Climb Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route
5-6 days + 2 nights hotel | From $1,425
Marangu trail is the oldest and most well established trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It remains extremely popular mainly because it is the only route on the mountain that has hut accommodation for trekkers.
What you can expect on the Marangu Route
SLEEPING HUTS
Marangu route does not require overnight camping. It is the only route on Kilimanjaro with permanent hut accommodation.
EASIEST ROUTE
The gradual ascent, hut accommodation and a day's acclimatization in the middle of the 6-day Marangu route contribute to make it one of the easiest trails to climb Kilimanjaro.
CHEAPEST ROUTE
The dormitory style hut accommodation on Marangu route means there are fewer porters to hire to carry camping equipment. This along with the short route length makes Marangu the cheapest among all routes.
HIGHLY CROWDED
Being one of the easiest, shortest and cheapest routes on Kilimanjaro makes a lot of people, especially younger folk gravitate to the Marangu route. It is the busiest trail on Kilimanjaro.
LESS SCENIC
Because the ascent and descent are done on the same route, the Marangu trail has comparatively much less scenic variety as the other routes.
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About Marangu ROUTE
If you like the comfort of huts on the trail, then this is the only option on Kilimanjaro with permanent hut accommodation. The 6-day version is said to be relatively the easiest trail to climb Kili. It is also the cheapest and the most crowded route with the least scenic variety because the ascent and descent are done on the same path. Over crowding on Marangu trail is partly caused by this reason.
Marangu Route Itinerary
The itinerary below describes the 5 nights/6 day Kilimanjaro climb via the Marangu route. To shorten the below itinerary to 5 days you skip the acclimatization day on day three at Horombo Hut.
Day 0
Arrival in Tanzania
You will be picked up at the Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your arranged hotel in Moshi town. You will meet your guide who will brief you on your upcoming trek and do an equipment check to make sure you have all the necessary mountain gear. Gear which is missing can be rented on this day.
- Driving distance: 55 km
- Driving Time: 1 hour
Day 1
MARANGU GATE – MANDARA HUT
After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to the Marangu gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek can begin, and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of some primates as you head to the Mandara Hut. After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy the wonderful view of the Kenyan interior.
- Distance: 12km/8miles,
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
- Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,811 ft
- Habitat: Heath
Day 2
MANDARA HUT – HOROMBO HUT
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
- Distance: 5km/3miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 2
MANDARA HUT – HOROMBO HUT
The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4 – 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700m. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.
- Distance: 5km/3miles
- Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
- Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 3
HOROMBO HUT – ZEBRA ROCK – HOROMBO HUT
Today serves as an acclimatization day. This should not be underestimated and greatly improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, a 4-hour trek follows to the Zebra Rocks (4020m). The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day.
- Distance: 2km/1miles
- Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
- Elevation: 14,160 ft to 14,400 ft
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 4
HOROMBO HUT – KIBO CAMP
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
- Distance: 8km/5miles
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Elevation: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
- Vegetation: Alpine Desert
Day 5
KIBO CAMP – UHURU PEAK – HOROMBO CAMP
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.
- Distance: 6km/4miles and 16km/10miles
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours & 4-5 hours
- Elevation:15,430 ft to 19,341 to 12,250 ft
- Habitat: Arctic and Heath
Day 4
HOROMBO HUT – KIBO CAMP
Today’s stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the “Last Water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut that is usually reached in about 5 – 6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.
- Distance: 8km/5miles
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Elevation: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Day 5
KIBO CAMP – UHURU PEAK – HOROMBO CAMP
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.
- Distance: 6km/4miles and 16km/10miles
- Hiking Time: 6-8 hours & 4-5 hours
- Elevation: 15,430 ft to 19,341 to 12,250 ft
- Habitat: Arctic and Heath
Day 6
HOROMBO CAMP – MARANGU GATE
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.
- Distance: 20km/12miles
- Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
- Elevation: 12,205 ft to 6,046
- Habitat: Rain Forest
Marangu Route Prices
We do no compromise on safety and quality, so our prices are not the cheapest. However, they are also not unreasonably high like some other companies. We take a lot of pride in the value for money we provide to each and every client. The per person prices below are based on how many people are booking the trek together.
7-DAY ROUTE PRICE
1 person – $2,080
2-5 persons – $1,830
6-10 persons – $1,780
11+ persons – $1,730
5-DAY ROUTE PRICE
1 person – $1,735
2-5 persons – $1,525
6-10 persons – $1,475
11+ persons – $1,425
FAQs for Marangu Route
HOW DIFFICULT IS THE MARANGU ROUTE?
Marangu Route is also the only route that offers hut accommodation, which can provide some comfort for climbers. Hence the 6-day route is said to be somewhat easier. But the 5-day hike is very difficult because there is no time for the body to acclimatize. Do note that good fitness levels are still necessary for this trek.
HOW LONG IS THE MARANGU ROUTE?
The exact distance on the Marangu trail is 82km or 50 miles. We recommend chosing 6 days over 5 days to do this route. The average daily altitude gain is about 1000m as compared to only 700m on 7-day Machame and 500m on the 8-day Lemosho routes.
WHAT IS MARANGU ROUTE'S SUMMIT SUCCESS RATE?
As it is one of the shortest routes on the mountain, the Marangu Route has the lowest summit success rates. This is mainly because of the unprofessional local tour guides who take groups up the mountain on the shorter (and cheaper) 5-day hike. Because of this, the 5-day average success rate is 50%! We advise our hikers with this in mind, so we only take the 6-day option which increases the success rate to over 90%!
HOW IS THE SCENERY ON THE MARANGU ROUTE?
The Marangu route ascends through the rainforest, moorlands, and alpine areas before ending in the glacial zone. This trek is very beautiful and is the only route that allows you to descend the same way you ascended.
