Why Choose The Marangu Route?

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.

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.

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

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

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

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

Hormobo 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

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

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

 

Arrival Departure
February 3rd February 10th
February 26th March 5th
March 21st March 28th
June 25th July 2nd
July 24th July 31st
August 23rd August 30th
September 21st September 28th
October 21st October 28th
November 4th November 11th
November 19th November 26th
December 4th December 11th
December 19th December 26th
December 27th January 3rd

Trek Highlights

Throughout your journey you will Witness incredible natural landscapes from lush forests to towering peaks, and if you’re lucky, catch a glimpse of diverse wild animals, including majestic elephants, in their natural habitat.

What’s Included In The Price

We take a lot of pride in the value for money we provide to each and every client. Below are the prices for this adventure with per-person prices based on how many people are looking book. Our prices prioritize your health, safety and experience along your journey.

  • Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi
  • Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park
  • Accommodation at 3* hotel in Moshi (WeruWeru Lodge) one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay – friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool
  • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4-season North Face VE-25 tents)
  • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike
  • All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energy-rich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost
  • All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water)
  • Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
  • 4-inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats
  • All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery)
  • If you choose extra comfort package you additionally will have walk-in tents, sleeping cots, hot water bottles for the night as well as portable toilets included
  • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters • GPS-tracking service
  • Complete medical kits including Diamox.
  • Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience
  • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.)
  • 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Popote Africa is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
  • International flights
  • Tips (250-300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew)
  • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others)
  • Personal gear rentals, lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb)
  • Portable toilets (if required – 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people)
  • Mountaineering insurance (special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers high-altitude trekking up to 6000m)

About Our Accommodation and Facilities

After an invigorating hike through breath-taking landscapes, you’ll arrive at our fully equipped camps. Rest assured, these aren’t just empty spaces; our camps are meticulously prepared with all the food, water, and necessities you’ll need to refuel and recharge. From delicious, freshly prepared meals to ample supplies of purified drinking water, we’ve taken care of every detail, ensuring your comfort and well-being are paramount as you move along your adventure.

About Our Expert Team

It goes without saying that we treat our porters, cooks, and guides with the utmost respect and fairness. This is not just a policy, but an unbiased evaluation of our unwavering commitment to the fair treatment of our dedicated crew members.

How We Keep You Safe On The Mountain

We prioritize your wellbeing throughout your journey. We provide frequent health checks, fresh food, drinks and security to ensure that your adventure is the best it can be.

Physical Preparation & Packing

We strive to ensure you health & safety during your adventure, the best way to do that is to prepare yourself before you begin. Your journey will be challenging, so make sure that you are in tip top condition, Below are a few exercises we recommend.

  • Cardiovascular Fitness: Engage in aerobic activities such as hiking, jogging, cycling, or swimming. Aim for at least 30-60 minutes of exercise, 4-5 times a week.
  • Strength Training: Focus on building leg muscles through squats, lunges, and stair climbing. Core and upper body strength are also important.
  • Hiking Practice: Go on hikes with a weighted backpack to simulate what you will experience on Kilimanjaro.

You can find more information on our Treq FAQs page by pressing the button below.

What Our Customers Say

Hear what our trekkers have to say about their incredible journey!

András M

I had a truly amazing experience with Altezza Travel. Everything was perfectly organized, and I always felt I could rely on the team throughout the entire hike. When my checked luggage was delayed, they generously lent me some hiking gear free of charge and even brought my belongings up to the mountain later. Their support and professionalism made the whole trip smooth and enjoyable. Highly recommended!

Josef V

The journey to the summit, for me and my seven teammates, will undoubtedly remain one of the greatest experiences of our lives. More than physically demanding, the climb is mentally challenging—but even there, the strength of our guiding team and the bond within our group made all the difference.

Joe M

What an amazing trip. The support, guidance and encouragement throughout were awesome. The food was fantastic, and the team well supported my vegetarian needs. The summit day is tiring but the views are exhilarating. I would have no hesitation in recommending this trip for anyone wishing to climb Kilimanjaro. For me it was the experience of a lifetime, and the tough times were more than balanced by the enthusiasm and push by the support team

Frequently Asked Questions

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.
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.

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%!

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.

Have a Question About Our Kilimanjaro Climbs?

Planning your Kilimanjaro climb? Get the answers you need about difficulty, acclimatization, and what’s included in our trekking packages.