7 Days Climbing Kilimanjaro Expedition Marangu Route
Mandara Huts, Horombo Huts,Kibo Huts,Kibo Huts and Marangu Gate
Trekking Overview
The Marangu route is a popular route and also the cheapest. It is the only route that offers mountain huts instead of tents for the overnight stays. The route leads straight up to the summit and down again via the same route. Altitude changes per day are significant, which is why this route is only suitable for experienced climbers.The ascent via the Marangu route takes a total of five days. However, it is recommended to add an extra day to give your body time to adjust to the high altitude. If you choose to do so, you can stay an extra night in Horombo huts on the fourth day and make an acclimatization hike. This extra day significantly increases your chances of reaching the summit.
You provide professional guides, porters and a cook to accompany you on your ascent via Marangu route. They will check your physical and mental wellbeing every morning and evening with special equipment. Our chefs will prepare delicious mountain food for you, as this also increases your chance to summit. Feel free to ask us for the menu – we happily send it to you. When you request a quote from us for climbing Kilimanjaro via Marangu route, you will also receive a number of informative documents to help you prepare.
- Northern Circuit
- 7 Days | 6 Nights
Full Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport - Arusha
The Marangu route is a popular route and also the cheapest. It is the only route that offers mountain huts instead of tents for the overnight stays. The route leads straight up to the summit and down again via the same route. Altitude changes per day are significant, which is why this route is only suitable for experienced climbers.
The ascent via the Marangu route takes a total of five days. However, it is recommended to add an extra day to give your body time to adjust to the high altitude. If you choose to do so, you can stay an extra night in Horombo huts on the fourth day and make an acclimatization hike. This extra day significantly increases your chances of reaching the summit.
You provide professional guides, porters and a cook to accompany you on your ascent via Marangu route. They will check your physical and mental wellbeing every morning and evening with special equipment. Our chefs will prepare delicious mountain food for you, as this also increases your chance to summit. Feel free to ask us for the menu – we happily send it to you. When you request a quote from us for climbing Kilimanjaro via Marangu route, you will also receive a number of informative documents to help you prepare.
Day 2: Marangu Gate (1830 m/ 6,000 ft) - Mandara Huts (2700 m/ 8,858 ft)
Today you’ll be heading out to your firstTanzania national park: the magnificent Lake Manyara. Though one of the smaller national parks in the country, it still packs a punch. Expect to spot herds of elephants slowly trekking across the plains, vast troops of baboons in the thick forest canopy and – if you are lucky! – perhaps even tree-climbing lions.
You’ll spend the day in your private 4×4 safari vehicle with your experienced safari guide leading the way. A mesmerising variety of wildlife can be found around the huge soda lake, including buffalos, warthogs, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras and plenty of pink flamingos. The shallow Hippo Pool is always a highlight and offers excellent opportunities for hippo sightings as well as spectacular views of the Rift Valley Escarpment.
Lake Manyara in Tanzania isn’t just about epic game drives, however. Combine a full day of safari adventure with various activities from cultural tours to canopy walks and more!Return to your Lake Manyara luxury lodge around sunset and enjoy a delicious meal al fresco, listening to the quiet hum of the wilderness
Day 3: Mandara Huts (2700 m/ 8,858 ft) - Horombo Huts (3720 m/ 12,204 ft)
Elevation gain: 1020 m/ 3,346 ft | Distance: 10 km | Walking time: 5-6 hours | Difficulty: medium | Environment: heatherFrom Mandara Huts, the landscape slowly changes from cloud forest to grass plains with some heather and other vegetation. On a clear day you have a beautiful view of Kibo, the highest peak of Kilimanjaro. A little further you can also see Mawenzi, the second summit of Kilimanjaro.
The higher you go, the less vegetation can be seen and the more it starts to look like a lunar landscape. The air is also becoming thinner now. A few hours after lunch you can make an acclimatization hike with an ascent of 200 meters and then return to Horombo Huts for dinner and overnight.
Note: The acclimatization walk is an easy hike with a slight rise in altitude. This will accelerate the acclimatization process. The acclimatization hikes are highly recommended as they increase your chances to summit Kilimanjaro by reducing the risk of altitude sickness.
If you take the recommended extra acclimatization day, doing the Marangu route in 6 instead of 5 days: the only difference is that you will stay one more night in the Horombo Huts. After breakfast you will go for another acclimatization hike towards Kibo huts and back. After lunch you have the opportunity to take some pictures of the Mawenzi Vulcano, discover the area or take a rest to be ready for the next day.
Day 4: Horombo Huts (3720 m/ 12,204 ft) - Kibo Huts (4700 m/ 15,419 ft)
Early morning you drive from from your hotel to the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The road leads you over the Great Rift Valley, through the crater forest, to the striking Ngorongoro Crater. This collapsed volcano is the main feature of the area and creates a unique ecosystem with a wide variety of vegetation. Enjoy the beautiful colours of the landscapes and the diversity of animals.
The crater is home to the highest concentration of wildlife in Africa and is choked with elephants, lions, buffaloes, hippos and even the rare black rhino. This is one of the best places to spot all of the Big Five. The views from the crater rim over the crater floor are incredible. Because of its natural beauty, the Ngorongoro Crater is chosen as one of Africa’s Seven Natural Wonders.
There is a range of activities to do in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, like visiting a Maasai village.
Day 5: Kibo Huts (4700 m/ 15,419 ft) - Uhuru Peak (5895 m/ 19,340 ft) - Hurombo Huts (3720 m/ 12,204 ft)
Elevation gain: 1195 m/ 3,920 ft | Elevation loss: 2175 m/ 7,135 ft | Distance: 16 km | Walking time: 9-12 hours | Difficulty: difficult | Environment: arcticAt night you start your ascent to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa! Until sunrise you will use your flashlight.
The biggest challenge lies in the first part of this climb. There will be one personal guide per two climbers, in order to closely monitor and evaluate the climbers’ physical and mental state. After a steep path you will reach Gilman’s Point. From here, Uhuru Peak is not far away, and relatively easy to climb. Once you reach the summit you can enjoy a beautiful sunrise, which is quite impressive at this height!
After a small party at the top, you return to the Kibo Huts before decending further for dinner and overnight at Horombo huts. In total you will be on your feet for about twelve hours today, so prepare yourself for a hard day! When descending, pay close attention to where you put your feet to prevent any injury.
Day 6: Horombo Huts (3720 m/ 12,139 ft) - Marangu Gate (1830 m/ 6,003 ft)
Elevation loss: 1890 m/ 6,200 ft | Distance: 18 km | Walking time: 5-6 hours | Difficulty: medium | Environment: rainforestToday you descend to Marangu gate, the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park. This is a wonderful five to six hour walk through the beautiful forests of Kilimanjaro.
After the descent, the whole group comes together to congratulate each other.
Day 7: To Kilimanjaro airport
Today you can relax at the lodge or explore the surrounding area. You can choose to extend your journey with a beautiful Tanzania Safari. Another option is to unwind on the tropical Zanzibar Island or one of the other exotic beach destinations. If you choose to fly home after your Kilimanjaro trek, you will arrive back home.
- Pick up Kilimanjaro Airport, transfer to lodge/hotel
- Transfer lodge/hotel to Kilimanjaro Airport
- Private guide speaking fluently English or speak your preferred language
- Private cook speaking fluently English
- Park Fees for national park
- Porters who carry your luggage
- Accommodation in huts
- Chairs and tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner
- Dinner-tent
- Rescue fee
- International flight tickets and tourist visa
- Accommodation on day of arrival and departure
- Insurances (travel, flying doctors, Tipping etc)
Inquire This Tour
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