Beyond Expeditions

Introduction

Mount Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak, towering at 5,895 meters in Tanzania. It’s also the largest free-standing mountain in the world, with three distinct peaks: Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira. The highest point, Uhuru Peak, is located on Kibo.

The Marangu Route, famously known as the “Coca-Cola Route,” is one of the most popular ways to summit Kilimanjaro. It’s considered shorter than other routes and offers comfortable hut accommodations. Despite its popularity, the trek is challenging and should not be underestimated.

On this route, you’ll stay at three camps: Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo, each with huts accommodating 4–6 people on comfortable beds. Note that while running water is available at Mandara and Horombo, Kibo Camp only has toilets. This 6-day itinerary allows an extra day for acclimatization at Horombo, improving your chances for a successful summit.

This expedition is led by Akke Rahman, a double Everest summiteer who has also climbed multiple 8,000-meter peaks, as well as many other mountains worldwide, including several successful Kilimanjaro summits.

Itinerary – Feb 2026

Day 1 – Arrival (1^st Feb)

Activity: Arrival in Kilimanjaro Airport, transfers to Arusha, overnight hotel stay
Highlights: Pre-trek briefing, equipment check

Day 2 – Drive to Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts (2^nd Feb)

Elevation: 1,860m → 2,700m
Distance: 8 km
Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Rainforest
Temperature: Day 21 – 32°C | Night 4 – 15°C
Highlights: Obtain trekking permit, trek to Mandara, short acclimatization hike to Moundi Crater. Packed lunch included.

Day 3 – Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts (3^rd Feb)

Elevation: 2,700m → 3,700m
Distance: 12 km
Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Moorland
Temperature: Day 10–27°C | Night -1 – 15°C

Day 4 – Rest Day at Horombo (4^th Feb)

Activity: Optional acclimatization hike to Zebra Rocks
Benefits: Helps your body adjust to altitude before ascending further

Day 5 – Horombo Huts to Kibo Huts (5^th Feb)

Elevation: 3,700m → 4,700m
Distance: 9 km
Time: 5–6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Temperature: Day -6 – 20°C | Night -10 – -2°C

Day 6 – Summit Day & Descent to Horombo (6^th Feb)

Elevation: 4,700m → 5,895m → 3,700m
Distance: 6 km up, 15 km down
Time: 10–12 hours
Habitat: Arctic Zone
Temperature: Summit Day -10 – -4°C | Night -20 – -7°C
Highlights: Early morning summit push (12–2am), reach Uhuru Peak, descend to Horombo for overnight rest

Day 7 – Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate & Transfer to Moshi (7^th Feb)

Elevation: 3,700m → 1,860m
Distance: 9 km
Time: 5–6 hours
Highlights: Trek ends, transfer to Moshi hotel for overnight stay

Day 8 – Departure (8^th Feb)

Activity: Transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your flight home
Optional Safari Extensions: Tarangire National Park, Ngoro Ngoro Crater (£500 per person, minimum group 2), or Serengeti Safari (4+ days – price on request)

Costs

Trek: £2,450 per person
Optional 2-day safari (Tarangire & Ngorongoro): £500 per person, all-inclusive. Serengeti Safari available 4+ Days required, price on request.

Inclusions

All transfers (airport, hotel, mountain, return)
1 night hotel stay before trek & 1 night after (B&B)
Experienced guides, porters, and cooks
Hut fees (4 sharing)
All meals on the mountain (Please let us know in advance if you have any special dietary requirements.)
Drinking water
Park, hut, and rescue fees
Emergency oxygen cylinders
Kilimanjaro summit certificate
Nutritious meals throughout trek

Exclusions

Tanzania visa
International & domestic flights
Extra hotel nights
Personal trekking equipment (available for rent)
Tips for guides, porters, and staff
Trekking insurance (required)
Personal expenses (laundry, beverages, etc.)
Meals outside itinerary
Alcoholic drinks

Equipment List
Whilst everything in this list is not compulsory, it’s advisable for your comfort and best experience.

