The 6-day Marangu keeps everything people love about the Coca-Cola Route — hut accommodation, gentle trails, great value — and fixes its one weakness by adding an acclimatization day at Horombo Hut.
That extra day, with an acclimatization hike towards the Mawenzi Ridge, roughly doubles the summit success rate compared to the 5-day version. This is the Marangu itinerary we recommend.
Day by Day
Altitude-focused daily plan with distances, hiking times, habitats and overnight camps.
Trek through lush rainforest alive with birdsong to Mandara Hut, with an optional side trip to the Maundi Crater rim for views over the Kenyan plains.
Start
1,860m
End
2,700m
Highest point
2,700m
Climb through giant heather into open moorland with wonderful views of Mawenzi's jagged spires, arriving at Horombo Hut in the afternoon.
Start
2,700m
End
3,720m
Highest point
3,720m
The day that doubles your summit chances: a relaxed acclimatization hike towards the Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rocks, climbing high then returning to sleep low at Horombo.
Start
3,720m
End
3,720m
Highest point
4,100m
Cross the lunar Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to Kibo Hut at the foot of the summit cone. Early dinner, final briefing, and rest before the midnight start.
Start
3,720m
End
4,700m
Highest point
4,700m
Summit night: switchbacks by headlamp to Gilman's Point, then the crater rim to Uhuru Peak as dawn breaks over the glaciers. Descend to Horombo Hut for a final mountain night.
Start
4,700m
End
3,720m
Highest point
5,895m
Descend through the moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate for your certificate and farewells, then transfer back to your hotel.
Start
3,720m
End
1,860m
Highest point
3,720m
Questions
Choose Marangu if you want hut beds and the lowest price; choose Machame for better scenery and a higher summit success rate.
Our mountain team climbs these routes every month — ask us anything about fitness, gear, altitude or dates.
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