Climbing Kilimanjaro

The Marangu Route

Overview

Kilimanjaro climb – The Marangu Route

The Marangu route is one of three popular climbs we recommend. This route is 7 days and 6 nights long. You can travel solo, in 2’s or in any group size up to a maximum of 16 people. Larger groups may be catered for on request.

Why not enquire about adding a Tanzania safari or beach experience?

Read our Guide for Marangu route to find out more

Hiking Route map

HIGHLIGHTS

World’s tallest free-standing mountain
Private crew of chef, porters and guide
Gentle Slope: The Marangu Route has a gentle slope, making it one of the easiest routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro
Accommodation: The Marangu Route has well-established huts that provide shelter for hikers, making it the only route on the mountain with such amenities. This makes it a popular choice for those who prefer not to camp.
Scenery: The Marangu Route passes through beautiful rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert landscapes, offering spectacular views of the mountain and its surroundings.

WHAT'S INCLUDED

Trained and certified English-speaking guide
Trained and certified porters monitored by KPAP ensuring fair treatment (1 porter per person for personal mountain luggage of 15kg max)
Trained cook / chef and eating utensils
Boiled drinking water on trek
Four season sleeping tent per two sharing
Transfer from Moshi to park gate and back
Park fees and other government fees

WHAT'S EXCLUDED

Drinks
Tips
Water on the first day of trek

Itinerary

Arrival & briefing

DAY
01

Today has no planned activities and is only an arrival day for you to reach your base lodge in Moshi in time for a pre-climb briefing (time to be confirmed) with your mountain guide. Base lodge is not included but optional lodges are available on request.

moshi to marangu gate

DAY
02

This morning, you’ll be transferred by road from Moshi townto the Marangu gate. After registration you trek today through the mountain rain forest zone with your guide. You may encounter some wild animals such as colobus monkey and various bird and plant species on your way to the Mandara hut. After a rest you will trek to the rim of the Maundi Crater with a spectacular view of the Mawenzi peak. Later, you’ll descend back to the Mandara hut to sleep.

into the moorland

DAY
03

Today’s hike is a little longer than the day before and takes you outside the rainforest and into the heather & moorland zoneascending through beautiful landscape. Today starts to feel more like a mountain trek with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi towering in the background on a clear day. Tonight you’ll sleep in the Horombo Hut which will be your base for 2 nights.

Alpine desert

DAY
04

Today is all about acclimatisation. You’ll climb towards the jagged peaks of the Mawenzi cone (Kilimanjaro’s third and generally unclimbed peak) up to the rim of the Mawenzi ridge. The alpine desert landscape here offers stunning views of both the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks before taking you back down into the heather and moorland at the Horombo huts for a second night.

towards the kibo cone

DAY
05

Your hike today takes you directly towards the Kibo cone steadily climbing through the alpine desertwith the landscape changing dramatically as you leave the heather and moorland zone behind and journey on the barren saddle (the dip between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks). You reach Kibo hut in time to rest for your summit attempt tonight.

to the summit

DAY
06

Around midnight, you begin your final ascent to the summit. The trek is a steep hike over loose volcanic scree through the dark and cold night and takes a slow pace in a zig-zag pattern towards Gilman’s Point. From here a short but difficult hike remains to take you past Stella point and further around till Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. After reaching the summit you continue the descent back through the alpine desert and heather and moorland and back to Horombo for the night.

back to moshi

DAY
07

Your final day on Kilimanjaro is a descent through the south-eastern rain forest zone until you reach the Marangu gate where a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to Moshitown. Usually, the crew will leave you at Marangu gate. There is no accommodation included on this day but options are available on request.

Your Journey at a glance

Ideal duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Price: from US $2195
This tour can be fully tailored and extended

Best time to do the climb

Best