanjaro route with hut accommodation, and it is the shortest and most affordable way to the summit. Nicknamed the "Coca-Cola" route from the days when Coke was sold in tea huts along the way, it has a reputation as the easiest route. That reputation draws less-prepared climbers and, with less time to acclimatise, its success rate is lower. Our 6-day version adds an extra night at Horombo Hut to help.

  • Dormitory huts instead of tents
  • Extra acclimatisation day at Horombo
  • Maundi Crater detour with first views of Kibo
  • Shortest and most affordable route
Climb at a glance
Route
Marangu Route
Duration
6 days
Start
Marangu Gate
Sleeping
Huts
Acclimatisation
Fair, with an extra night at Horombo
Price
On request
Ask about dates
Day by day

The climb, stage by stage

Day 1

Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)

After breakfast, your guide will brief you and check your equipment. The drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found. An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate.

Approximately 12kms · 5h · Montane forest
Day 2

Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)

From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.

Approximately 15kms · 6h · Moorland
Day 3

Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day

Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation.

Day 4

Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)

After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route and lower route to choose from. The upper route will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m.

Approximately 15kms · 6h · Alpine desert
Day 5

Summit night: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut

You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gilman's point (5,681 m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Move slowly. From Gilman's Point, continue along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, before descending to Horombo Hut for the night.

Approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent · 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo · Stone scree and ice-capped summit
Day 6

Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)

After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Remember to sign at the gate. Again, the journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!

Approximately 27kms · 6h
Route profile

Distances, hiking times and habitats

DayStageElevationDistanceHiking timeHabitat
1Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)Approximately 12kms5hMontane forest
2Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)Approximately 15kms6hMoorland
4Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)Approximately 15kms6hAlpine desert
5Summit night: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo HutApproximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to HoromboStone scree and ice-capped summit
6Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)Approximately 27kms6h

Price on request

The price depends on your group size, dates and whether you add a safari or Zanzibar afterwards. Send us your dates and we will reply with a clear per-person price.

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After the summit

Add a safari or Zanzibar.

Most climbers rest their legs on a northern circuit safari or on a Zanzibar beach. We plan the whole trip as one.

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Our trip to Tanzania with Big Five Trails was absolutely amazing and exceeded our expectations. The itinerary was very well organized and allowed us to experience some of the most beautiful places in the country, with incredible wildlife sightings and unforgettable landscapes. A huge part of what made the trip so special was our guide, Tony. He was simply incredible: professional, friendly, patient and extremely knowledgeable about the animals, nature and Tanzania. He is also an exceptional tracker — it honestly felt as if he had some kind of direct communication with the animals! He had an incredible ability to spot wildlife from a distance, read tracks and signs, and somehow always seemed to know where the animals were going to appear. Thanks to him, we were able to see an amazing variety of wildlife and enjoy some truly unforgettable encounters. He made every safari drive exciting and interesting, and was always attentive to the group, making us feel comfortable and safe throughout the whole trip. Everything was well coordinated, communication was easy, and the overall experience felt very personal rather than like a standard organized tour. Tanzania was already an incredible destination, but Tony and the team made the experience even better. I would absolutely recommend Big Five Trails to anyone planning a safari in Tanzania, and I would especially recommend asking for Tony as your guide. I would travel with them again without hesitation!

Dolores BAndorra · Visited November 2025
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Amazing

The safari with Tony as our tour operator and guide was absolutely great in every aspect. The hospitality, the excellent knowledge of the animals, nature, the country and its people, the absolute reliability and care, the superb service and all the details covered, just excellent. I would go with Tony and his company any day again. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Asante sana.

MonicaSwitzerland · Visited July 2026
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Incredible

Visiting Tanzania and seeing the parks was a wonderful experience. Tony and Inocent were our guides and they were lovely. A 10/10 trip. (automatic translation from Spanish)

MartaSpain · Visited June 2026
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Planning your climb?

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