Overview of 6 Days Marangu Route
The 6 Days Marangu Route is the oldest and most established Kilimanjaro trekking route, also known as the “Coca-Cola Route.” It starts and ends at Marangu Gate, which serves as the Kilimanjaro National Park headquarters.
This well-maintained trail is the only Kilimanjaro route with hut accommodations, featuring spacious huts with mattresses, large dining halls, and well-built toilets, making it a comfortable choice for trekkers.
Although many climbers believe the Marangu Route is the most popular route, recent trends show fewer trekkers using it as more climbers opt for camping routes like Machame and Lemosho. This shift makes the Marangu Route less crowded, providing a quieter and more peaceful Kilimanjaro trekking experience.
The 6 Days Marangu Route trek begins at Marangu Gate (1,860m) and follows a direct ascent and descent, making it the only Kilimanjaro trail where climbers use the same path up and down.
Duration
6 Days
Max People
10 People
Start
Marangu Gate
End
Marangu Gate
Age
12 - 80+
Physical Rating
Moderate
Itinerary
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be greeted and transferred to Stella Maris Lodge in Moshi, a 30-40 minute drive. This cozy lodge, located just before Moshi town, offers a perfect view of Mount Kilimanjaro, providing an ideal start to your 6 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro trek. Enjoy a comfortable stay with cozy beds, a hot shower, and a relaxing atmosphere. Overnight accommodation is on a bed and breakfast basis, allowing you to rest and prepare for the adventure ahead.
Morning after breakfast, with picnic lunch and drinking water, embark on a one-hour drive to Marangu Gate (1,860m), the starting point of your 6 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro trek. After check-in, begin your scenic hike through the lush rainforest, walking under the dense canopy of towering trees.
Along the way, spot black-and-white colobus monkeys, and enjoy sightings of colorful birds like the Turaco and other forest species. At the halfway point, take a break to enjoy your picnic lunch, then continue the 4-hour trek to Mandara Hut (2,720m). Upon arrival, settle in for the night, enjoy a hearty dinner, and rest at Mandara Hut, based on a full-board basis.
Morning after breakfast with picnic lunch and drinking water, walk to Horombo hut. Nice day walking on heather and Moorland zone. Get perfect view of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The trail is gradual and gets great view of forest and villages. The walk to horombo takes about 5-6 hours. Dinner and overnight at horombo hut 3,720m. Based on full board basis.
Acclimatization day. After late breakfast, enjoy 2 hrs walk up to Zebra rock. See great view of mountain on the view point of Zebra rock. Return at the hut through different route. Get hot lunch at the hut. After lunch relax at the hut. Dinner and overnight at horombo hut 3,720m. Based on full board basis.
Morning after breakfast with picnic lunch and drinking water, walk to Kibo hut. The day is a bit chill walking on alpine desert through saddle area. The walk today to kibo hut takes about 4-5hrs. Get picnic lunch at saddle area and continue walking slowly to the hut. Dinner and overnight at Kibo hut 4,720m. Based on full board basis.
At midnight, after a refreshing tea and cookies, with your drinking water, begin the final ascent to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the 6 Days Marangu Route. Accompanied by expert Kilimanjaro guides, you will trek slowly through the steep and rocky terrain while porters and chefs remain at Kibo Hut (4,720m).
The challenging 5-6 hour climb leads to Gilman’s Point (5,685m), where you’ll take a short rest and enjoy breathtaking views of the crater glaciers. From here, continue the final 1-2 hour trek along the crater rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Celebrate your Kilimanjaro summit success, take memorable photos at Uhuru Peak, and embrace the moment at the Roof of Africa.
After about 20 minutes at the summit, begin your descent back to Kibo Hut (3 hours) for a well-deserved breakfast. After regaining strength, continue descending for another 3 hours to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for dinner and an overnight stay, based on a full-board basis.
Morning after breakfast with your drinking water, walk down to Marangu Park gate 5-6hrs. You will get hot lunch at Marangu Park gate. After Lunch say goodbye with other porters not going to Moshi. Meet Van and transfer to Moshi town one hour. Overnight at Stella Maris lodge..
Please Note: on day 7, our driver will pick you at Stella Maris lodge and transfer to Airport for your home flight or other destination.
Morning after breakfast descends to Marangu Park gate 6hrs. Meet Van and transfer to Stella Maris Lodge Moshi 1h20 for overnight based on bed and breakfast.
Please note; the day 8 you will be taken by our vehicle to Airport for home flight, Zanzibar or other destination.
Route Map
Inclusion
- Oxygen tank
- Rescue fees
- Park fees and VAT
- Porters, Chef, Guides
- Roundtrip airport transfer
- Roundtrip park gates transfer
- All meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and food utensils
- 2 nights at hotel in town bed and breakfast (Upon Arrival & Departure)
Exclusion
- Tips
- Visa
- Soft and alcoholic beverages
- Local and international flights
- Other meals at hotel in the town
- Personal gears such as sleeping bag, boots and clothes
- Personal items such as souvenirs and travel insurance
