Marangu Route 6 Days

Starts at: Moshi

Ends at: Moshi

Country: Tanzania

Max Altitude: 5895 M

Airport: Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Activity: Sightseeing and High Altitude Trekking

Best Season: January to Mid-March, June, July, August, September, October & December.

Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Overview

Kilimanjaro Marangu route it is known as “Coca-Cola” route or “tourist route” this is because Marangu is the most common route on the mountain and thus is considered popular touristy and because is the only route that provide sleeping huts. Approaching Kilimanjaro from the southeast Marangu is a very popular route among the present day tourists. It is the oldest established route. The route is mostly favored for its scenic view and easy accessibility. The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time is a bit low. It is always recommended to take an extra day to reach at the summit as this is an excellent way to hike the success rate. The dormitory style accommodations (the huts) take it to the top of the preference list for anyone while selecting the routes.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi

• Day 2: Moshi to Marangu gate to Mandara huts

• Day 3: Mandara huts to Horombo huts

• Day 4: Horombo hut (This day is omitted if choosing a 5 day itinerary)

• Day 5: Horombo huts to Kibo huts

• Day 6: Summit Day, Kibo huts camp to Uhuru peak to Horombo huts camp

• Day 7: Horombo huts camp to Marangu gate to Moshi

• Day 8: Departure – Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi

On arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our driver who will pick you up and transfer to Moshi town to your designated hotel for overnight.

Day 2: Moshi to Marangu gate to Mandara huts

Elevetion: 1200m to 1860m to 2700m, Distance: 8km, Hiking Time: 3-4 hours, Habitat: Montana forest

You will be transferred to Marangu gate from the hotel and do a registration at the gate. Afterwards, you will begin trekking though the rainforest to Mandara hut. Here you will have an acclimatization opportunity of visiting Mound Crater. Dinner and overnight at Mandara hut.

Day 3: Mandara huts to Horombo huts

Elevation: 2700m to 3720m, Distance 12km, Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Moorland

After breakfast you will out climb the rainforest and continue trekking to Horombo hut where you will trek through rolling moorlands and get your fist clear view of towering Kilimanjaro.

Day 4: Horombo hut (This day is omitted if choosing a 5 day itinerary)

Spend an extra day here at Horombo during the 6 day itinerary for acclimatization purposes.This would absolutely be a leisure day for you. Just hike to Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rock for high altitude practice and then return back to Horombo hut for lunch. No work:  rest until dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Horombo huts to Kibo huts

Elevation: 3720m to 4703m, Distance: 9km, Hiking Time: 5-6 hours, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

After the breakfast you trek past the last water point to reach Kibo saddle -a great desert between the two peaks Mawenzi and Kibo. An early dinner and overnight at Kibo hut.

Day 6: Summit Day, Kibo huts camp to Uhuru peak to Horombo huts camp

Elevation: 4703m to 5895m, Down 3720m, Distance: 6km up, 15km down, Time: 6-8 hours up, Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Wake at midnight for a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. As you know that you have to trek in the darkness, so carry your headlamp/ flashlight with you. Pack your warm clothes to make yourself comfortable on the summit. As it would be too cold. Remember, your aim is to reach Uhuru peak shortly before or after sunrise to watch the great sight of the sunrise. Yet don’t get hurried. Trek slowly through steep scree or possibly snow. This s the most difficult part of your climb and always try to reach at the Gilman’s point latest by 4-6 Am. At this point you will have a view of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. It is because, after that you would have to take another 2 hours trek to reach at Uhuru. Stay for a short period there at Uhuru for photography and start descending to Kibo huts, to have lunch, rest and collect your equipments and continue down trough re-cross the saddle to the Horombo huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.

Day 7: Horombo huts camp to Marangu gate to Moshi

Elevetion: 3720m to 1860m to 1200m, Distance: 20km, Descending Time: 4-7 hours

After a long sleep you will be awaked for breakfast and pack, continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara huts. Here you will have lunch then proceed trough lush forest to Marangu gate. After the gate sign out, a vehicle will take you back Moshi at the hotel where it is definitely time for your certificate presentation and celebration!

Day 8: Departure – Kilimanjaro International Airport.

After a good night rest and breakfast at the lodge, our transfer vehicle will be ready to pick you up and take you to Kilimanjaro International Airport to connect with your flight back home. But if you wish to extend your program and proceed with safari kindly let us know so that we can arrange it in advance.

Group Expeditions

The price per person for group expeditions are fixed based on a group size. However, we have optional arrangements for individual private and tailor-made preferences best suited for you, your family and friends.

See Group Booking Discount

Tailor Made Expeditions

Based on individual tour preference, Bujo tours welcomes ideas and all sorts of clients’ options for their expedition. Our consultation team will bring your ideas and options creating an unforgettable trip. For your Tailor booking requests, please Contact Us

Private Expeditions

We understand that some clients want their adventure expedition to be a private affair, so that it would enable them to spend some of their memorable moments with their near and dear ones at their own Schedule. Considering this, Bujo Tours organizes private journeys as well. For your private booking requests, please Contact Us

Proper equipment is real extremely important to the success, comfort and safety of your trip.

Recommended clothing has four features;
Manages moisture – Wicks perspiration from your skin, use for the base layers.
Should be a durable – comfortable, insulating, breathable, soft fabrics are polarity wind, Gore-Tex wind stopper.
Windproof – waterproof and breathable like Gore-Tex or similar (outer layers)
Insulating material – should be down fill or synthetic-fill and fit cover all layers like, down, prim aloft and polar guard.

