Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route – MODERATE / BEGINNER-FRIENDLY
Climb Kilimanjaro the Marangu Way – The Legendary “Coca-Cola Route”
Reach for the stars on this epic adventure to the summit of Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route, dubbed the “Coca-Cola route”. Enjoy spectacular views of varied landscapes and breathtaking sunrises on this high-success trek to the top of Africa – literally! Connect with fellow adventurers, build bonds along the way, and share unforgettable moments as you push toward the summit. Rest in comfortable huts with the unique luxury of running water and cooked meals, and be fully fueled for your challenging commitment to check of a true bucket-list experience.
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The Beginner-Friendly Journey via Marangu Route
The Marangu Route, or the “Coca-cola Route“, to the summit of Kilimanjaro offers a perfectly balanced blend of adventure and comfort with its mix of gradual altitude increases and relative luxury of huts with running water – in most cases. These are boxes that checks off a journey with a high success rate, all while being a rewarding challenge that will leave you with the memory of every step being worth all the breathtaking views and self-developing experiences it will carry!
Marangu Route is one of Tanzania’s most popular routes for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route because of the availability of Coca-Cola products along the way. The Marangu route is one of the oldest routes up Kilimanjaro and is well-established, with clear paths and comfortable huts for accommodation. Compared to some of the other routes up Kilimanjaro such as Lemosho and Machame, the Marangu route is considered a moderate difficulty trek. This means that you do not need extensive mountaineering experience to climb it. This trek offers scenic views of the mountain and its surrounding landscape, including lush rainforests, volcanic rocks, and glaciers. The Kilimanjaro Marangu route offers a chance to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro, which is a great accomplishment and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Climbing Marangu Route solo? Don’t worry, all travelers have the option to choose between a private climb or to be placed in a group with other climbers. Solo adventurers looking to join a group will be well taken care of, ensuring they can share the experience with other trekkers.
Sprinkle Some Safari or Zanzibar Perfection on It
After conquering such a demanding challenge, why not reward yourself with a brief custom safari adventure of choice, or a relaxing beach holiday by crystal-clear waters in the outstanding Zanzibar as the cherry on top? Our seamless travel packages are made with endless of opportunities to combine exactly as you please – allowing you to craft your own African destiny with us. The sky is the limit with World Adventure Tours!
Reaching the summet of Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route is an incredible achievement. If you’re interested in other unique perspective of Kilimanjaro – check out the Lemosho route! Or if you’re up for a real challenge, check out the Whiskey Route for a hike of a lifetime!
Challenge Level
Moderate / Beginner-Friendly
Best Time to Go
Mar–May: Wet & muddy
Jun–Sep: Dry & popular
Oct–Nov: Short rains, fewer crowds
Route Features
Rainforest start • Gradual trail • Dormitory-style huts • Good acclimatization • Most comfortable route
Weather
Highlights
Beginner-friendly with a high success rate to Uhuru Peak
Comfortable huts with convenient amenities
Stunning views and deep cultural insights of Tanzania
Tailored support from qualified mountain guides
Gear and equipment rentals are available through our service
Why Climb with World Adventure Tours?
World Adventure Tours isn’t just about safaris – we’re passionate, professional mountaineers with deep expertise in high-altitude climbing. Whether you’re a first-time climber or have tackled peaks for a long time, our team is highly trained and ready to guide you every step of the way, ensuring your safety and success.
Gear, Packing & Pro Tips
Sustainable & Ethical Trekking
Safety & Acclimatization First
Expert Guides
Personalized Comfort
Diverse Routes
7 Days – Day-to-Day Program
Arrival in Moshi
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or Similar overnight.
