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Kilimanjaro · Marangu Route
Marangu Route Full Moon Summit Climb
Kilimanjaro’s original route, timed to a full moon so your summit push is lit by moonlight — with hut accommodation every night on the mountain.
Overview
Kilimanjaro’s original route, at its most memorable
The Marangu Route — known as the “Coca-Cola Route” — is Kilimanjaro’s oldest and most established path to the summit, and the only one where you sleep in mountain huts rather than a tent. It’s a steady, well-graded climb through rainforest and moorland to Kibo Hut, with Mawenzi’s jagged peak in view for much of the way.
We time this climb to depart around the full moon. On summit night, natural moonlight lights the trail to Gilman’s Point and on to Uhuru Peak — a genuinely different, quieter experience of the mountain, and one many climbers describe as the highlight of the whole trip.
We build this itinerary over six days rather than five, adding an acclimatization day at Horombo Hut. Every climb is led by our senior local guides, supported by a well-cared-for crew, and carries emergency oxygen and daily health checks — so you can focus on the mountain, not the logistics.
Trip at a glance
Duration
6 days / 5 nights
Route
Marangu (Coca-Cola)
Difficulty
Moderate
Max altitude
Uhuru Peak, 5,895m
Accommodation
Mountain huts + hotel
Departure timing
⚠ Fixed, near full moon
Group
Private or small group
Mandara & Horombo Huts
⚠ Placeholder — swap for a real hut/dormitory photo
Trip highlights
What you’ll experience
- Hut accommodation every night — the only route where you sleep in a proper bed under a roof, not a tent.
- A full moon summit night, lighting the trail to Uhuru Peak for a quieter, less headlamp-dependent climb.
- The gentlest, most established gradient on the mountain, ideal for a steady, predictable ascent.
- Two full days with Mawenzi’s jagged peak in view, between Horombo and Kibo Hut.
- A built-in acclimatization day at Horombo Hut for a safer, stronger summit push.
Day by day
Your 6-day Marangu Full Moon itinerary
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
After your morning briefing and transfer to Marangu Gate, you climb steadily through lush montane rainforest to Mandara Hut — your first night in a mountain hut, with a shared dining hall and proper beds waiting at the end of the day.
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
The forest thins into open moorland as you climb toward Horombo. On clear days, Mawenzi’s jagged peak comes into view ahead — it’ll stay in sight for much of the next two days.
Acclimatization day at Horombo Hut
A key acclimatization day: a short optional hike toward the Zebra Rocks or Mawenzi Tarn viewpoint, then back to Horombo to sleep at the same altitude again. This is the extra day that sets the 6-day itinerary apart from the rushed 5-day version.
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
The moorland gives way to a stark, high-altitude alpine desert. You reach Kibo Hut — the last stop before the summit — in the early afternoon, then eat and rest through the evening. Tonight, under the full moon, you climb.
Full moon summit: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, then down to Horombo Hut
You set off around midnight, the trail lit by moonlight, climbing steadily to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim and on to Uhuru Peak — the Roof of Africa. After summit photos, you descend the same path all the way back to Horombo Hut for a well-earned rest.
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate, and transfer to your hotel
A long final descent back through the rainforest to Marangu Gate, where you receive your summit certificate. We then transfer you back to your hotel for a hot shower and a proper celebration.
The details
What’s included & what’s not
Included
- All national park & hut fees
- Professional, licensed mountain guides
- Fairly paid cooks & porters
- All meals & drinking water on the mountain
- Dormitory-style hut accommodation each night on the mountain
- 2 hotel nights in Moshi (before & after)
- Airport transfers (Kilimanjaro / JRO)
- Emergency oxygen, oximeter checks & first aid
Not included
- International flights
- Tanzania entry visa
- Travel insurance (with high-altitude cover)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Personal climbing gear (available to rent)
- Meals & drinks not on the mountain
- Personal expenses & laundry
- Optional upgrades (private departure, VIP)
Good to know
Before you book this climb
Fitness
No technical skills needed. Marangu’s steady, well-graded trail makes it one of the more approachable routes, though summit night is still demanding regardless of route.
Hut accommodation
Every night on the mountain is spent in a shared dormitory-style hut with a bed — no tent, sleeping mat, or ground-level camping involved.
Full moon timing
⚠ Summit night is scheduled around the lunar calendar, so departure dates are fixed and limited. Confirm the next available dates with our team before booking.
Safety & acclimatization
Twice-daily health checks, emergency oxygen, and the built-in acclimatization day at Horombo are standard on this itinerary.
Questions
Frequently asked
Do I need climbing experience?
No. Marangu is a non-technical trek — there’s no rope work or climbing skill required. It’s widely considered the gentlest gradient on the mountain, though the altitude on summit night is still the main challenge, whichever route you choose.
Why choose the Marangu Route over other routes?
Marangu is the only route with hut accommodation instead of tents — a real bed and a roof every night on the mountain. It also has the most established trail and the gentlest overall gradient, which is why it’s sometimes called the “Coca-Cola Route.”
What makes a Full Moon summit different?
We time this departure so summit night falls close to a full moon, which lights the trail to Uhuru Peak with natural moonlight. It’s a quieter, less headlamp-dependent climb — many past climbers call it the highlight of the trip. Because it’s tied to the lunar calendar, departure dates are fixed and limited, so send us an enquiry early to check availability.
Is the price per person?
Yes. The exact figure depends on your group size and dates — send us an enquiry and we’ll give you an honest, all-inclusive quote.
Can I add a safari or Zanzibar afterwards?
Absolutely. Many climbers pair the climb with a Serengeti safari or a Zanzibar beach stay, all arranged by our team as one seamless trip.
Enquire & book
Reserve your Marangu Full Moon Summit Climb
Send us your dates and group size. Full moon departures are limited and fill up fast, so an early enquiry gets you first choice of dates — we’ll reply with availability and an honest, all-inclusive quote.
We reply within one working day