6 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via the Marangu Route
Tour overview
The 6 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via the Marangu Route is often considered the “easiest” path to the summit. Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, it’s one of Kilimanjaro’s most popular options, favored for its well-maintained trails and gradual ascent—except for the more demanding summit day. This route is ideal for those with less mountain trekking experience. Overnight stays are in basic but sheltered mountain huts, offering some comfort from the cold temperatures at higher elevations. Both the ascent and descent follow the same trail.
We recommend choosing the 6-day version of the Marangu Route, which includes an extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut. This additional day greatly improves your chances of reaching the summit successfully.
Tour Type
Duration
Tour Location
Airport Pickup
- Kilimanjaro Int. Airport (KIA)
Tour Highlights
- The only route with accommodation in huts
- Ascent and descent takes place on the same route
- Gentle ascent on well-developed path, few steeper sections
- good acclimatization possible (as 6 days tour)
- Total distance about 73 km (as 6 day tour)
Tour Itinerary
Kisambi Tours' representative will welcome you at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and accompany you to your accommodations for the night. Our guides are well connected with the country, so you'll be in good hands from the minute you arrive until you leave.
After breakfast and a briefing (including a check of your equipment) we drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. Once the necessary formalities are completed, your hike through the dense rainforest can begin.
Besides the impressive vegetation, you have the opportunity to observe black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and various bird species. After about 3-4 hours, you will reach the day‘s destination the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, you can take a short trip to Maundi crater (15 minutes away) with your guide. The great view of Kilimanjaro, of north Tanzania and into Kenya is worth the extra effort in good weather. Dinner and overnight on the Mandara Hut.
- Elevation: 1,970m to 2,720m
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Easy to moderate
- Habitat: Rainforest
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. After a 5-6 hour hike, you will reach the Horombo Hut, which is located at 3720 meters. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Maasai steppe. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut.
- Elevation: (2,700m) to (3,720m)
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Montane forest transitioning to moorland
Today serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and will greatly improve your chances of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxed breakfast, your route will lead you today to Zebra Rocks (3980m). The striking black-and-white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. In the afternoon, you can rest and gather your strength for the next day hike. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut.
- Elevation: Horombo Huts (3,720m)
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours roundtrip
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Easy
- Habitat: Alpine desert
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Waterpoint” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetationless plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut, which is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night as the night will be short.
- Elevation: (3,720m) to (4,720m)
- Hiking Time: Not specified
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous
- Habitat: Heathland and alpine desert
Today is the great day – Summit day! This begins at night because the lava ash is still frozen and so the ascent is easier. Your guide wakes you around 11pm, and an hour later the long and strenuous way to the summit begins. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely ascends. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You quickly forget the coldness of the night and will reach the Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters after another 1-2 hours. Congratulations! You‘ve made it to the “Roof of Africa”. Enjoy this moment… The route back down follows the same path; the lava ash will now have thawed, which allows for a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can regain your strength. After a 1-2 hour rest, you will continue to Horombo Hut (3700m) where you will arrive in the afternoon. After an evening meal, most mountain conquerors understandably retire early to bed !
- Elevation: Kibo Huts (4,720m) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) to Horombo Huts (3,720m)
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours ascent, 7-8 hours descent
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Very strenuous
- Habitat: Glacial zone
The final stage leads through heath and moorland to Mandara Hut (2720m), where a warm lunch will be waiting for you. Then you will once again pass through the tropical rainforest, and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After leaving your mountain team, you will be transferred to your hotel. Here you can finally enjoy a hot and relaxing shower and celebrate your summit success.
- Elevation: (3,720m) to (1,830m/6,000ft)
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: Not specified
- Difficulty: Easy
- Habitat: Rainforest
Includes
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Mountain crew (cook, summit porter& porters)
- Overnight stays in tents
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, tables, chairs)
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water, tea & coffee
- Oxygen tank and oximeters
- All national park fees
- Transfer from the hotel to the National Park gate and back
Excludes
- Alcohol and soft drinks
- Sleeping bag
- Flights
- Visa fees
- Tips
- Personal spending money for souvenirs
- Travel insurance
- Airport Transfer
- Pre and Post climb Hotel Accommodation
Gallery
GROUP DISCOUNT
Group adventures have a predetermined charge per person based on group size. However, we offer optional options for specific private and tailor-made preferences that are best suited to you, your family, and friends.
