This 5-Day Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari via Marangu (Coca-cola) Route is one of the most popular packages to climb Kilimanjaro Mountain.
A 5-day ascent of Kilimanjaro is considered a fast ascent to the summit which can be quit challenging for the less experienced thus highly recommended for those who trust in their body’s ability to adapt to the high altitude fast and have experience of mountain climbing.
Via the Marangu route
For this 5-day Kilimanjaro hike, you will use the Marangu route also commonly known as the “Coca-cola” route. The most crowded route and the only route with permanent hut accommodation where climbers / hikers sleep on bunk beds (dormitory style).
Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari Highlights
- Day 1: Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara hut (1,860 – 2,700m)
- Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut (2,700 – 3,720m)
- Day 3: Horombo hut to Kibo hut (3,720 – 4,703m)
- Day 4: Kibo hut to Uhuru peak to Horombo hut (4,703 – 5,895 – 3,720m)
- Day 5: Horombo hut to Marangu gate to Moshi (3,720 – 1,860)
Detailed itinerary
Day 1: Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara hut (1,860 – 2,700m)
Transfer from Moshi after breakfast at your hotel to Marangu gate where you will finish up with your paperwork before joining your climbing crew (the guides and porters) to start your 5-day Mt. Kilimanjaro climb.
You will start your climb with a trek through the lush green rainforest with chances of spotting some primates and birds that inhabit the forest.
Take a break for lunch and continue your climb to Mandara hut where you will have your dinner and spend your first night on the mighty Kilimanjaro.
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut (2,700 – 3,720m)
Today’s climb will see you leave the rainforest behind and into the moorland zone through the giant heathers in the heathland. At this point with clear skies, you will be able to get the first glimpse of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Enjoy the beautiful scenery as you continue your ascent reaching Horombo hut where you will rest for the night.
Hiking time: 6-8 hours
Day 3: Horombo hut to Kibo hut (3,720 – 4,703m)
As you continue your climb up Kilimanjaro Mountain on day 3, you will cross the saddle that connects Mawenzi peak and Kibo peak to each other.
Here, you will stop and have lunch and later continue your trek in the alpine desert to the base of Kibo crater where you will be spending the night today at the Kibo hut.
Once you reach your hut, get started on preparing for the final ascent to the summit. Your warm clothes, gloves, hiking poles and your headlamp / flash light.
On a 6-day Marangu route climb, this would be an acclimatization day.
Hiking time: 6-8 hours
Day 4: Kibo hut to Uhuru peak to Horombo hut (4,703 – 5,895 – 3,720m)
The day you were looking forward too is here. After a cup of coffee / tea with some snacks, you will start your final summit ascent at midnight from Kibo hut. The toughest day of the mountain and also the most rewarding once you make it to the summit.
You will ascend through the strong winds and the extreme cold weather with interval breaks like at the Gilman’s point from where you can see the Mawenzi peak and glimpses of the sunrise, from here you reach the Uhuru peak (5,895m) highest point in Africa, situated on top of Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Spend some time here to take in the freshness of a victorious climb to the summit of Kilimanjaro, take pictures and enjoy the views.
Later on, descend all the way back to Horombo hut via the Kibo hut where you will have your warm lunch from. Lat night on the mountain at Horombo hut.
Hiking time: 6-7 hours (ascent) 4-5 hours (descent)
Day 5: Horombo hut to Marangu gate to Moshi (3,720 – 1,860)
Last day of your 5-day Kilimanjaro hike / climb to the top (Uhuru peak). You will descend yet again through the rainforest and back to the Marangu gate. Here your tour driver will be waiting. Drive you to your hotel in Moshi for more celebrations of your just concluded accomplishment.
Hiking time: 4-5 hours
