5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek

Q: What makes the Marangu Route different from other Kilimanjaro routes?

The Marangu Route is the only trail with hut accommodations instead of camping. It's also shorter in duration, has a gentler ascent, and follows the same path up and down.

Q: What type of accommodation is provided?

During the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek, you will stay in mountain huts with dormitory-style bunk beds. These are basic but provide shelter from the elements.

Q: What is the success rate for the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route?

Success rates vary but typically range from 65% to 75% for the 5-day trek. Taking an extra day (6-day version) increases your chances of reaching the summit.

Q: What’s the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

The best months are during the dry seasons: January to early March and June to October, offering clear skies and better trail conditions.

The 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via the Marangu Route is the perfect adventure for trekkers looking to summit Africa’s highest peak in a shorter timeframe without compromising comfort. Known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” Marangu is the only Kilimanjaro trail offering hut accommodations instead of tents, making it ideal for those seeking a less rugged experience.

Overview

Itinerary

Cost

FAQs

5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

This scenic route takes you through diverse climate zones—from lush rainforest and open moorland to high alpine desert and the glacier-covered summit. With a gradual ascent profile, the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek offers a rewarding and relatively manageable path to the summit, especially for those with good physical fitness and some hiking experience.

Five Days Kilimanja Trek Marangu Route

Along the way, you’ll be guided by Mandari Travel’s experienced mountain crew, ensuring your safety, comfort, and a higher chance of summit success. Each day is carefully planned to balance trekking time and acclimatization, with an optional acclimatization hike included to improve your chances of reaching the top.

Whether you’re chasing a lifelong goal or adding Africa’s Roof to your bucket list, the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek offers an unforgettable journey, stunning views, and a sense of achievement that lasts forever.

Day 1 :

Marangu Gate (1,870m) – Mandara Hut (2,700m)

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with a morning transfer from Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate, located at the eastern entrance to Kilimanjaro National Park. After registration and meeting your mountain crew, you’ll start your trek through the lush rainforest. This scenic trail is alive with birds and the occasional sighting of blue monkeys and colobus monkeys. After about 4–5 hours of hiking, you’ll reach Mandara Hut, where you’ll relax, enjoy dinner, and spend the night in mountain hut accommodation.

Day 2 :

Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

After breakfast, you’ll leave the rainforest behind and enter the heath and moorland zone. The trail offers stunning views and unique high-altitude vegetation such as giant lobelias and groundsels. As you climb steadily upwards, the landscape opens up with views of Mawenzi Peak in the distance. After 5–6 hours of trekking, you’ll arrive at Horombo Hut, your resting place for the night. The evening offers spectacular sunsets and a chance to acclimatize to the higher elevation.

Day 3 :

Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut

This day is dedicated to acclimatization, giving your body more time to adjust to the altitude and increasing your chances of a successful summit. After breakfast, you’ll take a short acclimatization hike toward Mawenzi Ridge or the famous Zebra Rocks (around 4,000 meters), then return to Horombo Hut for lunch and rest. The afternoon is free for relaxation, photography, or simply enjoying the alpine scenery before dinner and overnight at Horombo Hut.

Day 4 :

Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut (4,700m)

After an early breakfast, you’ll continue your ascent through the alpine desert zone on your way to Kibo Hut, located at the base of the summit. This stretch of the trail is drier, with minimal vegetation and wide open views. The hike takes approximately 6 hours and passes through the Saddle, a barren stretch between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Upon arrival at Kibo Hut, you’ll rest, have an early dinner, and prepare for the midnight summit attempt.

Day 5 :

Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate

Just after midnight, the final push to the summit begins. Equipped with headlamps, you’ll trek slowly in the cold and dark, ascending steeply toward Gilman’s Point (5,681m) on the crater rim. After a short rest, you’ll continue along the rim to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m)—the highest point in Africa—just in time for a breathtaking sunrise. After celebrating at the summit, you’ll descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest and then continue down to Horombo Hut for lunch and rest.

The following morning, you’ll make the final descent through the heath and rainforest back to Marangu Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificate. Your vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Moshi or Arusha, marking the end of your unforgettable Kilimanjaro journey with Mandari Travel.

Expand all

Is the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek suitable for beginners?

Yes, the Marangu Route is considered one of the most accessible paths to the summit and is suitable for beginners with good fitness. However, proper preparation and acclimatization are still essential.

What makes the Marangu Route different from other Kilimanjaro routes?

The Marangu Route is the only trail with hut accommodations instead of camping. It’s also shorter in duration, has a gentler ascent, and follows the same path up and down.

Will I have time to acclimatize on a 5-day trek?

While acclimatization time is limited compared to longer treks, the itinerary includes an extra acclimatization hike on Day 3 to increase summit success rates.

What type of accommodation is provided?

During the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek, you will stay in mountain huts with dormitory-style bunk beds. These are basic but provide shelter from the elements.

Do I need to carry all my gear?

No. A team of porters will carry your main luggage. You only need to carry a daypack with essentials like water, snacks, a jacket, and a camera.

What is the success rate for the 5 Days Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route?

Success rates vary but typically range from 65% to 75% for the 5-day trek. Taking an extra day (6-day version) increases your chances of reaching the summit.

What should I pack for this trek?

Essential items include layered clothing, a warm sleeping bag, waterproof gear, hiking boots, a headlamp, sunscreen, a refillable water bottle, and personal medication.

Are there toilets and showers on the trail?

Toilets at the huts are basic pit latrines, and there are no showers. Mandari Travel provides warm water for washing in the mornings and evenings.

What’s the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?

The best months are during the dry seasons: January to early March and June to October, offering clear skies and better trail conditions.

Is altitude sickness common on the 5-day Marangu trek?

Yes, it can occur due to rapid altitude gain. The acclimatization hike on Day 3 helps, and our guides are trained to monitor symptoms and ensure your safety.