6 Days | Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route

Marimbo Expeditions offers a unique service throughout the climb:

Climbing Kilimanjaro is the ultimate challenge! You will be accompanied by professional guides, porters and a cook during your ascent to Uhuru Peak via the Marangu route. Our crew will take care of you and perform a health check every morning and evening to make sure everything is in order. In addition, the accompanying cook will serve you delicious food during this tour. The quality of the food is at the top of our priority list, as you depend on good food during the strenuous climb. If you would like to have a look at the menu in advance, we will be happy to send it to you.

Our customers experience climbing Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route as an unforgettable experience! As soon as you have confirmed your booking with us, we will send you a comprehensive document to prepare for the trip.

How fit do you need to be to climb Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route?

Climbing Kilimanjaro is a real challenge due to the altitude, rate of ascent and different temperatures. During an average climbing day you will walk six to seven hours per day. If you are healthy and fit it is absolutely within reach. There are many things you can do to increase your chances to reach the summit and to make sure you enjoy the trek.

1. It’s important you take your time. Don’t hike too fast so your body has time to adapt and acclimatize.
2. Prepare. Being in good shape also makes the climb much easier. Go hiking a few months before the climb, especially multiple day hikes are excellent training. But also running and aerobic exercise are a good preparation.
3. Add an extra day. It is always difficult to predict who will be affected by altitude sickness. By adding one extra day to your climb, you will reduce this risk. Since you spread the climb over more days and your body gets more time to get used to the higher altitude. We do really advice to do this to increase the chance of making it to the top.

If you like advice on how to prepare yourself for climbing Kilimanjaro, you can always contact us or read our blog How to Prepare for climbing Kilimanjaro?

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route | 6 Days :

Route Description.

The Marangu route is one of the most popular routes to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the less expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier compared to the Machame route. This is not always the best way, due to a shorter acclimatization period.
The Marangu route does however offer you the option of spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain. This extends the route into a 6-day trek, greatly increasing your chances of success.

Marangu is the only route that a clients can sleep on a hut with a comfortable bed, there are flushing toilets on Mandara and Horombo huts.

Hike through forests and alpine meadows, over rocky ravines and past lunar landscapes to the spectacular summit of Africa’s highest peak. The panoramic views from the top of Mt Kilimanjaro must be seen to be believed.

Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara hut 

Elevation: 1800m (6,046 ft) to 2700m (8,858 ft)
Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Rain Forest
The drive from Moshi to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 40 minutes and 2 hours from Arusha. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb.

Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut

Elevation:2700m (8,858ft) to 3720m (12,205 ft)
Distance: 11 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Moorlands

Today the first part of the walk is a steep ascent through forest, but the path soon opens out into moorland and, in clear weather, there are great views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
We arrive at Horombo Hut mid-afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery around the hut.

Day 3: Horombo hut: Acclimatization day

Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge
Elevation: 3720m (12,205ft) to 4025m (14,400 ft)
Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Habitat: Semi desert

Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here.
This extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut.

Day 4: Horombo hut to Kibo hut

Elevation: 3720m (12,205 ft) to 4700m (15,430 ft)
Distance: 10 km/6 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today we climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. These 6-7 hours walking will be taken at a slow pace until we reach Kibo Hut (4,700m), where we will have an earlier dinner, the remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent early mid night.

Day 5: Kibo Camp to Summit and Horombo Hut

Elevation: 4700m (15,500ft) to 5895m (19,340ft)

Down to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

Habitat: Alpine Desert

You will rise around 23:00 and after tea, soup or porridge we begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Gillman’s 5,685 m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi then continue slowly to make 1.5 hour from here to Uhuru peak 5,895m/19341ft, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo hut for a well deserved overnight.

Day 6: Horombo hut  – Marangu Gate

Elevation: 3700m (12,200 ft) to 1800m (5,800 ft)

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). Once at the park headquarters at Marangu gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel.