The 6 days Marangu route itinerary is the better option for climbing to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro using the popular Marangu route. It features an extra day for acclimatization compared to the shorter 5-day variation and is perfect for climbers that do not fancy camping in tents. The Marangu Route is definitely the pioneer of Mount Kilimanjaro climbing; it is one of the oldest routes, if not the oldest on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is known by other names such as the “Coca-Cola Route” or the “Tourist Route because many tourists choose this route to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It is one of the easiest, shortest, and most popular routes as around 40% of all Mount Kilimanjaro climbers use the Marangu Route.

It is also worth noting that the Marangu Route is the only route that uses huts/cabins as a form of accommodation instead of camping/tents.

Marangu 6 Days Success Rate

The 6 days Marangu Route is the best option for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro as it gives you an 80% success rate for summiting Mount Kilimanjaro because of an extra day for acclimatization.

Trail conditions: The 6 Days Marangu Route climb, will take you through a variety of vegetation zones that include misty forests, moorlands, alpine desert areas in the Saddle, and paths with rock outcrops and snow towards the very top of Mount Kilimanjaro.

HIGHLIGHTS

Distance: The Marangu route trail covers a total distance of 72 kilometers (45 miles).
Location: The route heads to the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro by coming from the southeastern side of the mountain. The 6 Days Marangu Route starts at the Marangu gate.
Height: The 6 Days Marangu route takes you to Mt Kilimanjaro’s Uhuru peak summit at an elevation of 5,895 meters (19,341 feet).
Success Rate: The Success rate for the 6 days Marangu Route tour is 80%

6 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Package

Below is the day-to-day itinerary of the 6 days Marangu route package for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro.

DAY	START	ALTITUDE (M/FT)	FINISH	ALTITUDE (M/FT)	TIME (HRS)	DISTANCE (KM/MI)
1	Marangu Gate	1,843m/ 6,046ft	Mandara Hut	2,700m/ 8,858ft	4-5	8km/ 5mi
2	Mandara Hut	2,700m/ 8,858ft	Horombo Hut	3,720m/ 12,205ft	6-8	12km/ 7mi
3	Horombo Hut	3,720m/ 12,205ft	Mawenzi Ridge	4,315m/ 14,160ft	2-3	5km/ 3mi
	Mawenzi Ridge	4,315m/ 14,160ft	Horombo Hut	3,720m/ 12,205ft	1-2	5km/ 3mi
4	Horombo Hut	3,720m/ 12,205ft	Kibo Hut	4,703m/ 15,430ft	6-8	10km/ 6mi
5	Kibo Hut	4,703m/ 15,430ft	Uhuru Peak	5,895m/ 19,341ft	6-8	6km/ 6mi
	Uhuru Peak	5,895m/ 19,341ft	Horombo Hut	3,720m/ 12,205ft	4-5	16km/ 10mi
6	Horombo Hut	3,720m/ 12,205ft	Marangu Gate	1,843m/ 6,046ft	5-7	20km/ 12mi

6 Days Marangu Route Reviews

Is the 6 Days Marangu Route for you? Well here are some few reviews from our past clients that climbed Kilimanjaro with us on the Marangu Route.

After days of searching for a good company to take us to Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, we chose Tranquil Kilimanjaro. The impromptu replies from Diana really helped us understand everything we wanted to know. She helped us pick the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro and the gear/equipment that was required of us. After everything was set, we arrived in Tanzania to an amazing adventure that was awaiting us. Everything was smooth from preparations, accommodation, and the entire journey up the mountain and back. We climbed via the 6 Days Marangu Route.

Bravo Tranquil Kilimanjaro!

Giussepe Nero – Rome, Italy

Additional information

Difficulty	Challenging

Day1

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut -

Elevation (ft): 6,046 ft (1,843 m) to 8,858 ft (2,700m)

Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
Begin your first day of the 6 Days Marangu Route with a transfer from your hotel in Moshi or Arusha towards the Marangu Gate. It is at the Marangu gate that you will meet up with your Mount Kilimanjaro crew that includes your Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu Route guide and porters then do some registration and paperwork ready for your climb. The Marangu Route trail begins with a beautiful ascent in the rainforest zone. The tropical rainforest is blessed with great views and a variety of rare monkey species that may include, the Sykes or Blue Monkey. This trail opens up to reveal amazing hills that lead to Mandara Hut, your accommodation for your first night.

Accommodations: Dormitory styled lodge cabin – Mandara Hut

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 2

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut -

Elevation: 8,858 ft (2,700m) to 12,205 ft (3720 m)

Distance: 12 km/7 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Heath
Start the second day on Mount Kilimanjaro by trekking through the forest until you reach into high moorland zone of the mountain. While here it is possible to get a glance at two of Mount Kilimanjaro’s 3 peaks, Kibo and Mawenzi. After a long and satisfying trek, you will wind up your day by relaxing and spending your night at the Horombo Hut.

Accommodations: Dormitory styled lodge cabin – Horombo Hut

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3

Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge  

Elevation (ft.): 12,205 ft. (3720 m) to 14,400 ft (4,389m)

Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Heath

Mawenzi Ridge to Horombo Hut

Elevation (ft.): 14,400 ft. (4,389m) to 12,205 (3720 m)
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
Habitat: Heath
The third day of your 6 days Marangu Route itinerary is basically your acclimatization day. This is an extra day set aside for acclimatization to combat altitude sickness and can be spent trekking on Mawenzi Ridge. The amazing landscape of the Mawenzi Ridge will definitely reward you with beautiful views of Kibo and Mawenzi while overlooking the Mawenzi tarn camp. After exploring the area for some time, we return to our accommodation/rest point of the day, Horombo hut.

