5 Days Marangu Route

Overview

The Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations. The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Klimanjaro using the Marangu route.

However, despite its immense popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for that reason. Marangu is favored only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro (which we do not recommend anyhow). Otherwise, the Marangu route is a poor choice.

Area to Visit

Mandara Hut, Horombo Hut, Kibo Hut and Uhuru Peak

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Moshi – Marangu gate– Mandara Hut

After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Marangu village and proceed to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (45 minutes), register at Kilimanjaro National Park Authority offices and commence the climb.

Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara hut located at 9,000 ft / 2,740 m. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the atmosphere of the Northern part of Tanzania

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight : Mandara camp

Day 2: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut

In the morning around 8:30 am after breakfast starting trekking to Horombo hut. After about 1 hour, you will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo hut. The view of Kibo summit and Mawenzi are both stunning and shinning in clear days. In most cases giant lobelias and groundsels are found on your way.

Horombo hut is a point where most of the climbers uses it for acclimatization whereby they spend an extra day. Spending an extra day give a wide change for successful summit the roof of Africa, remember extra is available on request.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight: Horombo Hut

Day 3: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut

In the morning after breakfast the trek will take us to the last water point walking Into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heartland but then disappears into desert like structure.

At Kibo you will have your dinner and followed by a nap and then at the middle of the night around 23:30 hour prepares yourself for summit climb.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight : Kibo Hut

Day 4: Kibo Hut – Summit and down to Horombo

Very early in the morning you will be awaken by your guide for a cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate with some snakes. After a warm up start to the summit of Africa, The trek will take you to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim at 18,640 ft / 5,861 m (4-7 hours). Continuing you now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa: 19,340 ft / 5,895 m (1-2 hours).

You will need a flash light, camera, sun glass as well as warm clothes as it gets too cold. While at the summit you will take your pictures and thereafter start descending down to Kibo hut for breakfast and a rest before proceeding to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.

Meal plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Overnight : Horombo Hut

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Mandara Hut – Marangu gate

Horombo Hut 3700m – Mandara Hut 2,740m – Marangu gate 1700m – 12,100ft to 5,500ft After breakfast a steady descent takes us down through moorland to Mandara Hut (2,700m / 8,858 ft), the first stopping place of the Marangu route.

Continue descending through lovely lush forest on a good path to the National Park gate at Marangu (1,830 m / 6,004 ft). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu village to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha.

Kilimanjaro Trekking Route