Kilimanjaro Marangu Route
Overview
Embark on a pilgrimage to the Roof of Africa via the renowned Marangu 'Coca-Cola' Route, one of Kilimanjaro's oldest and most popular climbing paths. This expedition offers a 'soft life' option with comfortable dorm-like mountain huts, ideal for those who prefer not to camp. While typically completed in 5 days, this itinerary includes an extra day for crucial altitude acclimatization, significantly enhancing your chances of successfully reaching Uhuru Peak. Prepare for an arduous yet rewarding journey to Africa's highest point, combining comfort with the challenge of high-altitude trekking.
Duration
8 Days
Difficulty
Challenging
Group Size
Max None
Schedule
Nov 25 - Dec 02, 2026
Schedule & Availability
Fixed DatesNovember 25, 2026 - December 2, 2026
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Depart Nairobi at 6:30 a.m. for Moshi, Tanzania. Upon arrival, meet mountain guides for a comprehensive briefing and gear check. Enjoy dinner and an overnight stay at the hotel.
Activities:
- Travel to Moshi
- Guide briefing
- Gear check
- Dinner
After breakfast, transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate (1,970m) for entry registration. Begin the trek through the thick rainforest to Mandara Huts (2,720m). Enjoy a packed lunch, then continue to the rim of Maundi Crater for spectacular views of Mawenzi Peak before descending back to Mandara Huts for the night.
Activities:
- Transfer to Marangu Gate
- Park registration
- Trek through rainforest to Mandara Huts
- Packed lunch
- Hike to Maundi Crater rim
- Descend to Mandara Huts
Continue the upward trek to Horombo Huts (3,720m). The hike transitions from rainforest into the heath and moorland zone, offering changing landscapes. On clear days, enjoy views of Kilimanjaro's prominent peaks, Kibo and Mawenzi, and look out for unique Kilimanjaro groundsels.
Activities:
- Trek from Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts
- Hike through heath and moorland
- Enjoy views of Kibo and Mawenzi
After breakfast, embark on a short acclimatization hike from Horombo Huts towards the striking Zebra Rocks, approximately 2 km away and 300 m higher. The gentle ascent winds through open moorland into the alpine desert, providing excellent photo opportunities and sweeping views. Return to camp for a late lunch, light games, and a restful evening.
Activities:
- Acclimatization hike to Zebra Rocks
- Explore alpine desert
- Photography
- Return to Horombo Huts
- Relaxation and games
Today's hike is more intense, following a direct path towards the Kibo cone. Slowly but steadily climb through the alpine desert, navigating a dramatically changing landscape. Traverse the barren saddle between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Arrive at Kibo Huts (4,720m) for an early dinner and rest in anticipation of the summit attempt later tonight.
Activities:
- Trek from Horombo Huts to Kibo Huts
- Hike through alpine desert and barren saddle
- Early dinner and rest
Awake for a midnight trek through the arctic zone. Undertake a steep hike over loose volcanic scree, following a zig-zag pattern towards Gilman’s Point (5,681m) on the Kibo crater rim. Continue to Stella Point (5,756m) and then to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), Africa's highest point, aiming to reach the summit at daybreak. Celebrate, take a short break, then descend to Kibo Huts for breakfast. After resting and brunch, continue the descent to Horombo Huts for the final night's rest.
Activities:
- Summit attempt to Uhuru Peak (via Gilman's and Stella Points)
- Sunrise at summit
- Descent to Kibo Huts
- Breakfast and rest
- Descent to Horombo Huts
After breakfast, participate in a farewell and thanksgiving session with the crew. Begin the walk down the familiar trail, ending the expedition at Marangu Gate. Bid farewell to the mountain crew. Enjoy a packed lunch en route to the hotel in Moshi, followed by a leisurely afternoon and a celebratory dinner.
Activities:
- Farewell ceremony
- Descent to Marangu Gate
- Transfer to Moshi hotel
- Celebratory dinner
After breakfast, check out of the hotel. Board buses by 9:00 a.m. to begin the journey back to Nairobi, bidding farewell to Moshi and Kilimanjaro.
Activities:
- Breakfast
- Check out
- Travel back to Nairobi
What's Included
- Transport from Nairobi and back
- All meals while on the climb
- Dorm accommodation on the mountain
- Hotel accommodation on bed and breakfast before and after the expedition (2 people sharing a room, own bed)
- All park fees
- Ground rescue fees and oxygen cylinders for emergency cases
- Guides’, porters’, and other crew’s remuneration
- Services of a skilled mountain paramedic
- Air rescue coverage for medical emergencies
- 7:1 hiker to guide ratio on day hikes and 4:1 hiker to guide ratio on expeditions
- Additional guidance and support from Outdoorer Champions
- At least one skilled paramedic (up to 5 depending on group size)
- Thorough emergency action plan for any emergencies
What's Not Included
- Items of personal nature (clothes, shoes, sleeping bags, rucksacks)
- Tips to guides and porters
- Anything else not explicitly listed in the 'Included' list
Requirements
Fitness Level Required: Advanced hikers with recent high-altitude endurance training or completion of specific Outdoorer pro
What to Bring:- Passport or temporary permit
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Meet eligibility criteria for high-altitude endurance, including specific Outdoorer program completion or equivalent advanced hiking experience
Location
Country: Tanzania
Destinations: Gillman's Point Horombo Huts Kibo Huts Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate Mandara Huts Moshi Nairobi Stella Point Uhuru Peak Zebra Rocks
Enquire to Book
Pricing Options
East African Resident
Includes transport from Nairobi and back, all meals on the climb, dorm accommodation on the mountain, hotel accommodation (B&B, shared room) before and after, all park fees, ground rescue fees, oxygen cylinders, crew remuneration, paramedic services, air rescue coverage, 7:1 hiker to guide ratio on day hikes, 4:1 on expeditions, additional guidance, and emergency action plan.
Non-East African Resident
Includes transport from Nairobi and back, all meals on the climb, dorm accommodation on the mountain, hotel accommodation (B&B, shared room) before and after, all park fees, ground rescue fees, oxygen cylinders, crew remuneration, paramedic services, air rescue coverage, 7:1 hiker to guide ratio on day hikes, 4:1 on expeditions, additional guidance, and emergency action plan.
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