Marangu Route on Kilimanjaro

Budget operators attempt to encourage people to climb the Marangu Route by claiming that it is the easiest route. The reality is that the Marangu Route is only the easiest route for the operator as very little equipment is needed because accommodation is in huts, the entry gate is close to Moshi and the access road is paved all the way to the park gate.

While it is true that the approach to high camp is certainly the easiest on this route Marangu nonetheless suffers the worst summit success rates on the mountain with only 42% of all climbers reaching the summit, according to KINAPA’s official figures.

Day to day itinerary

Day 01: Marangu Gate  – Mandara Hut (8,875 ft)
This morning we drive through Kilimanjaro’s semi-tropical foothills to Marangu Gate, where you enter Kilimanjaro National Park and start your climb. Today’s trek takes 4-5 hours through tropical rainforest to reach Mandara Hut.

Day 02: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut (12,201 ft)
Your second day on the mountain starts with a fairly steep climb through the last of the rainforest up to alpine meadows dotted with giant heather. Further on, the environment changes to open heath with stunted vegetation before opening out to bleak moorland.

Today you will gain approximately 1,000m in altitude, so walk slowly in order to acclimatize properly.  It is normally a 6-7 hour hike to reach Horombo Hut.

Day 03: Horombo Huts- Horombo Huts (15,463 ft)
You will have a full day to acclimatize at the Horombo huts, with hiking up to the Zebra Rocks on the bottom of Mawenzi peaks, returning to the Huts for dinner and oVernight

Day 04: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut (15,463 ft)
The terrain now becomes progressively more rocky and rugged and giant groundsels and lobelias make their appearance.  The trail skirts Mawenzi Peak, before crossing a stark, almost lunar landscape and the tundra desert of ‘the saddle”.

The hike to Kibo Hut takes anything from 5 to 7 hours and the views from the saddle are breathtaking.  Make this an early night – your attempt on Uhuru Peak starts at midnight.

Day 05: Kibo Hut – SUMMIT (19,340 ft) – Horombo Hut (12,201 ft)
Soon after midnight, you will be awakened by your guides to start the zigzag trek up a long scree slope. After roughly two hours you should reach Hans Meyer’s Cave and from here the gradient gets steeper.  Continue your climb for approximately another 3 hours to Gilman’s Point and you will be rewarded by the dramatic sight of the rising sun reflecting off the ice fields and craggy peaks of Mawenzi.

Walk along the crater rim for another couple of hours to reach your goal – Uhuru Peak, towering at 19,340 ft.  After congratulating yourself and your companions on this great achievement, descend to Kibo Hut for rest and refreshment before continuing to Horombo Hut for your last night on the mountain..

Day 06: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate
After a leisurely breakfast, make your final descent across the alpine meadow, past Mandara Hut and on down through the rainforest to Marangu Gate, where your driver and vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to Arusha. Or Airport for your home Flight or other destination.