Tour overview

The Marangu Route

Duration of climb: 5 6 days 

The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could
partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so,
perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the
summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way, due to
a shorter acclimatisation period.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatisation day
on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of
success. Shared hut accommodation on the Marangu route forms one of the main differences,
compared to the other routes. It offers you the relative luxury of being able to sleep in huts along
the entire route. Mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beers are also sold at all the camps on
this route. All your equipment and supplies are portered and a cook prepares all your meals.

(The main itinerary difference between the Marangu 5 day and 6 day routes is the additional acclimatization day at Horombo Hut)

 

FULL PROGRAM

Day 1
Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara hut (2715m)
Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 8.1 km
Habitat: Montane forest
The drive from Moshi 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 and
make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their
packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that
you have all your daypack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra
clothing) with you, as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers.
Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have.
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. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to
rejoin the main trail either after 1.5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara hut.
Your first night stop, Mandara hut, consisting of a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest
clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of
the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush
toilets behind the main hut. Dinner is prepared by our cook and served in a communal dining mess.

Day 2
Mandara hut (2715m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 11.6 km
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base of the Maundi
Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to 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.
Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most
spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant
groundsel (SeneciaKilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours trek from
here, you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have a hot bowl of washing water, rest; an
evening meal and overnight.

Day 3
Horombo hut (3705m) – 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. You will meet both ascending and
descending hikers here.
This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatisation. A hike towards the
Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is
strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatisation.
Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the
hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.

Day 4
Horombo hut (3705m) – Kibo hut (4730m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 9.6 km
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 (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to
choose from. The upper route (right hand fork) should be very familiar, as you will have climbed
most of it the previous day (on your acclimatisation hike) towards Mawenzi hut. This section is
very stony and eroded.
The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it
also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the
water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time (unless you are willing
to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut). Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water!
Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo hut, a stone build block house which has bunk beds
for 60 climbers, but no streams with water nearby. It is however possible to buy mineral water
and soft drinks at the camp office. There are platform toilets behind the hut.
The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night.
Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid. This should include
the replacement of your headlamp and camera batteries and make sure you have a spare set
available as well. To prevent freezing it will be wise to carry your water in a thermal flask. Go to
bed at round about 19h00 and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 5
Kibo hut (4730m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3705m)
Hiking time: 7 to 8 hours to reach Uhuru Peak, 6 to 8 hours to descend to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 5.4km ascent and 15 km descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h20, 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 (5 681m), 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. Do the Kili shuffle and move slowly.
From Gillmans Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m),
the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather
conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs,
before the 3 hour descent back to Kibo hut. After a short rest you gather all your gear you left
behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo hut (3 hours) for your overnight. The return to
Horombo hut will seem surprisingly fast compared to the ascent. The total time spent walking on
this day is around 14 hours, so be prepared for a very tough day. Later in the evening you enjoy
your last dinner (with soft drinks and beer for sale at the camp office) on the mountain and a
well-earned sleep, filled with memories and stirring emotions.

Day 6
Horombo hut (3705m) – Marangu Gate (1860m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 19.7 km
After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the
Marangu gate. It is strongly recommended not to pay your porters any tips until you and all your
gear have reached the gate safely. Click here for more info on tips. At Marangu gate you sign
your name and details in a register. This is also where successful climbers receive their summit certificates. Those climbers who reached Gillman’s Point (5685m) are issued with green certificates and those who reached Uhuru Peak (5895m), receive gold certificates. You now drive back to Moshi for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!