🍽 Meals: None
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Begin the Ascent via Marangu Gate
Altitude: 1,800 m – 2,720 m
Hiking time: 4 hours
Leave Springlands Hotel at about 8:00 a.m. and drive 45 minutes to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate, such as registrations. Begin hiking at about 10:30 a.m. Hike through the rainforest from the park gate to Mandara Hut, which takes about 4 hours. Stop halfway for lunch. Reach the Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 p.m. Unpack, rest, and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during the early evening, at about 7 p.m. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings and the views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Mandara Hut or Similar
Trek to Horombo Hut
Altitude: 2,720 m – 3,720 m
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Wake up for breakfast (approx. 7:30 a.m.) and pack for the next leg. Break camp at about 8:30 a.m. and hike to Horombo Hut. This leg should take 5 to 6 hours. You travel through lower-heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch. Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive at Horombo Huts at about 3 p.m. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Horombo Hut or Similar
Continue to Kibo Hut
Altitude: 3,720 m – 4,720 m
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with the upper heathland but disappears into a “moonscape.” Dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Kibo Hut or Similar
Summit Uhuru Peak
Altitude: 4,720 m – 5,895 m
Hiking time: 7 hours
Wake to a light breakfast around midnight, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out in the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise. Leave at about 1:00 a.m. and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00 a.m. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak at about 8:30 a.m. From there, you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things, and cross the saddle again to Horombo Huts, where you will spend the night. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Horombo Hut or Similar
Descend and Return to Moshi
Wake, as usual, pack, and descend to Mandara Huts. Have your lunch there and continue to the park gate, where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 2 or 3 p.m. You will now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower. It is recommended to tip guides and porters—this is highly appreciated at the end of the trip. Tips can be given to the main guide at Springlands Hotel, where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those who reached Stella Point (5,759 m) are issued green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
Departure
Depart for Kilimanjaro Airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. Zanzibar is a great trip to take after a hard climb. Other trips around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region can be arranged at a reasonable price.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: None (end of adventure)
8 Days – Day-to-Day Program
Arrival in Moshi
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport, where you will be picked up and transferred to Springlands Hotel or Similar overnight.
🍽 Meals: None
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
⭐ Upgrades: Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel
Begin the Ascent via Marangu Gate
Altitude: 1,800 m – 2,720 m
Hiking time: 4 hours
Leave Springlands Hotel at about 8:00 a.m. and drive 45 minutes to Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro. Do the necessary paperwork at the park gate, such as registrations. Begin hiking at about 10:30 a.m. Hike through the rainforest from the park gate to Mandara Hut, which takes about 4 hours. Stop halfway for lunch. Reach the Mandara Huts at about 2 or 3 p.m. Unpack, rest, and have some tea or coffee. Dinner is served during the early evening, at about 7 p.m. A side trip to Maundi Crater (about 15 minutes away) is a good way to see the surroundings and the views of Kenya and Northern Tanzania. Bathrooms are available with running water.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Mandara Hut or Similar
Trek to Horombo Hut
Altitude: 2,720 m – 3,720 m
Hiking time: 5–6 hours
Wake up for breakfast (approx. 7:30 a.m.) and pack for the next leg. Break camp at about 8:30 a.m. and hike to Horombo Hut. This leg should take 5 to 6 hours. You travel through lower-heath land with small shrubs being the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch. Views of Mawenzi are amazing. The summit of Kibo can be seen from Horombo Huts. Arrive at Horombo Huts at about 3 p.m. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms are available with running water.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Horombo Hut or Similar
Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
This day you will have an extra day at Horombo Hut (3,720 m) for acclimatization. It will be great training for your body to get used to the altitude as you walk around the hut up to Zebra Rocks at an altitude of 4,100 m and back. You will get spectacular views and familiarize yourself with summit weather. You will overnight at Horombo Hut.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Horombo Hut or Similar
Continue to Kibo Hut
Altitude: 3,720 m – 4,720 m
Hiking time: 6–7 hours
Wake up for breakfast as usual (if you wake before sun-up, you can get some great sunrise photos). Pack and begin the hike to Kibo Huts. The first half of the day’s hike traverses the upper heathland, while the second half crosses the vast saddle that connects Mawenzi and Kibo. The saddle is an alpine desert that resembles a lunar landscape. Be careful to notice signs of altitude sickness. The day’s hike should take 6 to 7 hours, stopping halfway for lunch. There is no running water at Kibo Huts.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Kibo Hut or Similar
Summit Uhuru Peak
Altitude: 4,720 m – 5,895 m
Hiking time: 7 hours
Wake up to a light breakfast at around midnight, and then prepare for the summit ascent. This part of the hike is carried out in the early morning before dawn so that the climbers reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise. Leave at about 1:00 a.m. and reach Gilman’s Point at about 7:00 a.m. The climbers are met with views of the crater from Gilman’s Point because it is on the Crater Rim. Another 2 hours of hiking brings the climber to Uhuru Peak at about 8:30 a.m. From there, you will descend back to Kibo Huts, collect your things, and cross the saddle again to Horombo Huts, where you will spend the night. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Horombo Hut or Similar
Descend and Return to Moshi
Wake, as usual, pack, and descend to Mandara Huts. Have your lunch there and continue to the park gate, where you will be met by your transport back to Moshi. You should reach the park gate around 2 or 3 p.m. You will now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower. It is recommended to tip guides and porters—this is highly appreciated at the end of the trip. Tips can be given to the main guide at Springlands Hotel, where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those who reached Stella Point (5,759 m) are issued green certificates, and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) receive gold certificates.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
🏨 Accommodation: Springlands Hotel or Similar
Departure
Depart for Kilimanjaro Airport or other destinations in Tanzania or Kenya. Zanzibar is a great trip to take after a hard climb. Other trips around Moshi and the Kilimanjaro region can be arranged at a reasonable price.
