Soaring 5,895 meters into the sky, Mount Kilimanjaro dominates the northern Tanzanian skyline. This 8 Days Kilimanjaro Climb via the Marangu Route takes you to the roof of Africa through five distinct climatic zones—from dense rainforest where colobus monkeys swing overhead, to the surreal moorland, alpine desert, and finally the ice-capped summit. Affectionately known as the 'Coca-Cola Route,' Marangu is the most popular route offering the relative luxury of sleeping in huts along the entire journey. This extended 8-day itinerary includes an extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut, greatly increasing your chances of summit success. For those who dare, climbing Kilimanjaro isn't just a physical journey—it's an emotional one that ends with glacier views few people will ever witness.
Key Safari Highlights
- Summit Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – the roof of Africa
- Trek through five distinct climatic zones
- Sleep in comfortable mountain huts (only route with huts)
- Extra acclimatization day for better summit success
- Expert guides and support crew throughout
- Witness spectacular sunrises from the summit
- See giant lobelias and endemic groundsels
- Receive official summit certificate
Day by Day Itinerary
Arrival – Moshi
You will be met by your driver and transferred to your base hotel in Moshi for check-in and overnight. Moshi serves as the gateway to Kilimanjaro National Park and provides an excellent base from which to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. Use this day to rest, prepare your gear, and attend a briefing about the climb ahead. Your guides will check your equipment and answer any questions.
Marangu Gate (1,860m) – Mandara Hut (2,720m)
Drive 50 minutes from Moshi to Kilimanjaro National Park gate, passing through Marangu village on the lower slopes. Sign in at the Park office and make final preparations while porters arrange equipment. Ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest—suffused with mist and dripping with moss, this is where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found including colobus monkeys and blue monkeys. Your first night stop, Mandara Hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing with 6-8 sleeping bunks each, solar lighting, piped water, and flush toilets. Hiking time: 5 hours, Distance: 7km, Habitat: Montane forest.
Mandara Hut (2,720m) – Horombo Hut (3,720m)
From Mandara Hut, the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of Maundi Crater, then emerges into moorland. Take a short detour to scramble up the rim of Maundi Crater for your first impressive view of Kibo Crater—on clear days, Kibo glimmers in the distance showing off her majestic glaciers. In the open moorland, see Kilimanjaro's most spectacular endemic plants: giant lobelias growing up to 3 meters and giant groundsels (Senecio kilimanjari) reaching 5 meters! Arrive at Horombo Hut for hot washing water, rest, and evening meal. Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: 11km, Habitat: Moorland.
Horombo Hut – Acclimatization Day
This crucial extra day at Horombo Hut is for additional acclimatization, greatly increasing your chances of summit success. Horombo is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, bustling with ascending and descending hikers, guides, and porters. A hike towards Mawenzi Hut passing the Zebra Rocks (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down) is strongly recommended to assist with acclimatization. Remember to drink plenty of water and move slowly! All meals provided at the hut. Retire to bed early for a good night's rest before continuing your ascent.
Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Kibo Hut (4,703m)
After breakfast, continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo, take the recommended lower route which is easier and passes the last watering point at 4,130m—fill your water bottles with all the water you'll need until returning to Horombo. The barren Alpine desert landscape is otherworldly. Kibo Hut is a stone-built block house with bunk beds for 60 climbers. Prepare your equipment, thermal clothing, headlamp, and camera batteries for your summit bid. Go to bed around 7pm and try to get as much rest as possible before the midnight wake-up. Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: 12km, Habitat: Alpine desert.
Summit Day: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut
Rise around 11:30pm for tea and biscuits before shuffling off into the night—this is where the going gets tough. The rocky path leads to Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m), then zigzags steeply up stone scree to Gillman's Point (5,681m) on the crater rim—the most demanding section requiring great physical and mental effort. From Gillman's Point, encounter snow all the way to Uhuru Peak (5,895m)—the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction—you made it! After photos, descend 3 hours to Kibo Hut, gather your gear, then continue to Horombo Hut (3 hours). Total walking time: approximately 14 hours. Celebrate with dinner and well-earned sleep. Hiking time: 8h to summit, 6h descent.
Horombo Hut (3,720m) – Marangu Gate (1,860m) – Moshi
After breakfast, continue your descent (6 hours) passing Mandara Hut down to Marangu Gate. At the gate, sign the register and receive your summit certificates—green certificates for reaching Gillman's Point (5,685m) and gold certificates for reaching Uhuru Peak (5,895m). Drive back to Moshi for a long-overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations! Reflect on your incredible achievement of summiting Africa's highest peak. Hiking time: 6 hours, Distance: 18km.
Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure flight, or to Arusha to start your safari extension. Your unforgettable Kilimanjaro climb concludes with lifelong memories and the pride of having conquered Africa's highest peak.
What's Included
- Two nights accommodation in Moshi (before and after climb)
- Qualified mountain guides and support crew
- National park fees and rescue fees
- Hut accommodation fees on the mountain
- All meals on the mountain (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Boiled drinking water on the mountain
- Pulse oximeters and first aid kit
- Guides, porters, cook, waiter salaries and fees
- Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro International Airport)
- Summit certificates
What's Excluded
- Tips for guides, porters, cook, and waiters
- Meals and drinks not specified
- Mountain equipment (sleeping bags available for rent)
- Personal gear for the climb
- Emergency oxygen
- Additional hotel nights beyond the two included
- Extra activities (waterfall tour, cultural village visit)
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance (mandatory)
- International flights
