The 7-day Marangu Route on Mount Kilimanjaro is an extended version of the standard 5-day Marangu trek. It includes an extra acclimatization day, which significantly improves summit success rates and helps mitigate altitude sickness.
The Marangu Route, known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is the most accessible and well-established path to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This 7-day (6-night) itinerary offers a gradual ascent with hut accommodations, making it a popular choice for trekkers seeking a structured and comfortable climb.
🗺️ Overview of the 7-Day Marangu Route
- Route Type: Hut accommodation (no camping)
- Nickname: “Coca-Cola Route”
- Difficulty: Moderate (due to gradual slopes and extra acclimatization)
- Success Rate: Medium to high (especially with 7 days)
- Scenery: Less varied than other routes but still beautiful
The Marangu Route, known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is the most accessible and well-established path to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. This 7-day (6-night) itinerary offers a gradual ascent with hut accommodations, making it a popular choice for trekkers seeking a structured and comfortable climb.
Marangu route Kilimanjaro 7 Days
The Marangu Route also known as the “Coca-Cola Route” is the oldest and most well established trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro, and it remains extremely popular mainly because it is the only route on the mountain that has hut accommodation for trekkers.
📅 Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Marangu Gate (1,860 m) → Mandara Hut (2,700 m)
- Hiking Time: ~4-5 hours
- Distance: 8 km
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Notes: Easy hike through lush forest. Look out for blue monkeys and colobus monkeys.
Day 2: Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
- Hiking Time: ~6-8 hours
- Distance: 12 km
- Habitat: Heath and moorland
- Notes: Pass the Maundi Crater for scenic views; steady gain in altitude.
Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
- Activity: Hike to Zebra Rocks (3,980 m) or up towards Mawenzi for acclimatization
- Notes: Crucial for altitude adjustment. You return to Horombo to sleep.
Day 4: Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
- Hiking Time: ~6-8 hours
- Distance: 10 km
- Habitat: Alpine desert
- Notes: Long, dry day. Save energy for the summit push. Early dinner and sleep.
Day 5: Summit Day – Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Horombo Hut
- Hiking Time: ~12-14 hours (6–8 up, 5–6 down)
- Distance: 6 km up, 16 km down
- Habitat: Arctic at the summit
- Notes: Start around midnight. Steep climb to Gillman’s Point, then follow the crater rim to Uhuru Peak.
Day 6: Horombo Hut → Mandara Hut
- Hiking Time: ~5-6 hours
- Distance: 12 km
- Habitat: Heath to rainforest
- Notes: A relaxing descent compared to previous days.
Day 7: Mandara Hut → Marangu Gate
- Hiking Time: ~4-5 hours
- Distance: 8 km
- Habitat: Rainforest
- Notes: Receive summit certificates at the gate.
✅ Pros of the Marangu Route (7-Day)
- Accommodation in mountain huts (no camping needed)
- Well-established route with a moderate incline
- Extra day for acclimatization boosts summit chances
⚠️ Cons
- Less scenic than other routes (like Machame or Lemosho)
- Can be busier, especially during high season
- Shared huts can be noisy or crowded
Detailed Itinerary
Day 0: Pre-trek Briefing
If you have opted for the optional airport transfers, we will pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha airport and transfer you to your hotel in Moshi.
Pre-trek briefing at your Moshi hotel. You should be planning to arrive at least one day before the start of the trek. Today we will spend time having a pre-trek briefing. We will also review your equipment and rent any equipment which is needed.
Day 1: Hotel to Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the affects of the altitude.
Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Rest Day at Horombo Hut
Rest day at Horombo Hut with optional hike by Mawenzi Peak.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 0km/0mi
Hiking Time: 0 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
Distance: 9km/5.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 5: Acclimatization Day at Kibo Hut
Spend the day at Kibo Hut to rest, recover, and adjust to the altitude before the summit. Take short hikes, stay hydrated, and prepare mentally and physically for the climb ahead.
Elevation: 4700 m/15500 ft
Distance: 9 km
Hiking time: 5-6 hrs
Habitat: alpine desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.
Day 6: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Down to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 7: Horombo Hut to Moshi
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast
Inclusions
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Conservation fees (part of park fees)
- Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- Rescue fees (part of park fees)
- Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel
- VAT (18% charged by the Government)
- Kilimanjaro summit certificate
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Sleeping Mattress
- Emergency Oxygen Cylinder
Exclusions
- Personal trekking equipment such as sleepings bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)
- Hotel (available as an optional addon)
- Travel insurance
- Tanzania Visa
- International and domestic flights
- Transfers (available as an optional addon)
- Tips and gratuities
- Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)
- Meals not listed in the itinerary
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Liquors, beers and bottled beverages
The Marangu route is the easiest route to Uhuru peak, since it is the only route which can be hiked in 5 days (making it the cheapest option).
info@speedwayluxuryshuttle.com