5-Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Marangu Route (Coca-Cola Route) from Moshi to Uhuru Peak
Difficulty
difficult
Duration
5 days (approx. 48–60 hours on trail)
Fitness Level
Good aerobic fitness with experience on long day hikes; training should include sustained uphill and stair sessions and pack carries.
Overview
Spend five days on Kilimanjaro’s Marangu route—the classic "Coca‑Cola" trail that pairs sleeping huts with a steady, scenic ascent to Uhuru Peak. Expect rainforest, giant lobelias, a summit night under headlamps, and practical hut-based logistics from Moshi.
5-Day Kilimanjaro Climb: Marangu Route (Coca-Cola Route) from Moshi to Uhuru Peak
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The pre-dawn air at Kibo Hut bites at your cheeks like a challenge. Torches sweep across a slope of loose volcanic scree as a slow line of headlamps threads upward toward Gilman’s Point. Around you, the mountain is an organism of its own—winds that test your balance, a sky that grows paler with each step, and underfoot a ground that remembers fire: hardened lava, ash and glacial scar. This is the Marangu route: the oldest, most established line up Kilimanjaro and the one that offers the unusual comfort of mountain huts between stages.
Adventure Photos
Adventure Tips
Acclimatize early
Spend time in Moshi or do a practice hike before departure; the Marangu route gains elevation quickly so any acclimatization reduces AMS risk.
Bring a warm sleeping bag
Huts provide mattresses and pillows but temperatures at Kibo Hut and during summit night drop well below freezing; a 0°C to -10°C rated bag is recommended.
Use trekking poles
Poles stabilize you on loose scree during ascent and protect knees on the long descent to Horombo and Marangu Gate.
Hydrate and monitor symptoms
Drink often—aim for 3–4 liters per day on higher days—and tell your guide immediately if you have persistent headache, nausea, or dizziness.
Local Insights
Wildlife
- Colobus monkeys in the montane forest
- Rock hyraxes and alpine birds like the Malachite sunbird in higher zones
History
Kilimanjaro’s Marangu route is the oldest established path and was popularized in the early 20th century; huts were built to support more predictable, multi-day ascents.
Conservation
Kilimanjaro National Park enforces permits and limits camping to protected sites; stick to trails, pack out waste and use guides who follow porter welfare and leave-no-trace practices.
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Adventure Hotspots in Moshi
Frequently Asked Questions
Recommended Gear
0°C to -10°C sleeping bag
Required for cold nights in Kibo Hut and during the summit push.
Sturdy waterproof hiking boots
Support and traction for wet forest trails, scree and rocky alpine sections.
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Essential for the midnight summit ascent when you’ll be hiking in the dark.
Trekking poles
Reduce strain on knees during descent and provide balance on loose scree.