Kilimanjaro

Marangu 6-Day Route

The Marangu Route on Kilimanjaro, often called the “Coca-Cola” route, is the most straightforward path to the summit. It passes through forests and moorlands before crossing the high-altitude desert of the Saddle to reach Kibo. The final ascent follows a zig-zag trail up steep scree, making it slower than some other routes. Marangu is unique in that both the ascent and descent follow the same path, and it is the only route with huts for overnight stays. The total distance of the Marangu Route is 72 kilometers.

Your Journey Mapped Out

2 Nights in Moshi | Springlands Hotel

5 Nights on Kilimanjaro | Camping

Itinerary (Day by Day)

Flight from Johannesburg to Kilimanjaro Airport. After clearing immigration at Kilimanjaro Airport and collecting your luggage, our friendly Kilimanjaro team will meet you for the transfer to Moshi, located in the foothills of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Once checked in at the hotel, you’ll have the day at leisure.

Stay: Springlands Hotel
Meals: Breakfast

1,860m (6,102ft) – 2,705m (8, 875ft)
Average hiking time: 4 – 6 hours

Transfer from Moshi to the Marangu Park Gate. Meet your guide and start hiking from Marangu Gate (1800 m). Hike through a fascinating rainforest to Mandara Hut and enjoy a picnic lunch en route. Hike to Maundi Crater (45 min from Mandara hut) or rest upon arrival.

Stay: Mandara Hut
Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

2,705m (8,875ft) – 3,719m (12,201ft)
Average hiking time: 5 - 6 hours

We start hiking to Horombo Hut after breakfast. Leave the last glade of forest and follow the gently ascending path through the open alpine moorland. Picnic lunch en route. “Pole pole” (slowly slowly in Swahili) is the order of the day while enjoying the flora along the way. Remember, the slower you go, the more efficiently your body adjusts to the change in altitude. Giant Senecios stand tall along the path. Kibo and Mawenzi Peak can be seen on a clear day.

Stay: Horombo Hut
Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

Average hiking time: 5 hours

An extra day at Horombo to acclimatize to the altitude. We highly recommended that you hike to “Zebra Rock” (3,980m / 13,058ft) - rocks striped by weather. If energy and time allow, you can walk to the foot of Mawenzi. Return to Horombo in the afternoon. Enjoy a packed lunch en route.

Stay: Horombo Hut
Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

3,719m (12,201ft) – 4,713m (15,463ft)
Average hiking time: 7 hours

Hike slowly to Kibo Hut. Today you leave the moorland and enter the Saddle (an alpine desert) pasting giant lobelia and walk to Kibo Hut. The saddle is a flat area; however, do not be tempted to increase your pace. Take it easy. If altitude has not affected you so far, this is where it will begin to kick in. Pack lunch along the way.

Stay: Kibo Hut
Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

4 713m (15 463ft) - 5895m (19341ft)
Average hiking time to the summit: 7 hours

Walk-up call just after midnight to start your final ascends to the summit. You’ll follow a zigzag path with loose scree to reach Gillman’s Point (5,685 m) at sunrise. The only thing you will notice for the next few hours is the feet of the person in front of you. The path from Kibo to Gillman’s is the most difficult section of the whole climb. It quickly becomes a real test of endurance. Near Gillman’s the scree comes to an end and huge boulders loom above you.

Continue another 2 hours to the roof of Africa, Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). SUMMIT!!!!! the highest peak in Africa.

Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut
5,895m (19,341ft) – 3,719m (12,201ft) / Average descending time: 5+ hours

Stop for a short break at Kibo Hut before continuing to Horombo Hut.

Stay: Horombo Hut
Meals: Lunch, dinner & breakfast

3,719m (12,201ft) – 1,860m (6,102ft)

Average hiking time: 6 hours

Descend to Marangu Gate. Enjoy lunch at Mandara Hut. Transfer to a nice shower and a real bed. Well done – you’ve conquered Kilimanjaro!

Stay: Springlands Hotel
Meals: Lunch & breakfast

Transfer from Springlands Hotel to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home.

End of service

Hiking times are estimated only but have been calculated to give the hiker a comfortable pace throughout the hike.

What's Included?

✓ Meet and greet at Kilimanjaro Airport by our representative.

✓ Return airport transfers

✓ 2 Nights in Moshi at Springlands Hotel with breakfast (1 night before and 1 night after the climb)

✓ Expedition briefing

✓ 6 Days hiking on Mount Kilimanjaro

✓ National Park / Hut fees.

✓ Government tourist taxes.

✓ Rescue fees (excluding evacuation by helicopter).

✓ Qualified English-speaking guide

✓ Assistant guides, cook, waiter & porters.

✓ Salaries for your mountain crew.

✓ Meals on the mountain

✓ Boiled water for drinking and washing.

✓ Portable oxygen for emergencies.

✓ Uhuru or Gillman’s Point certificate issued by the National Park Board.

What's Excluded?

X Entry visa to Tanzania

X Malaria - Tanzania is a malaria area

X Travel Insurance (Highly recommended)

X Meals & drinks not specified

X All items of personal nature

X Gratuity

X Tips for the guides and porters

X Climbing gear

X Any optional activities

X Personal first aid kit

Dates & Rates

DATES

1 January to 31 December 2026

RATES

SA Resident Price per Person Sharing: R32,522 pps
International Traveller Price per Person Sharing: US$1,890 pps

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS FROM SOUTH AFRICA:

International flights from Johannesburg or Cape Town are available on Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines.

You can budget about R10,900.00 per person for a return flight from Johannesburg, with airport taxes included.
Fares for international/regional flights are subject to change and will be updated when we issue your tickets.

NOTES ABOUT THIS SAFARI

Exchange rate used (bank selling rate): R17.00 to US$1.00
Please request a quote from our Kilimanjaro Specialists for the best, most current rates according to your preferred time of travel.
Rates quoted is based on 2 to 5 people climbing – if more people travel discounted rates are available.
All rates are subject to increases beyond our control, including fuel price, government taxes, and exchange rate fluctuations.