Kilimanjaro marangu route

8 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route in 5 Days

From $1728 USD* / Park fees / 8 days

*Price p.p. incl. transfers, accommodation, food, drinks, guides and park fees. Excl. International flight (based on six persons)

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8 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route in 5 Days

The Marangu route is a popular route and also the cheapest. It is the only route that offers mountain huts instead of tents for the overnight stays. The route leads straight up to the summit and down again via the same route. Altitude changes per day are significant, which is why this route is only suitable for experienced climbers.

The ascent via the Marangu route takes a total of five days. However, it is recommended to add an extra day to give your body time to adjust to the high altitude. If you choose to do so, you can stay an extra night in Horombo huts on the fourth day and make an acclimatization hike. This extra day significantly increases your chances of reaching the summit.

Tanzania Specialist offers a unique service throughout the climb

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate challenge! You will be accompanied by professional guides, porters and a cook during your ascent to Uhuru Peak via the Marangu route. Our crew will take care of you and perform a health check every morning and evening to make sure everything is in order. In addition, the accompanying cook will serve you delicious food during this tour. The quality of the food is at the top of our priority list, as you depend on good food during the strenuous climb. If you would like to have a look at the menu in advance, we will be happy to send it to you.

Our customers experience climbing Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route as an unforgettable experience! As soon as you have confirmed your booking with us, we will send you a comprehensive document to prepare for the trip.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.

  1. It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
  2. Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
  3. Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.

If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us or read our blog How to prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?

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At Tanzania Specialist, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

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Itinerary

  • Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb
  • Day 2: Marangu Route 5 days, day 1: Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,000 ft) - Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft)
  • Day 3: Marangu Route 5 days, day 2: Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)
  • Day 4: Marangu Route 5 days, day 3: Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft) - Kibo Huts (4,700 m/ 15,419 ft)
  • Day 5: Marangu Route 5 days, day 4: Kibo Huts (4,700 m/ 15,419 ft) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/ 19,340 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)
  • Day 6: Marangu Route 5 days, day 5: Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,139 ft) - Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,003 ft) - Hotel
  • Day 7 - 8: Flight home from Kilimanjaro (JRO) after the climb

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro Int. Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Tanzania Specialist guide will be there waiting for you. He will drop you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.
Preparation for your climb: You will meet your guide before the beginning of your climb. He will brief you and give you details, like what to wear, what to put in your backpack and other important tips to make the climb as comfortable as possible for you.

Day 2: Marangu Route 5 days, day 1: Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,000 ft) - Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft)

The first morning, your guide will bring you from the hotel to Marangu Gate. The first part leads you through coffee and banana plantations and then you cross some untouched rainforest. After a seven-hour hike, you reach the Mandara huts. In the afternoon you have the option to go to the Maundi crater, a volcanic crater near the Mandara Huts or you can just rest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. This is your first day at this altitude, remember to drink plenty of water!

Day 3: Marangu Route 5 days, day 2: Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)

From Mandara Huts, the landscape slowly changes from cloud forests to grass plains with some heather and other vegetation. The higher you go, the less vegetation can be seen and the more it starts to look like a lunar landscape. The air is also becoming thinner now. A few hours after lunch you can make an acclimatization hike with an ascent of 200 meters and then return to Horombo Huts for dinner and overnight.

Day 4: Marangu Route 5 days, day 3: Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft) - Kibo Huts (4,700 m/ 15,419 ft)

Today your hike leads through a kind of Alpine desert to a point between the two famous mountain peaks Kibo and Mawenzi. The hike is heavy and takes you through open landscapes with less shelter. You will arrive at Kibo camp for lunch, after which you can relax in preparation for the big day ahead! Remember to rest well and drink plenty of water.

Day 5: Marangu Route 5 days, day 4: Kibo Huts (4,700 m/ 15,419 ft) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/ 19,340 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,204 ft)

In the middle of the night, you start your ascent to Uhuru Peak, with your flashlight. The biggest challenge lies in the first part of this climb until you reach Gilman's Point. From here, Uhuru Peak is not far away, and relatively easy to climb. Once at the summit, enjoy a beautiful sunrise, which is quite impressive at this height! Celebrate at the top, and then you start your descent through the Kibo Huts down to the Horombo huts for dinner and overnight. In total you will be on your feet for about twelve hours today, so prepare yourself for a hard but rewarding day!

Day 6: Marangu Route 5 days, day 5: Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,139 ft) - Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,003 ft) - Hotel

On this final day on the mountain, you descend to Marangu gate, the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park. This is a wonderful five to six-hour walk through the beautiful forests of Kilimanjaro. Your guide then takes you to your hotel, where you get a well-deserved rest.

Day 7 - 8: Flight home from Kilimanjaro (JRO) after the climb

Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It's also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!

Make your dream trip come true with Tanzania Specialist

At Tanzania Specialist, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!

Request this trip now

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  • 100% specialized in Tanzania
  • Skilled travel consultants living in Tanzania
  • World class safari guides
  • Competitive rates
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