Accommodations: (Dormitory styled lodge cabin) – Horombo Hut

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Elevation (ft.): 12,205 ft. (3720 m) to 15,430 ft. (4703 m)

Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Your Tranquil Kilimanjaro trek continues by gradually hiking across another ridge and lunar desert famously known as the “Saddle” which is sandwiched between the two Mount Kilimanjaro peaks, Mawenzi and Kibo.

The resting and accommodation camp of the day will be Kibo Hut, located at the base of the Kibo crater wall. To prepare for the summit hike ahead, you will enjoy your dinner and summiting preparations here at Kibo Hut as summiting usually takes place at midnight.

Accommodations: Dormitory styled lodge cabin – Kibo Hut

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Summit day: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak

Elevation (ft.): 15,430 ft. (4703 m) to 19,341 ft. (5895 m)
Distance: 6 km/4 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Arctic

Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Elevation (ft.): 19,341 ft. (5,895m) to 12,250 ft. (3733m)
Distance: 16 km/10 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Heath

Today is the summit day, so you will have to wake up very early at around midnight in a bid to reach the summit.

Mental and physical preparedness is usually put to the test here, as it is the most challenging part on Mount Kilimanjaro as you may face strong winds and cold weather.

We ascend at night time, with a few hours in darkness while a short break between different intervals.

Sunrise usually comes along when we reach Gilman’s point at an elevation of 18,600 ft. or 5,669 m with a view of the Mawenzi Peak.

Finally, we reach the summit at Uhuru Peak, which is basically the highest point in Africa, and the highest peak on Mount Kilimanjaro standing at 5,895 m or 19340 ft.

Reaching Uhuru peak is the ultimate goal, you will spend some time at the peak, reflecting on the challenge amid congratulations and satisfaction on this achievement.

After spending some time at Uhuru peak, we descend to Horombo Hut whereby you will enjoy your last dinner on Mount Kilimanjaro and have some rest, also your last sleep on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Accommodations: Dormitory styled lodge cabin – Horombo Hut

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Elevation (ft): 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Distance: 20 km/12 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Habitat: Rainforest

This is your last day on Mount Kilimanjaro as it marks the end of your 6 Days Marangu Route tour. You will go down the mountain with a descent trek bypassing the tropical rainforest.

We will collect our Mount Kilimanjaro summit certificates at the Marangu gate and then drive back to Moshi town.

The cost of climbing Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route – six days is as follows.

1 Person: $2,105

A group of 2 people: $1,715 per person

A group of 3 people: $1,590 per person

A group of 4 people: $1,525 per person

A group of 5 people: $1,485 per person

A group of 6 People: $1,460 per person

A group of 7 people: $1,420 per person

A group of 8 people: $1,400 per person

A group of 9 people: $1,385 per person

A group of 10 people: $1,355 per person

6 Days Marangu Route Price includes

All transfers to the mountain and back to your Arusha hotel

Professional, experienced, mountain guides

Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees

Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents

Sleeping Mattress

All meals while on the Mountain

Quality Mess tents with table and chairs

Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food

Clean, purified drinking water

Conservation fees (part of park fees)

Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)

Rescue fees (part of park fees)

VAT (18% charged by the Government)

Surcharge for online payment of deposit (5%)

Price Excludes

Airport transfers

Accommodation in Arusha

Tanzania Visa

Gratuity

Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

Meals not listed above

Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)

How long is the Marangu route?

The Marangu route takes 5 to 6 days to climb while the trail measures a total distance of 72 kilometers (45 miles)

Is the Marangu Route the best Kilimanjaro climbing route?

Even though the Marangu route is one of the easier and popular routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro it may be lacking in terms of scenery and other factors. The Machame Route: the most popular climbing route to Mount Kilimanjaro. The Rongai Route: the easiest route on Kilimanjaro. The Shira Route: which we do not recommend, exposes you to some serious altitude on the first day. The Lemosho Route: is the most beautiful route up Mount Kilimanjaro but one of the most expensive.

How much does it cost to climb Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route?

Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu route prices vary by whether you are using the 5 days route or the 6 days route. You can get a quote by contacting us or from our tour prices. The prices for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro depend on so many things. The Mount Kilimanjaro climb costs are determined by the number of days you will spend up the Mountain.

How much do you tip a Kilimanjaro, Marangu route porter?

The standard tipping money could be roughly $20 per day for guides, $12 per day for assistant guides, $12 per day for cooks, and $6 per day for waiters, toilet porters, and standard porters.

How fit do I need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route?

Great fitness levels will enable you to climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route with ease. Anyone can climb Mount Kilimanjaro as it is a walkable mountain. Since Mount Kilimanjaro climbing is categorized as a strenuous activity it is advisable to be in good physical fitness and have experience of multi-day trekking or walking trips before beginning a Kilimanjaro climb.

When is the best time to climb Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route?

If you want to use the 6 days Marangu Route, The best months to climb Kilimanjaro are January and February and July through October. The months of June and December could be cloudy and rainy but still, they are good months to climb Mount Kilimanjaro but not the best.

Why is the Marangu route called the Coca-Cola route?

The Marangu Route is popularly known as the “Coca- Cola” route because some years back, it was the only route that you could find coca-cola sodas served in the tea huts.