This non-technical Kilimanjaro route is the only route to offer  permanent mountain huts at each overnight stop. Marangu, also known as  the ‘Coca-Cola’ route due to it’s popularity in the past however, is no  longer the favored choice of the modern trekkers who prefer the longer  camping based routes. Marangu approaches the Kibo cone from the  Southeast and ascends and descends via the same trail which has been  modified to make it more climber friendly. This is the perfect choice  for amateur trekkers looking to avoid camping. 

Today has no planned activities and is only an arrival day for you to reach your base lodge in time for a pre-climb briefing (time to be confirmed) with your mountain guide. 

Approx. driving distance: 1-2 hours

Approx. trekking time: None

Approx. trekking distance: None

Start altitude: Unknown

End altitude: Unknown

Highest Altitude reached: Unknown

Altitude gain: Unknown

Meals included: None

You will be transferred by road from Moshi town (09:00am) to Marangu gate. After registration you trek today through the mountain rain forest zone with your guide. You may encounter some wild animals such as colobus monkey and some bird species and plant species on your way to Mandara hut. After a rest you will then trek to the rim of Maundi Crater with a spectacular view of Mawenzi peak. Later descend back to Mandara hut.                                          

Approx. driving distance: 1-2 hours

Approx. trekking time: 3-5 hours

Approx. trekking distance: 7km / 4.5mi

Start altitude: 1860m or 6100ft

End altitude: 2775m or 9105ft

Highest Altitude reached: 2775m or 9105ft

Altitude +gain / -loss: +915m or +3005ft

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch, dinner

Today’s hike is a little longer than the day before and takes you outside of the rainforest and into the heather & moorland zone ascending through the changed landscape. Today starts to feel more like a mountain trek with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi towering in the background on a clear day. You may encounter some birds along the trail and eventually come across the giant Kilimanjaro groundsels unique to the park. 

Approx. driving distance: None

Approx. trekking time: 5-6 hours

Approx. trekking distance: 11km / 7mi

Start altitude: 2775m or 9105ft
End altitude: 3700m or 12140ft

Highest Altitude reached: 3700m or 12140ft 

Altitude +gain / -loss: +925m or +3035ft

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch, dinner

Your hike today is designed for acclimatization and takes you towards the jagged peaks of the Mawenzi cone (Kilimanjaro’s third and generally unclimbed peak) up to the rim of the Mawenzi ridge. The alpine desert landscape here offers stunning views of both the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks before taking you back down into the heather and moorland at Horombo huts for a second night. 

Approx. driving distance: None

Approx. trekking time: 3-5 hours

Approx. trekking distance: 10km / 6mi

Start altitude: 3700m or 12140ft 

End altitude: 3700m or 12140ft

Highest Altitude reached: 4390m or 14400ft

Altitude +gain / -loss: +-690m or +-2260ft   

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch,, dinner

Your hike today takes you directly towards the Kibo cone steadily climbing through the alpine desert with the landscape changing dramatically as you leave the heather and moorland zone behind and journey on the barren saddle (the dip between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks). You reach the hut in time to rest for your summit attempt tonight.

Approx. driving distance: None

Approx. trekking time: 5-7 hours

Approx. trekking distance: 12km / 7.5mi

Start altitude: 3700m or 12140ft 

End altitude: 4703m or 15430ft

Highest Altitude reached: 4703m or 15430ft 

Altitude +gain / -loss: +1003m or +3290ft   

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch,, dinner

In the early morning (around 00:00am) you begin your final ascent to the summit of Uhuru peak through the arctic zone. The trek is a steep hike over loose volcanic scree through the dark and cold night and takes a slow pace in a zig-zag pattern towards Gilman’s Point (5681m or 18640ft) which is your first stop on the Kibo crater rim. From here a short (but difficult) hike remains to take you past Stella point (the first stop on the rim for those summiting from Barafu camp / the Southern circuit) and further around till Uhuru Peak (5895m or 19341ft), the highest point in Africa. You usually don’t spend that long at the peak due to the extreme altitude and will descend back down to the base camp for your breakfast / brunch. After your gear is packed up you continue the descent back through the alpine desert and heather and moorland where you stop for the night. 

Approx. driving distance: None

Approx. trekking time: 14-18 hours 

Approx. trekking distance: 21km / 13mi

Start altitude: 4703m or 15430ft

End altitude: 3700m or 12220ft

Highest Altitude reached: 5895m or   19431ft

Altitude +gain / -loss: +1192m or 4001ft   / -2195m or -7211ft

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch, dinner

Your final day on Kilimanjaro is a descent through the southeastern rain forest zone until Marangu gate where our vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Moshi town. Usually, the crew will leave you at Marangu gate and it’s a perfect opportunity to say goodbye and a great location to hand your optional tip to the crew as a token of your appreciation. 

Approx. driving distance: 1 hour

Approx. trekking time: 5-7 hours 

Approx. trekking distance: 17km /   10.5mi

Start altitude: 3700m or 12220ft

End altitude: 1860m or   6100ft

Highest Altitude reached: 3700m or 12220ft

Altitude +gain / -loss: -1840m or   -6120ft

Meals included: Breakfast, picnic lunch or lunch

Today has no planned activities and is only a departure day for you head home (time and flight to be confirmed), continue with your next tour activity or book extra nights to recover. Speak to a tour consultant for all of your options.

Approx. driving distance: None

Approx. trekking time: None

Approx. trekking distance: None

Start altitude: Unknown 

End altitude: Unknown

Highest Altitude reached: Unknown

Altitude gain: Unknown

Meals included: Breakfast