🍽 Meals: Breakfast
🏨 Accommodation: None (end of adventure)
What makes Marangu Special?
Easier and accessible – A well-maintained trail with gradual inclines, ideal for beginners or those seeking a less technical climb
Comfortable hut accommodations – Stay in shared mountain huts with beds, running water, and cooked meals for extra convenience
High success rate – A steady, well-paced ascent improves acclimatization and increases summit success
Fastest route to the summit – The only route where you can reach Uhuru Peak in just five days, making it perfect for those on a tighter schedule
The classic Kilimanjaro experience – As the oldest and most established route, Marangu is a historic and well-loved path to the top of Africa
Check out our Climbing Gear Tutorial before you go! 👆
Included in the Price
- 2 Nights accommodation at Springlands Hotel – Bed & Breakfast basis
- All park fees
- National Park-approved guides and porters
- Accommodation on the mountain (Marangu Route accommodations are in huts).
- Meals on the mountain
- Transport from Moshi at Springlands hotel to the starting point on the mountain and return to Moshi at Springlands hotel
- Travel Guarantee with the Swedish Kammarkollegiet »
Price Does Not Cover *
- Domestic or International flights
- Entry visa to Tanzania
- Travel and health insurance
- Single room supplement at Springlands Hotel
- Guides, porters, and cook tips – Find guidelines in our Help Center
- Mountain gear e.g. sleeping bags, clothes, and shoes (some climbing gear will be available for hire at Springlands Hotel)
* Rest assured, we’re here to assist with anything not covered in the price. Your convenience is our priority.
Don’t Miss Our Group Deals
Accommodation
See all accommodation and upgrades available.
Springlands Hotel
Huts
Accommodation Upgrades
Please note that accommodation upgrades are exclusively available with our PRIVATE option. Should you choose the group adventure, the standard – yet comfortable – accommodation will be provided.
Chanya Lodge
Gran Melia Hotel, Arusha
Add-ons
Discover Africa with Our Exhilarating Activities. Pick and choose from our handpicked collection of activities and day trips to enrich your African travel plan with that special touch.
Huts
The majority of the comfortable huts are equipped with bathrooms with running water, although there are exceptions.
Evening meals are served by dedicated cooks, keeping you well-fed and energized to support your journey ahead.
Enjoy basic and functional – and relatively luxurious – amenities set against the backdrop of Tanzania’s stunning landscapes.
All gear and equipment are available to rent through us!
Springlands Hotel
Springlands Hotel in Moshi, 29 km from Kilimanjaro Airport (JRO), offers accommodation with amenities like an outdoor pool, complimentary parking, a bar, 24-hour reception, and free WiFi. Continental or à la carte breakfast is served at the hotel.
Rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a seating area, satellite TV, a kitchenette, dining area, and private bathroom with all essentials, including a kettle. Enjoy a hiking around Moshi, with a mini-supermarket just 3 km away.
Upgrade to Chanya Lodge or Gran Melia Hotel.
Campsites
The campsites offer practical tents that is set up by the porters. You will need a sleeping bag, warm clothes to handle the cold nights and walking poles for the terrain.
The porters will boil drinking and washing water, and cook and serve dinner at the camps.
Enjoy basic and functional amenities in unforgettable scenic locations.
All gear and equipment are available to rent through us!
Chanya Lodge
Chanya Lodge is licated at the foothills of the majestiv Mount Kilimanjaro, juat outaide Moshi in Tanzania. A convenitently drive from the airport it’s perfect for trekkers, tourists, families and business visitors.
The residence offers 32 en-suite rooms, a large pool, a diverse cuisine restaurant and beautiful grassy gardens.
Gran Melia Hotel, Arusha
This magnificent hotel Is located between the majestic Serengeti and Kilimanjaro National Parks, unveiling the natural beauty of Tanzania’s wilderness.
Enjoy an oasis of five-star luxury and comfort with unbeatable facilities, exclusive suites, international cuisine, spa, an infinity pool and a gym – it’s the ideal retreat for an exciting safari adventure or a luxurious business meeting.
Request a Free Quote
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- Without any obligation to book
- Your request will be sent directly to the operator
- Travel guarantee with Swedish Kammarkollegiet