Marangu Route
Marangu Route is perhaps the easiest and most convenient way to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. The path is generally well developed and the climb is constant and moderate greatly ncreasing your chances of success. Only the approach to the peak is slightly more demanding, but still affordable for everyone.
Moreover, this itinerary includes overnight stays in hut accommodations and this is one of the main difference compared to the other routes.
Many hikers believe that the Marangu Route is the easiest path to reach Uhuru Peak, since it is the only route that can last 5 days (making it also the cheapest option). Unfortunately this option has one of the lowest success rates.
For this reason we strongly recommend to climb the Marangu Route to the top in at least 6 days, in order to increase your chances of reaching the top successfully.
For any further information, please check our guide.
Marangu Route: Day by day program
Day 1 – Pick up at Kilimanjaro
Upon your arrival at Kilimanjaro airport, one of our guides will welcome you and bring you to the Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel in Moshi. The rest of the day is free time till the evening when you will attend the trekking briefing during which the guide will control your equipment and give you all the necessary information to undertake this incredible adventure.
Day 2 – Moshi – Marangu Gate (1,860 m) – Mandara hut (2,700 m)
Hiking time: 3-4 hours.
In the morning you will leave for the Marangu gate. After having completed the administrative formalities, you will start walking through the dense rainforest, where, with a bit of luck, you will be able to admire the colobus monkeys that climb through the lush vegetation. Few hours later, you will reach Mandara Hut, a camp with a capacity of 60 people and organized in huts for 6/8 people. After a well-deserved rest, the guide will lead you to the Maundi crater, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view towards Kenya.
Day 3 – Mandara Hut (2,700 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m)
Hiking time: 6-7 hours.
Shortly after leaving the refuge, you will reach firstly the edge of the wood, where the vegetation turns into shrubs, then, 5-6 hours later, the Horombo Hut. From the hut you can enjoy a fantastic viewpoint over Mawenzi, the top of Kibo and the Masai steppe.
Day 4 (optional day) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Zebra Rocks (4,020 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m)
Hiking time: 4-5 hours.
This is a day dedicated to acclimatization in order to significantly increase the chances of reaching the top. After breakfast, you will set off on a trek to Zebra Rocks. The distinctive black and white stripes give the name to the rock formation. Lunch at the hut and relax in the afternoon in order to recover energy and be in good shape for the excursion of the following day.
Day 5 – Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Kibo Hut (4,700 m)
Hiking time: 6-7 hours.
This leg is considered one of the most demanding, in terms of distance and degree of difficulty. The path crosses the “last floating point”, followed by the so-called “saddle”. This plateau, almost without plants, connects the top of the Kibo with Mawenzi. Today the destination is Kibo Hut and will be reached in about 5-6 hours.
You will have to go to rest early as the wake up is scheduled at around 11 p.m. in order to have the necessary time to reach the intended destination the next day
Day 6 – Kibo Hut (4,700 m) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) – Horombo Hut (3,700 m)
Hiking time: 12-14 hours.
Today is the Big Day. The starting time is really in the middle of the night when the lava ash is still frozen and it is easier to walk. Passing first through the Hans Meyer cave (5,220 m), and climbing slowly, at dawn, you will reach the Gilman point (5,681 m) on the edge of the crater. After couple of hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak, the “roof of Africa”. The descent follows the same path and the lava ash has now thawed and will allow a rapid descent. In Kibo Hut you will get a hot meal and some rest to recover strength. After the break, you will get to Horombo Hut and this very long and exciting day is ended.
Day 7 – Horombo Hut (3,700 m) – Marangu Gate (1,860 m) – Arusha
Hiking time: 6-7 hours.
The last stage passes through the heath to Mandara Hut where you will have lunch. You will soon be back in the lush tropical rainforest and after about 6-7 hours of trekking, you will reach the gate of the Kilimanjaro National Park. Once got to the park entrance, we will carry on with a private vehicle with final destination the Tulia Boutique Hotel & Spa in Arusha.
Day 8 – Arusha – Kilimanjaro
After breakfast, transfer to Kilimanjaro airport. Alternatively, you can extend your trip with a safari or a relaxing beach holiday.
