8 Days Marangu Route
8 Days Marangu route is the easiest route to trek up mount Kilimanjaro’s summit – KIBO. The Marangu route is the only route with comfortable beds at each camp. The Marangu route is well-developed since the route offers accommodation in huts and the climb is constant and moderate.
The summit approach is sightly difficult compared to other Kilimanjaro trekking routes as it needs commitment. The accommodation on marangu route is in simple mountain huts, which might be an advantage compared to the camping routes.
Highlights
Day 1-8
- Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi
- Day 2: Trekking Marangu Gate 1,860 meter Mandara hut 2,700 meter
- Day 3: Trekking Mandara Hut 2,700 meter to Horombo Hut 3,700 meter
- Day 4: A day at leisure at Horombo Hut 3,700 meter or optional hike to Zebra Rocks 3,980 meter.
- Day 5: Trekking Horombo Hut 3,700 meter to Kibo Hut 4,700 meter.
- Day 6: Trekking Kibo Hut 4,700 meter to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meter to Horombo Hut 3,700 meter
- Day 7: Trekking Horombo Hut 3,700 meter to Marangu Gate 1,860 meter to Moshi
- Day 8: Departure from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport.
Day 1: Arrival in Tanzania – drive to Moshi.
You will be met on time of your arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport by our transferring drive who will you will welcome and escort you to the waiting vehicle then drive to Key’s Hotel in Moshi for the rest of the day your trek will start the next day morning. The rest of the day will be spent at the pool relaxing at the hotel or explore the town of Moshi. Your mountain guide will meet you in the evening for briefing on the next morning trek.
Accommodation: Key’s Hotel.
Meal Plan: none.
Day 2: Trekking Marangu Gate 1,860 meter Mandara hut 2,700 meter.
After breakfast at the hotel you will be taken to Marangu Kilimanjaro National Park gate 1,840 meter. Once the necessary paper work has been obtained, your trek will begin and you will soon be trekking through the dense rainforest. You might be lucky to catch a glimpse of the thumbless black and white colobus monkeys scrambling through the lush vegetation.
Approximately 4 hours later, you will reach your first day’s camp on the mountain for the rest of the day, the Mandara Hut. After a well-deserved rest, your guide will take you to the Maundi Crater where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Kenyan interior.
- Distance: 8.3 Kilometers (5.2 Miles)
- Habitat: Montane forest, heather, and moorland
- Elevation: 1,860m/6,102ft at Marangu Gate to 2,700m/8,858ft at Mandara hut
- Difficulty: Moderate difficulty
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 3 – 4 hours
- Accommodation: Mandara Hut
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 3: Trekking Mandara Hut 2,700 meter to Horombo Hut 3,700 meter.
The day starts with an early breakfast and shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the tree line where vegetation changes to shrubs. Just about 4 to 6 hours later, the Horombo Hut will come into sight at an altitude of about 3,720 meter. From the hut you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo peak and the Masai steppe.
- Distance: 12 kilometers (7.5 miles)
- Habitat: Heathland
- Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12140ft
- Difficulty: Moderate to challenging
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 5-6 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 4: A day at leisure at Horombo Hut 3,700 meter or optional hike to Zebra Rocks 3,980 meter.
Today’s purpose is getting your body to acclimatise to the altitude at Horombo hut. Acclimatisation should not be underestimated as it greatly improves your chances of reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, you may opt to set off on a 2 to 4 hour trek to Zebra Rocks 3,980 meter.
The unique black and white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a cooked lunch will be waiting for you. You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day.
- Distance: If you decide to go for the optional hike to Zebra Rocks, it’s approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles)
- Habitat: Alpine desert and rocky terrain
- Elevation: 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) to 3,980 meters (13,058 feet).
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Hiking/Climbing Time: The hike to Zebra Rocks takes 2-4 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 5: Trekking Horombo Hut 3,700 meter to Kibo Hut 4,700 meter.
Today’s hiking is long and tough. The trail passes the “last water point” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly plant less plateau links the summit of Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is Kibo Hut and it may be reached in about 5 to 6 hours. Tonight is an early night to get enough rest, since you will be woken up at approximately 23:00 hours.
- Distance: 9 kilometers (5.5 miles)
- Habitat: Alpine desert and rocky terrain
- Elevation: 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) to 4,700 meters (15,420 feet)
- Difficulty: Challenging
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 5 – 6 hours
- Accommodation: Kibo Hut.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 6: Trekking Kibo Hut 4,700 meter to Uhuru Peak 5,895 meter to Horombo Hut 3,700 meter.
Today is the “big day” – the summit stage. You will start in the middle of the night when the lava ash is still frozen and walking on it is easier. You will start the long and strenuous trek to the summit in the dark. Passing the Hans Meyer cave at 5,200 meter, the hike slowly but surely goes upwards.
At sunrise, you will reach Gilman’s Point 5,715 meter on the crater rim. Soon you will have forgotten the cold of the night and after another 1 to 2 hours; you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meter. Now you are standing on the “Roof of Africa”.
The descent follows the same path and the lava ash will now have melted encouraging a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can rest a while to regain your strength. After 1 to 2 hours break, you will be on your way down to the Horombo Hut 3,700 meter where you will arrive in the afternoon. After an evening meal, it is early to bed for most.
- Distance: 21 kilometers (13 miles) – 6km up and 15km down
- Habitat: Alpine desert and snow/ice-covered summit
- Elevation: From 4,700 meters (15,420 feet) at Kibo Hut to 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) at Uhuru Peak, then down to 3,700 meters (12,139 feet) at Horombo Hut
- Difficulty: Very challenging, due to high altitude and steep terrain
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 12-15 hours
- Accommodation: Horombo Hut.
- Meal Plan: Full Board.
Day 7: Trekking Horombo Hut 3,700 meter to Marangu Gate 1,860 meter to Moshi.
The last stage passes through the heather and moor zone to the Mandara Hut 2,700 meter where a cooked lunch awaits you. Soon you will again be in the lush tropical rainforest and after about 6 hours of trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park gate 1,860 meter.
After saying goodbye to your mountain crew, you will be transferred to Key’s Hotel in Moshi, and after a warm shower, the rest of the day is free to rest, relax at the pool, or celebrate your achievement.
- Distance: 20 kilometers (12.5 miles)
- Habitat: Alpine desert, moorland, and rainforest
- Elevation: 3700m/12,139ft to 1860m/6100ft
- Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
- Hiking/Climbing Time: 7-9 hours
- Accommodation: Key’s Hotel
- Meal Plan: Breakfast and Lunch.
Day 8: Departure from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport.
After breakfast, you will be transferred on time to Kilimanjaro Airport or alternatively you can extend your trip in Tanzania and go on safari or Zanzibar.
Accommodation: none.
Meal Plan: Breakfast.
Included
- 2 Nights accommodation before climbing
- Professional, experienced, mountain guides
- All Park fees & Rescue fees
- All meals while on the Mountain
- Arrival and Departure transfers
- Guides’, Porters’, cook’s allowances
- Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
- Clean, purified drinking water
- Crisis management and safety procedures
- Fair and ethical treatment of porters
- Sleeping Mattress
Not Included
- Tanzania Visa ($50 per person on arrival )
- Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)
- Meals not listed above
- Tips and any items of personal nature
- Optional Tours (short safari after your climb)
2023 & 2024 prices
| NO. of PAX in one group | 1 PAX | 2 PAX | 3 PAX | 4 PAX | 5 PAX | 6 PAX |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price pr. person | $1,076 | $629 | $448 | $413 | $373 | $347 |
Starting price per adult*
$3000
MORE SAFARI OPTIONS
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