Overview
This 6-day Marangu itinerary adds an acclimatization day to our standard 5-day climb on Kilimanjaro's original route. Marangu is widely seen as the easiest and most accessible way up, and it's the only one with proper sleeping huts at every campsite instead of tents.
The trail is well-developed, and the ascent stays steady and moderate, with the final push to the summit as the one truly demanding stretch. If you'd prefer not to deal with tents and sleeping mats, the simple mountain huts are a real advantage: a proper bed and solid walls each night, although the huts are basic and communal.
Spend the additional day, compared with our 5-day Marangu option, resting at Horombo hut, or use it to climb the smaller peak of Mawenzi if you want an extra challenge. Either way, your acclimatization improves meaningfully over the shorter version of the route.
Read our guide to route length and success rates, or contact us to book your 6-day Marangu climb.
A real elevation profile for the Marangu Route — 5,895m at the summit, from a 1,860m start.
| Accommodation | Confirmed together with you — see the Rates tab for general comfort levels we work with. |
|---|---|
| Meals | Full board on safari days; meals as specified for any city/beach nights, per your final itinerary. |
Day by Day (6 days)
On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our mountain guide will welcome you, show you to a waiting vehicle and transfer you to the Mvuli hotel in Arusha. At the lodge our tour coordinator will hold a short climbing briefing, then leave you to relax and have dinner. Bed and Breakfast booked
After breakfast, you leave Mandara Hut and the Kilimanjaro forests behind and head for Horombo Hut. Most of today's hike crosses Kilimanjaro moorland, a rocky landscape dotted with desert-like plants. You eat a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before moving on to Horombo Hut. On a clear day, the views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks are beautiful. You reach Horombo Hut at around 1500hrs and spend the rest of the afternoon resting.
Elevation: 8,858 ft to 12,205 ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 12 km | 7 miles
Habitat: Health
Horombo Hut to Mawenzi Ridge then back to Horombo Hut
Spending an extra day and night at Horombo gives your body time to adapt to the altitude. We highly advise a walk toward Mawenzi that passes Zebra Rocks (roughly 3 hours to climb and 1.5 hours to come down), because it helps you acclimatize even more.
Elevation: 12,205 ft to 14,400 ft
Hiking Time: 2-3 hours
Mawenzi Ridge to Horombo Hut
Elevation: 14,400 ft to 12,205 ft
Hiking Time: 1-2 hours
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Distance: 5 km | 3 miles
Habitat: Heath
Following breakfast, you keep climbing into the Alpine desert and go past the last water point at 13550 ft/4130m. Fill your bottles here with all the water you will need until you are back at Horombo hut two nights from now (unless you prefer to buy mineral water at Kibo hut). The summit is another 3921ft /1195m higher, and you will make that final ascent the same night. Head to bed at about 1830hrs and get as much rest and sleep as you can.
Elevation: 12,205 ft to 15,430 ft
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Distance: 10 km | 6 miles
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Kibo Hut to Summit then back to Horombo Hut
You are woken at around 2330hrs and, after tea and biscuits, you head off into the night, which is where the real difficulty begins. The first stretch is a rocky path up to Hans Meyer point (17225ft/5250m), which also makes a good resting place. From there the trail zigzags up to Gillman’s point (18639ft/5 681m) on the crater rim. This part is very steep and full of loose stone scree, and it demands great physical and mental effort.
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate
Once breakfast is over, you finish the trek by descending to Marangu Gate. This last walk on Kilimanjaro is a lovely one through the mountain’s cloud forest, but watch your footing, as the trail may be slippery. At Marangu Gate you sign out on departure. It is also where successful climbers collect their summit certificates: those who reached Gillman’s Point (18652ft/5685m) receive silver certificates, while those who made it to Uhuru Peak (1 9341ft/5895m) receive gold ones. Our vehicles will be at Marangu Gate to drive you back to Moshi/Arusha.
Elevation: 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: 20 km | 12 miles
Habitat: Rain Forest
Lodging and meals
Rates Per Person
See "Accommodation & Meals" on the Overview tab for the general comfort levels available — send us your dates and group size for an exact quote.
Next: Inclusions →Inclusions
Included
- Private vehicle with your own driver-guide
- Park entry and conservation fees
- Accommodation as specified in your itinerary
- Meals as specified per day (full board on safari days)
- Airport pickup and drop-off
Excluded
- International flights
- Visa fees
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
Getting There
Tour Start & End
This trip starts in Mount Kilimanjaro and ends in Mount Kilimanjaro.
Airport Information
Kilimanjaro International Airport and Mwanza Airport are the most common arrival points, depending on your route.
Transfer Information
Airport pickup and all transfers between destinations are included and arranged by our team.
Accommodation Before/After
Need a night in Mwanza or Arusha before or after this trip? We can arrange that on request.