6 DAYS
MARANGU ROUTE
6 DAYS
MARANGU ROUTE
6 DAYS
MARANGU ROUTE
About this trek...
Often selected by inexperienced climbers because of its reputation for being the “easiest” route, this is the shortest and most affordable route, but gives less time to acclimatise to high altitudes so therefore has a lower success rate to the summit.
About this trek...
Often selected by inexperienced climbers because of its reputation for being the “easiest” route, this is the shortest and most affordable route, but gives less time to acclimatise to high altitudes so therefore has a lower success rate to the summit.
About this trek...
Often selected by inexperienced climbers because of its reputation for being the “easiest” route, this is the shortest and most affordable route, but gives less time to acclimatise to high altitudes so therefore has a lower success rate to the summit.
Accommodation:
Hut

Type of Safari:
Mountain Trekking

Arrive/Depart:
Kilimanjaro
International Airport
Best Period:
June - October
Accommodation:
Hut
Type of Safari:
Mountain Trekking
Arrive/Depart:
Kilimanjaro
International Airport
Best Period:
June - October
Accommodation:
Hut
Type of Safari:
Mountain Trekking
Arrive/Depart:
Kilimanjaro
International Airport
Best Period:
June - October
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
| Day | Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandara Hut | Hut | BLD | BB: Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | BBLD: Bed & Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| 3 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | D: Dinner |
| 4 | Kibo Hut | Hut | BLD | |
| 5 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | |
| 6 | Moshi | D |
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
| Day | Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandara Hut | Hut | BLD | BB: Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | BBLD: Bed & Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| 3 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | D: Dinner |
| 4 | Kibo Hut | Hut | BLD | |
| 5 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | |
| 6 | Moshi | D |
ITINERARY AT A GLANCE
| Day | Location | Accommodation | Meal Plan | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mandara Hut | Hut | BLD | BB: Bed & Breakfast |
| 2 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | BBLD: Bed & Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| 3 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | D: Dinner |
| 4 | Kibo Hut | Hut | BLD | |
| 5 | Horombo Hut | Hut | BLD | |
| 6 | Moshi | D |
DAY BY DAY
MARANGU GATE (1980M) - MANDARA HUT (2700M)
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 12kms
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, your guide will brief you and check your equipment. The drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office. You now leave the park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate.
MANDARA HUT (2700M) - HOROMBO HUT (3720M))
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater before emerging into moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - ACCLIMATISATION DAY
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - KIBO HUT (4700M)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route and lower route to choose from. The upper route will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m.
(SUMMIT ATTEMPT) KIBO HUT (4700M) - UHURU PEAK (5895M) - HOROMBO HUT (3720M)
Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Move slowly.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - MARANGU GATE (1980M)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 27kms:
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Remember to sign at the gate. Again, the journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!
DAY BY DAY
MARANGU GATE (1980M) - MANDARA HUT (2700M)
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 12kms
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, your guide will brief you and check your equipment. The drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office. You now leave the park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate.
MANDARA HUT (2700M) - HOROMBO HUT (3720M))
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater before emerging into moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - ACCLIMATISATION DAY
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - KIBO HUT (4700M)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route and lower route to choose from. The upper route will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m.
(SUMMIT ATTEMPT) KIBO HUT (4700M) - UHURU PEAK (5895M) - HOROMBO HUT (3720M)
Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Move slowly.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - MARANGU GATE (1980M)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 27kms:
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Remember to sign at the gate. Again, the journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!
DAY BY DAY
MARANGU GATE (1980M) - MANDARA HUT (2700M)
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 12kms
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, your guide will brief you and check your equipment. The drive from Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office. You now leave the park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate.
MANDARA HUT (2700M) - HOROMBO HUT (3720M))
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater before emerging into moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - ACCLIMATISATION DAY
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - KIBO HUT (4700M)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route and lower route to choose from. The upper route will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m.
(SUMMIT ATTEMPT) KIBO HUT (4700M) - UHURU PEAK (5895M) - HOROMBO HUT (3720M)
Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Move slowly.
HOROMBO HUT (3720M) - MARANGU GATE (1980M)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 27kms:
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Remember to sign at the gate. Again, the journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Includes:
- Two nights in a hotel in Arusha or Moshi (before & after climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and VAT
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Dormitory style huts and/or four season, 3-person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
Excludes:
- Airfare/visas
- Travel insurance
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips
WANT SOMETHING TAILORED FOR YOU?
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Includes:
- Two nights in a hotel in Arusha or Moshi (before & after climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and VAT
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Dormitory style huts and/or four season, 3-person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
Excludes:
- Airfare/visas
- Travel insurance
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips
WANT SOMETHING TAILORED FOR YOU?
INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS
Includes:
- Two nights in a hotel in Arusha or Moshi (before & after climb)
- Group transport to and from Moshi to the trail head
- Kilimanjaro National Park permits, camping/hut fees, rescue fees and VAT
- Expert guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Bottled oxygen, for emergency rescue only
- Dormitory style huts and/or four season, 3-person mountain tents, double occupancy
- Sleeping pad, foam, 1.5 inches thick
- Mess tents, tables, chairs, lanterns
- Fresh, nutritious meals on the mountain
- Breakfast at hotel
Excludes:
- Airfare/visas
- Travel insurance
- Lunch or dinner at hotel
- Beverages at hotel
- Personal gear and equipment
- Tips
WANT SOMETHING TAILORED FOR YOU?
ENQUIRE NOW
Contact Us
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