The Marangu route approaches the mountain from the west. Your climb takes you through various climatic zones, including rainforest, moorland and high-altitude desert.
The ascent and descent are along the same path. The Marangu route is one of the shortest routes on the mountain but should not be mistaken as the easiest, as you ascend quickly. Your climbing start at Marangu Gate, climb to the summit, and then head back down to Marangu Gate.
6 Days Marangu Route Itinerary
Arrival
Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met and transferred for overnight accommodation. Your head guide will meet you for your briefing, gear check and arrange for you to hire any equipment you may need.
Kilimanjaro National Park Gate To Mandara Hut
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.
- Elevation: 6100ft to 1680m/ 8875ft
- Distance: 8 km
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Accommodation: Mandara Hut
- Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Montane Forest
Mandara Hut To Horombo Hut
You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.
- Elevation: 8875ft to 12,200ft
- Distance: 12 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Heathland
Horombo Hut To Kibo Hut
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
- Elevation: 12,200ft to 12,200ft
- Distance: 9 km
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Accommodation: Kibo Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Kibo Hut To Summit Then Horombo Hut
Very early in the morning, commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires 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 with many switchbacks. Going slowly “pole pole” and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
- Elevation: 15,500ft to 19,340ft, Down to 12,200ft
- Distance: 6-4 km up, 15-9 Km Down
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Horombo Hut To Moshi
After a long sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed your triumphant recessional down through lush forest to Marangu park gate. After the gate sign out, a vehicle will take you to back to the hotel where it is definitely time for your certificate presentation and celebration!
- Elevation: 12,200ft to 5500ft
- Distance: 20 km up
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Accommodation: Hotel
- Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Departure
After a much-needed night’s rest we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you from the hotel for your onward journey.