| GROUP SIZE | PRICE PER PERSON |
|---|---|
| 1 Pax | $ 1850 |
| 2 Pax | $ 1640 |
| 3 Pax - 4 Pax | $ 1580 |
| 5 Pax - 6 Pax | $ 1480 |
| 7 Pax | $ 1460 |
HIKING FAQ'S
Best time to climb Kilimanjaro is a major Kilimanjaro Faq’s asked by most of the trekkers. Mount Kilimanjaro can be ascended year around and all the Kilimanjaro routes will support climbing Kilimanjaro round the year. As Kilimanjaro is near to equator the region experiences a very less extremes of winter and summer weather, rather it has wet and dry seasons. Hence, the Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro is dry season which is warm. It is advised to avoid climbing Kilimanjaro during wet season for beginners. However, if you are with a professional climber and have all the safety precautions taken, then climbing Kilimanjaro in wet season would be really adventures. This also depends on your preference of Kilimanjaro Routes. You will need to choose best Kilimanjaro route and also choose a longer itinerary for better acclimatization.
The weather in Kilimanjaro is considered as wet season and dry season. Before knowing about Best Time To Climb Kilimanjaro”, the weathers and climates are very important to decide for Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. All the Kilimanjaro routes pass the ecological or climatic zones where the weather tends to change hourly due to the high-altitude condition and the trade winds. The wet season has more rainfall and dry season has lesser rainfall with more dry days. The main climatic zones are: Cultivation zone, Rainforest zone, Heath or moorland zone, Highland dessert zone and Artic zone. Each zone are unique in its own way and also have a distinct weather conditions all the way.
The Kilimanjaro Food during your climb will help you to avoid from Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness. The menu on Kilimanjaro is designed to ensure your food intake matches your level of exertion. It will provide you with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables. When you are at altitude you could start to feel uneasy and your appetite may be suppressed, so the meals prepared at high altitude usually contain more carbohydrates and less protein to help you to digest your food. Your meals will be prepared by your cooks on Kilimanjaro and the food will be carried by your porters. You will be provided with Porridge, Toast, Pancakes, Egg, Smoked sausages, Tea, coffee and Hot chocolate. Sandwiches, Hard boiled eggs, Biscuits, Fruit juice. Soup, Pasts, Rice, Potatoes, Chicken, Beef, vegetables, Salad and Fresh fruits.
The Kilimanjaro Food during your climb will help you to avoid from Kilimanjaro Altitude Sickness. The menu on Kilimanjaro is designed to ensure your food intake matches your level of exertion. It will provide you with a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, fruit and vegetables. When you are at altitude you could start to feel uneasy and your appetite may be suppressed, so the meals prepared at high altitude usually contain more carbohydrates and less protein to help you to digest your food. Your meals will be prepared by your cooks on Kilimanjaro and the food will be carried by your porters. You will be provided with Porridge, Toast, Pancakes, Egg, Smoked sausages, Tea, coffee and Hot chocolate. Sandwiches, Hard boiled eggs, Biscuits, Fruit juice. Soup, Pasts, Rice, Potatoes, Chicken, Beef, vegetables, Salad and Fresh fruits.
It is better to check with your doctor or centre of disease control before leaving for any recommendations. This one of the major Mount Kilimanjaro Facts you should take into considerations. However, while entering Tanzania you will need a yellow fever vaccination certificate and also malaria vaccination certificate. Apart from these other vaccinations are not compulsory. However, it is better to consult your doctor for Vaccinations for Kilimanjaro if you have asthma or any chronic health problems.
The usual ratio is three or four local staff for each climber, although small groups may have four or five staff per climber. The staff usually consists of an English speaking guide or guides, a professional cooker, and gear-carrying porters. We encourage you to interact with your staff. They are all trustworthy, local people who have grown up in the shadow of the mountain. Many of them have climbed the peak a hundred or more times.
We can measure each day in walking hours rather than kilometers. Most days, other than the summit day, will begin with breakfast around 6:30 AM and departure at 7 AM. You will walk four to five hours with a break for lunch followed by another hour or two of hiking in the afternoon. These days are not long or difficult and you will be advised to walk slowly.
We recommend a minimum of eight days from the USA and Europe, although some people may wish more time for the trip. We can customize itineraries or routes to offer more days in the park(s). Some people may wish to climb nearby Mount Meru as well. If you have more than eight or nine days, you can choose any of the main routes on the mountain and still have time for a wildlife safari before or after your trip.
Words from Our happy Clients
We have received feedback from our clients, and Kisambi Tours is rated 5/5 by them. Customers grant us this honor because we are constantly committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that their safari is completely satisfactory.
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