The Marangu Route is perhaps the easiest, shortest and most comfortable route to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. The route is well developed and the climb is constant and moderate making it more accessible than other routes. Only the approach to the summit is more demanding, albeit shorter than the other routes. Marangu Route is the itinerary that allows you to see animals along the way, as well as waterfalls and rich flora with fruit trees, ferns and much more.

Our standard Marangu Route itinerary is 5 days and 4 nights. However, most of our departures being private, we are very flexible and can adapt the itinerary to your endurance by making it one day longer for your comfort.

Marangu Route is 20 kilometres long and you will walk approximately 6 hours per day, except on the second to last day where you will continue for 10 hours. The difference in altitude goes from + 720 meters to + 1020 meters per day.

It should be noted that the ascent trail is exactly the same as the descent trail. This means that the scenery does not change much on the way down as compared to other routes. It also means that the route can get very crowded in the peak season as the climbers going up and those going down cross paths.

Accommodation

Marangu Route is the only route that offers accommodation in simple mountain huts, which is an advantage when comparing to the camping routes where there is less comfort. You will sleep in dormitories containing 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. Your meals will be served in communal dining halls and you will also have access to basic washrooms and toilets.  

Itinerary

DAY 1

Transfer from Moshi to Marangu Gate / Climb to Mandara Hut (2700 m)

Early morning transfer from your hotel in Moshi Town to the Kilimanjaro National Park entrance which passes through the village of Marangu, located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once at the park entrance, all hikers will be asked to register at the park office and make final preparations for the climb. Our guides will give you a briefing before departure and will always be available to answer any questions you may have. We will then leave the park gate and and begin our journey on a trail that crosses the rainforest in direction of Mandara Hut. This hut is located in a clearing in the forest and is your first stop for the night. 

DAY 2

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3720m)

From Mandara Hut, the trail passes through a short section of forest, then skirts the base of Maundi Crater and then transitions from rainforest to moorland. It is worth taking a short detour to climb the rim of Maundi Crater to get your first good view of Kibo Crater. On a clear day, the majestic glacier of Kibo will sparkle in the morning sun. Once you are on open moorland, you will see some of Kilimanjaro's most spectacular plants such as the endemic giant lobelia, which grows up to 3m high, and the giant ragwort, which can grow up to 5m high. After a trek of about 6 hours, we will reach Horombo Hut, where we will have access to hot water to wash ourselves before a meal and a good night's rest.

DAY 3

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4700 m)

After breakfast, we will start our ascent to Kibo Hut. The ascent becomes more and more difficult as the oxygen at these altitudes starts to become more and more scarce. We will have a choice between two different paths to the "Saddle", located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. We typically like to choose the lower path, which is much easier and has the advantage of taking us to the last waterhole. It is advisable to stock up on water here, as the next waterhole will be at Horombo Hut when we return there on our descent the following night. It will take us between 5 and 7 hours to reach Kibo Hut where we will rest and have dinner. This is an arid area with extreme conditions where the night-time temperatures can sometimes drop below zero. The Kibo hut is a large stone house that can comfortably accommodate 60 hikers in bunk beds - remember that there is no water in this hut. Spend some time this afternoon preparing your gear as we will be making our final ascent tonight - you will need your walking sticks and thermal clothing. Also make sure your headlamp and camera batteries are in good condition and make sure you have spare batteries. Carry your water in a thermal flask, otherwise it will freeze during the climb.

DAY 4

Kibo Hut to the summit (5895 m) then down to Horombo Hut (3720 m)

You wake up at around midnight and after a quick breakfast, you will head out into the dark and cold night. This is where the climb gets really difficult... We will set off on a rocky path to Hans Meyer Cave at 5150 meters – we will rest here for a short while before continuing our climb to Gillman's point at 5680 meters. This is probably the most challenging section of the entire route as it is very steep and rocky - take it slow and careful. From Gillman's Point onwards, it’s more than likely that we will be walking in the snow for the following 2 hours, until we finally reach Uhuru Point at 5895 meters.

Once you have reached the summit, the cold and fatigue will set in quickly and you may find it difficult to get moving again. So take a little time to enjoy your victory, take in the view and don’t forget to take some pictures! After this short stop, we will start our descent towards Kibo Hut which will take around 3 hours. After a short stop for a well-deserved breakfast, we will start the second part of our descent to Horombo Hut arriving in the afternoon after 3 additional hours of walking. Here we will have a hot lunch and spend the rest of the evening and night getting our strength back for the last leg of our journey.

DAY 5

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate then transfer to your hotel

After breakfast, we will continue our descent passing by Mandara Hut once again and then onwards to Marangu Gate. This will take approximately six hours. Once at Marangu Gate you will sign the register to mark the end of your adventure; and to make your achievement official, you will receive a certificate. You will then be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi.

Included in package

• Professional English-speaking mountain guides
• Team of porters to carry your luggage and other supplies for the group
• All park fees
• Rescue fees
• All camping equipment
• All meals prepared by an experienced cook
• Government taxes, VAT and all related service charges
• Emergency oxygen
• Transport from hotel to park gate on Day 1 and return to hotel on Day 5
• Pick-up at the airport the day before the start of your trek

   Not included in package

• Flights
• Visa for entry into Tanzania
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses (laundry, telephone, beverages or any other items of a personal nature)
• Your personal clothing, footwear and climbing gear (warm clothing and other mountain gear can be rented in Moshi the day before your departure)
• Additional nights requested by traveller for acclimatisation purposes
• Tips for your climbing crew - Suggested amount: Guide: $25/day, Assistant Guide: $15/day, Cook: $15/day, Porters $10/day