Embark on a 6-day adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the iconic Marangu Route. Experience the gradual slope, sleeping huts, and stunning views on this classic trek.
Marangu Gate To Mandara Hut
Mount Kilimanjaro - After breakfast and a briefing from your guide, leave Moshi at 8 AM, drive for 45 minutes to the Marangu Gate on the eastern side of Kilimanjaro, register with the national park, and begin hiking at 10:30 AM. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colubus monkeys.
At these lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy, so gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts should be sufficient, but keep your rain gear and warmer clothing handy. Stop halfway for lunch, and reach the Mandara Huts at 2 or 3 PM. Unpack, rest, and have some tea or coffee. A 15 minute side trip to Maundy Crater is a good way to see the surroundings
Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut
Mount Kilimanjaro - Wake at 7:30 am breakfast, and pack for your next trek. Break camp by 8:30 AM, hike for an hour through rainforest glades, and then follow an ascending path through heath land where you can look for giant lobelias and groundsels. Continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, where you can enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi.
Arrive at the Horombo Huts by 3 PM, where you can see Kibo summit. Rest, unpack, and prepare for dinner. Bathrooms with running water are available. You may start to feel the effects of altitude here, and to aid your acclimatization, you can choose to spend an extra day resting at Horombo or climbing to a base camp below Kibo sub peak Mawenzi.
Acclimatization Trek Zebra Rocks To Horombo Hut
Mount Kilimanjaro - Wake to breakfast as usual, but if you wake early you can get some great photos of the sunrise. The first part of the days hike climbs through the dwindling heath land that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. When you stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours. Be careful to notice any signs of altitude sickness. There is no running water at the Kibo Huts.
Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut
Mount Kilimanjaro - Alpine Desert Wakeup at midnight to a light breakfast, and then prepare for your summit ascent. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly after sunrise.
Be sure to have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends. After your summit stay, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your things, and re cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Eat dinner and get some well-deserved sleep! You do the beginning of this climb in the dark with headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is, by far, the most difficult part of the trek. Slowly - slowly, or, pole pole, and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
Kibo Hut To Uhuru Peak & Down To Horombo Hut
Mount Kilimanjaro - Today is “The Big Day” – the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight which will be long and strenuous. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely goes upwards. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You will have soon forgotten the cold of the night and after a further hike of 1 – 2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895m.
On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you followed by a 1 – 2 hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.
Horombo Hut To Marangu Gate
Mount Kilimanjaro - The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2700m) where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass the tropical rainforest and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can take a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of the Kilimanjaro.
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Marangu Route:
Referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a timeless trekking path on Mount Kilimanjaro. It has a reputation as the oldest and most prominent route. The Marangu route is popular as it is deemed to be the most effortless trail up the mountain, thanks to its gentle slope. It stands out as it is the only route providing dormitory style huts for overnight stays.
For this route, a minimum of five days is recommended, but your chances of reaching the summit within this time frame are not high. It is strongly suggested to have an additional day on the mountain for better acclimatization when attempting the Marangu route on Kilimanjaro.
Regardless of its significant reputation, we suggest not setting out on the Marangu route. The route lacks scenic diversity compared to others, since the climb up and down follows the same path, and it tends to be the most crowded. The Marangu route is only recommended during the rainy season when the convenience of hut accommodations is appreciated.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