1 set of base layers, top and bottom
4-5 pairs of underwear
1-2 pairs of trekking pants
Waterproof Trousers
1 pair of insulated trekking pants
1-2 long sleeve trekking top
3-4 short sleeve trekking T-shirt
1 Fleece Jacket
1 insulated down jacket
1 windbreaker or lightweight waterproof jacket
4-5 pairs of trekking socks (medium weight socks will do but 1 heavyweight pair for summit night)
Insulated hiking boots (mid weight at least)
Sun hat (with neck cover advised but not necessary)
Warm sock hat
Buff for covering neck and face on summit night when windy
Lightweight gloves
Warm outer gloves

Accessories

Sunglasses
Headlamp + spare battery
Adjustable trekking poles
Large water bottle or hydration bladder
80-90 duffle bag
20-30 litre daypack (rucksack with rain cover)
4 season sleeping bag (can be rented)
Inflatable pillow
Hand towel
General personal hygiene necessities
Biodegradable wet wipes
Sun tan lotion
Insect repellent
Pee bottle (optional)
General medication
Lock for duffle bag
Toilet paper (required)
Power bank

Snacks

High energy bars
Chocolates
Gummy bear
Nuts

If you don’t have your own gear, everything you need can be rented in Moshi.

Other Costs

Each member responsible for their own additional costs

Tips for staff, total for group of 10 $250 per person approximately for the whole trek.
Food on arrival and after expedition, breakfast is included.

Tipping Guidelines for Mt. Kilimanjaro Trek

Tipping is normal and expected at Kilimanjaro. This might come as a surprise to many, especially if coming from countries and cultures where tipping is not as prevalent or present at all. The amount of tip is also larger than other treks you might have been on previously. This is because unlike most other treks around the world, trekking on Kilimanjaro requires a big crew. A group of 6 trekkers will have up to 23 members of support staff, consisting of senior guide, assistant guides, cooks and porters.

Tipping guidelines

Although larger tips are always appreciated by staff, they will be extremely grateful if you follow the guidelines for tipping given below. These amounts given below are for the whole group. For example, the whole group tips USD 15 to the cook per day. So, these costs will be divided amongst the whole group.

Senior guide: $20 – 25 per day from the whole group
Assistant guide: $15 – 20 per day from the whole group
Cook: $12 – 15 per day from the whole group
Waiter: $10 – 12 per day from the whole group
Porter: $8 – 10 per day from the whole group
Summit porter: $12 – 15 per day from the whole group

Crew for various group sizes

To calculate tips, it’s important to understand how large your support team is going to be. Below we have listed the crew size from Group of 1 to 10.

Group of 1 – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Cook, 3 or 4 Porters
Group of 2 – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Assistant Guide, 1 Cook, 6 Porters
Group of 3 – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Assistant Guide, 1 Cook, 9 Porters
Group of 4 – 1 Senior Guide, 1 Assistant Guide, 1 Cook and 12 Porters
Group of 5 – 1 Senior Guide, 2 Assistant Guides, 1 Cook and 15 Porters
Group of 6 – 1 Senior Guide, 2 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks and 18 Porters
Group of 7 – 1 Senior Guide, 2 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks and 21 Porters
Group of 8 – 1 Senior Guide, 3 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks and 24 Porters
Group of 9 – 1 Senior Guide, 3 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks and 27 Porters
Group of 10 – 1 Senior Guide, 3 Assistant Guides, 2 Cooks and 30 Porters

How to give tips to the crew?

The best way would be to collect the tips from the whole group, and then divide it amongst the whole crew. Tips can be placed in individual envelopes and the climbers can hand them directly to each crew member. You can also prepare separate envelopes. One for the guide, assistant guides and cooks etc. You can hand this envelope to the lead guide.

If you need help or are unsure of anything please send an email to mail@AkkeRahman.com, recommendation of equipment can be provided if you’re unsure.

Here are some pictures from a 2020 trek.