For sleeping:

3-4 season sleeping bag and silk liner(optional), on the mountain temperature can get down to zero degrees Fahrenheit (-18° C) at night, so bring a warm bag.
Sleeping pad, a closed cell form camping mattress is OK; an inflatable Thermo-Rest is more comfortable.

For the head and face:

• Pile or a wool hat-Bring one that covers ears, a balaclava
• Shade hat or cap and scarf to cover your neck
• Dark sunglasses with strong UV protection (glacier glasses)
• Sunscreen-30 SPF
• Lip salve
• Head torch(flashlight) with spare batteries

For the upper body:

• T-shirts-Synthetics are the best approx 4.
• Upper body layers-long sleeved thermal tops, a fleece/warm jumper (thick winter fleece) and a pile jacket.
• Rain gear-Bring a good of Gore-tax or waterproof clothes.
• Wind stopper (optional you can use rain gear)
• Gloves for summit night (e.g. ski gloves with silk liner or down Mittens are ideal)
• 25-35 liters day sack/rucksack with good waist strap to carry water, camera, snacks etc.

For the legs:

• Quick dry hiking short.
• Long underwear bottoms
• Warm trousers/for the evening and summit day
• Rain paints and wind paint as well.
• Undergarment (enough for duration of the trek)

For the feet: 

• Thin socks-Three pair of synthetic socks.
• Thick socks-3/4 pairs of specialist trekking socks, one warm pair for summit day.
• Hiking boot (one pair medium weight)
• Gaiters-To keep dirt, scree and snow out of your boots.
• Tennis shoes (to wear in the camp after a day of hiking)

For hydration:

• Water bottles(minimum 2 liters) Camel back packs(with dust cup) Nalgene bottles, aluminum Sigg, Ideally one bottle should be able to contain hot liquids(optional)
• Water treatment-Bring a water treatment. We will filtrate the water before you use.
• Water flavoring (optional)

Additional Items:

• Trekking poles
• Camera/film or memory card, extra batteries
• Casual clothes for traveling, spare day and celebration dinner.
• Isotonic drink powder or tablets (optional)
• Energy bars/chocolate/nuts or energy tablets
• Plastic bags (to protect clothes from rain, for dirty washing, etc)
• Sunglasses (spare)
• Swiss army knife (optional)
• Credit card (in case of emergencies) – let your credit card company know you are traveling to Tanzania
• Money belt to be worn inside trousers or skirt
• If you wear contact lenses it is advisable to also bring your glasses
• Playing cards, reading material etc.

Health and Hygiene

• High-factor sun cream (30SPF) and lip salve (mountain sun can be very strong)
• Wet wipes
• Antibacterial hand gel
• Biodegradable nappy sacks (optional, but useful to store rubbish)
• Personal toiletries (please only bring biodegradable products)
• Earplugs (in case of snorers!)
• Toilet paper (will be provided)
• Lightweight trekking towel
• Vaseline/talcum powder

Small Medical Kit

Although you will have a team Medically Trained Guide in your trip, it is advisable bring along a small personal medical kit.

• Dimox (Accetomalozide) for altitude adjustment

Dexemethasone (Emergence medicine)

• Antiseptic cream
• Plasters (band-aids)
• Lint wound dressing
• Knee support
• Crepe bandage
• Safety pins
• Pain killers (Paracetamol and ibuprofen)
• Insect repellent
• Deep heat ointment
• Diareze/Imodium, Cipro and Pepto-Bismol
• Oral rehydration salts
• Compeed blister plasters (Moleskin)
• Malaria tablets /Malaron

Note: Malaron, Dimox and Dexamethasone are prescription medicine we highly recommending you to discuss with your Doctor. We are not carrying this medicine in our First Aid Kit.
Hiring any additional clothing upon booking we will provide equipment hiring price list, upon arrival in Moshi we will check over any clothing/equipment you have.
COTTON clothing must be avoided, because its dries very slowly, choose wool or synthetic fabrics that wicks the sweat and moisture from your skin.

Mountain medication (A few drugs that help AMS)

Note: Malaron and Dimox are prescription medicine we highly recommending you to discuss with your Doctor. We are not carrying this medicine in our First Aid Kit

Price includes;

• Park fees,  Hut fees & rescue fees
• Twice a day medical health checkup, monitoring with pulse-oximeter and stethoscope with basic first kit
• Oxygen Cylinder
• Orientation meeting in Moshi and gear check as well.
• 18% Value Added Tax on tour fees & services
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Transportation to & from the mountain gate
• Medically qualified mountain guides, cooks and porters
• 3 Meals while on the mountain + evening tea with popcorn or peanuts.
• Hot water for washing up daily and treated water for drink while climbing.
• Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Moshi. Bed & Breakfast Basis with storage facilities for excess luggage during hikes.
• Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
• 3-4 porters per climber, which includes porters to carry up to 30 lbs of your personal gear.
• Kilimanjaro certificate for your successful summit attempt.

Price excludes;

• Flights
• Tips to mountain crew
• Items of a personal nature
• Laundry Services
• Entry visa for Tanzania

Bujo Tours and Safaris LTD lead your dream to the roof of Africa