8-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Climb
The only Kilimanjaro route with hut accommodation, climbing from the eastern rainforest with an extra acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut before the summit.
- Length
- 8 days, 7 nights (6 days on the mountain)
- Starts and ends
- Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)
- Route
- Marangu up and down
- Sleeping
- Mountain huts; hotel before and after
- Summit
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m, via Gilman’s Point
- Group size
- From 1 climber
- Fitness
- We advise when you enquire
- Best months
- We advise when you enquire
From
US$2,435
per person
Starting price per person.
Prices are a guide. Park fees and availability change, so we always confirm your exact price in a personal quote before you book. Your price depends on your group size and travel dates. Request a quote at any time, with no obligation to book.
Includes park and hut fees, guides, crew, meals on the mountain and hotel nights before and after. A 30% deposit confirms your booking; the balance is due 30 days before you travel.
Overview
On the Marangu Route you sleep in mountain huts rather than tents, a good choice in the rainy months or for anyone who prefers a solid roof. The trail climbs through misty rainforest, where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals live, into moorland and alpine desert. This six-day version adds an extra night at Horombo Hut, with an acclimatisation walk towards Mawenzi, to give you a better chance on summit night.
Highlights
- Mountain huts instead of tents
- Rainforest hung with moss on the first day
- An acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut, with a walk to Zebra Rocks
- The crossing of the alpine desert to Kibo Hut
- Gilman’s Point on the crater rim and the summit, Uhuru Peak
Route
Kilimanjaro Airport → hotel → Marangu Gate → Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut (2 nights) → Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak → Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate → hotel → Kilimanjaro Airport
Day by day
Arrival
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will meet your local Ecolegacy Africa representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
After breakfast we will collect you from your hotel for your transfer to Marangu Gate for registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent on a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest. The forest, covered with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. We will spend our first night at Mandara Hut, a group of wooden A-framed huts set in a forest clearing.
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirting the base of the Maundi Crater emerging into the transition zone from rain forest to moorland. After about 6 hours we arrive at Horombo Hut.
Acclimatisation at Horombo Hut
This extra day and night at Horombo is ideal for good acclimatisation. A hike towards Mawenzi, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down) is strongly recommended as it will further assist with acclimatisation.
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
We continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone passing the last water point, at about 4,130 m. From Kibo Hut, the summit is a further 1,190 m or so above you. We will make our summit ascent tonight so we will go to bed early to get as much rest as possible.
Summit day: Uhuru Peak, then down to Horombo Hut
We will wake up around 23:30 hours, and after some tea and biscuits we shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (about 5,150 m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gilman’s Point (5,685 m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. From Gilman’s Point we will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long we will be able to spend taking photographs before the 3 hours descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest we gather all the gear we left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo Hut, a further 3 hours. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Your final day on the trek, departing after breakfast we descend about 1,880 m to Marangu Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel for a well-earned shower and celebration.
Departure
After a much needed night’s rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
Where you sleep
| Night | Camp, hut or hotel | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hotel near Kilimanjaro | (named in your personal itinerary) |
| 2 | Mandara Hut | 2,700 m |
| 3–4 | Horombo Hut | 3,720 m |
| 5 | Kibo Hut | 4,703 m |
| 6 | Horombo Hut | 3,720 m |
| 7 | Hotel near Kilimanjaro |
Included
- Hotel nights before and after your climb
- Airport transfers
- Transfers to and from the mountain
- National park entry, hut, climbing and rescue fees
- A fully supported climb (an average of four support staff to each climber)
- All meals and drinking water on the mountain
- Emergency oxygen and a first aid kit
- A certificate for your summit
Not included
- International flights and visas
- Tips for your guide and crew
- Travel insurance covering trekking up to 6,000 m
- Your personal trekking gear
- Snacks on the mountain
- Meals and drinks off the mountain
Make it yours
Add a safari
Add Zanzibar
Warm up on Mount Meru
Request a quote for this climb
Tell us your dates and how you like to travel. We will confirm availability and an exact price for your group. No obligation to book.
We reply within 24 hours.
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Adventure That Gives Back
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