8 Days Marangu Route Kilimanjaro

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The Marangu Route is the oldest on Kilimanjaro and is also one of the most popular, mainly because it is the only route…

Trip Type

Hiking
Activities

Trekking
Group Size

No size limit - No size limit
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Locations

Mountain Kilimanjaro
Trip Duration

N/A

Trip Enquiry

Keywords kilimanajro , kilimanjaro , trekking

Trip code WT-CODE 199

The Marangu Route is the oldest on Kilimanjaro and is also one of the most popular, mainly because it is the only route on the mountain that has huts provided for hikers. There are 60 bunk beds, each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut. You will trek 6 full days on this route. The Marangu route can be completed in 5 days; however, it is recommended that climbers take an extra day to acclimatize at Horombo Hut.

You'll be collected from the airport.
Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival in Arusha

Upon arrival at the airport (Kilimanjaro international airport-JRO or Arusha airport-ARK), you will be met by your personal driver-guide or representative who will drive you to your accommodation in Arusha for an overnight stay, where you will be waiting for your adventures to start on the following day.

Day 2

Arusha – Marangu Gate (1860m) – Mandara Hut (2700m) – 4-6 hrs. hike

Early in the morning, we drive for about 3 hours to the Marangu Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park (1,840 m). While our guide is busy with the registration forms, we can watch our mountain team/crew prepare for the ascent and pack their bags. As soon as the registration is done and the team is prepared, our Kilimanjaro adventure through the dense rainforest begins. We may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the black and white colobus monkeys foraging in the lush vegetation. After about 4 hours of an easy hike through the magnificent rainforest, we reach the beautifully situated Mandara Hut. After a well-deserved break, our guide takes us to the Maundi crater, where we can enjoy a magnificent view of the Kenyan interior. Overnight in Mandara Hut.
• Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
• Trekking time: 4-6 hours
• Zone: Rainforest

Day 3

Mandara Hut (2700 m) to Horombo Hut (3700 m) – approx. 6 hrs

The day begins with an early breakfast and shortly after leaving the Mandara Hut, we reach the tree line where the vegetation turns into heather bushes. We hike through a beautiful moor landscape through the hills with special flora until after about 6 hours the Horombo Hut comes into view at an altitude of about 3,700 m. From the huts, we have a fantastic view of the Mawenzi, the second-highest peak in the Kilimanjaro massif, of the Kibo peak, and the wide plains below us. Kilimanjaro consists of three extinct conical volcanoes, Kibo (5,895 m), Mawenzi (5,148 m), and Shira (3,962 m). Overnight in Horombo Hut.
• Distance: ~12km / 7 miles
• Trekking time: 6-8 hours
• Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone.

Day 4

Acclimatization day – The Zebra Rocks (3980 m) & back to the Horombo Hut (3700 m) – approx 4 hrs

The purpose of an acclimatization day is to get our bodies used to high altitudes. We highly recommend it as it will assist with acclimatization. After a relaxed breakfast, we go on a 2 to 4-hour hike to the 3,980 m high zebra rocks. The distinctive black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. A warm lunch awaits us on our return to the Horombo Hut. In the afternoon we can relax and recharge our batteries for the next day’s hike. Overnight in Horombo Hut.

Day 5

Horombo Hut (3700 m) to Kibo Hut (4700 m) – approx 6 hrs

Today’s stage is long and demanding, although there are no steep climbs. You will clearly feel the height and thus the thinning air. We will have the Mawenzi and Kibo summits in view almost the whole long way. This almost vegetation-free plateau connects the summit of the Kibo with the Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut and should be reached in about 5 to 6 hours. After an invigorating lunch, we can relax a little, have dinner around 5:00 p.m. and go to sleep around 7:00 p.m. The ascent to the summit starts at midnight, so it is important that we recover well beforehand. Because the ascent to the summit is a little longer from this route, it is very important that we eat and drink enough and recharge our batteries for the long day on the summit. Remember to have at least 3 liters of warm drinking water prepared by the crew. Overnight at Kibo Hut.
• Distance: ~10km / 6 miles
• Trekking time: 5-7 hours
• Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone.

Day 6

Kibo Hut (4700 m) to Uhuru Summit (5895 m) back to Horombo Hut (3700 m) – 12 to 14 hours

Today is the “big day” of the summit stage. After a hot tea and light breakfast, we start at midnight when the lava ash is still frozen and easy to walk. We start the ascent to the summit, with our headlamp. At sunrise, we reach Gilman’s Point (5715 m) on the crater rim. You have to expect strong winds on the ascent. After about an hour we reach Stella Point (5756 m). Another 1 to 2 hours ascent along the crater ridge leads us to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Here we see Kilimanjaro in all its glory and enjoy the 360 ° view over the landscape at sunrise. We are now on the “roof of Africa”. At lunchtime, we arrive at the Kibo-Hut. After a warm meal and a break of about 1 hour, we make our way back to the Horombo Hut (3,700 m). Overnight in the Horombo Hut.
• Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 8-mile descent
• Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut
• Zone: Glacial zone, high alpine zone, and low alpine zone.

Day 7

Horombo Hut (3700 m) to Mandara Hut (2700 m) – drive to Arusha – approx 6 hrs hike and 3 hrs drive

The last stage leads through the heather and moor zone to the Mandara Hut (2,700 m), where our last lunch awaits us on the mountain. Day six from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate is nearly 20km but usually only takes 7 hours to complete.
At Marangu Gate, you will be presented with your certificate, either for Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you managed to get).
You will then be driven back to your hotel where celebrations can begin