Marangu Route 7 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. Marangu approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast of the Mountain. It is the oldest established route. Many favor the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest route on the mountain. The minimum days required for this route is five, although the probability of successfully reaching the top in that time is a bit low. Spending an extra acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended, maximizing the chance of reaching to the summit. Marangu is the only route which offers sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.

Itinerary Overview

• Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi

• Day 2: Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

• Day 3: Mandara Hut to Mound Crater Acclimatization

• Day 4: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

• Day 5: Horombo Hut to Zebra Rocks Acclimatization

• Day 6: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

• Day 7: Kibo Hut to Summit Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

• Day 8: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi

• Day 9: Departure to Kilimanjaro International Airport

Day 1: Kilimanjaro International Airport to Moshi

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

Day 2: Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and depart to Marangu Gate, about 45 minutes’ drive from Moshi town, as a getaway point to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, and you will be accompanied by guide and crews all the way. After complete the registration process at the gate you will start to trek toward Mandara Hut as the first where you will spend your overnight. The walk will take you about 3 to 4 hours and you will cover an altitude of 1900 meters up to 2720 meters. Along the way you will have enough time to rest and have lunch before proceed with the trek while learning about the mountain history, vegetation and different species of wildlife found at the park such as birds and animals.

Day 3: Mandara Hut to Mound Crater Acclimatization

Today after breakfast, you will head to the Mound Crater, along the way you will be able to enjoy a beautiful view of natural flower gardens, the walk its self will take about 4 hours in total, from the time you left the camp to the time you return. The aim of the today’s task mainly is to assist with the acclimatization, in order for the body to cope well with the change in altitude and be able to avoid altitude sickness during trek. Along the way it is advisable to drink a lot of water in order to keep your body well hydrated and also remember to walk in slow pace.

Day 4: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

After a good night rest at the camp followed an early breakfast, you will depart from Mandara Hut and trek all the way up to Horombo Hut where you will spend your third night on the Mountain. A total of 11 km will be covered during the day that will take approximately six hours with an altitude rise up to 3720 meters. Along the way you will enjoy beautiful scenery of mountain that include different landscape such as a clear view of the snowcapped peak of Kibo and mawenzi peak, forest and animals which together they will make unforgettable experience and life time memories to cherish. During the trek you will have time to break for lunch and learn about different and fascinating plant species found along the way such giant groundsels, lobellas and many more. Late in the afternoon you will arrive at the camp in time for your dinner, relaxation and overnight.

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Zebra Rocks Acclimatization

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Today, your trek will cover approximately 9 kilometers, and rise for about 1000 meters, this route will take you to the southern part, where on this path you will have last chance to fill up your water bottles at Maua River as the last point to collect fresh and usable water and lunch will be served at this spot before proceed trek toward Mawenzi Ridge and into the dry terrain famously known as Saddle. The route itself is very steep consist of less vegetation, but despite that you will have a great view of cones of Mount Kilimanjaro. Late in the evening you will arrive at the camp for dinner and overnight at Kibo Huts. Today you’re advised after dinner to get to bed early as the next day you will depart in the midnight and head for the summit.

Day 7: Kibo Hut to Summit Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Today is the summit day, you’re scheduled to wake up early in the morning around 23:00 hours. After breakfast, 30 minutes later you will trek for 13 hours and rise to an altitude of 1176 meters which will cover approximately 23 kilometers. You’re expected to reach the summit before sunrise around 07:00, and today are considered to be the toughest day ever. During the trek you will pass by the rocky terrain followed by the zig zags, and you will pass different points before reach the summit such as William’s Point 5131 meters, Hans Meyers Cave 5258 meters, and finally Gilman’s Point 5719 meters. After reaching the summit you will have short time to celebrate and take photos with friends and guides and congratulates yourself before start to descend to Kibo hut. Upon arrival at the camp you will have two good hours of rest followed by lunch, before set off again and continue to descend up to Horombo Hut where you will arrive in time for dinner and overnight.

Day 8: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi

After breakfast at the camp you will begin to descend to Marangu Gate, via stop at Mandara Hut where you will enjoy your lunch before proceed to walk to the Marangu Gate. The walk will take you approximately 7 hours and cover 20 kilometers. Upon arrival at the gate you will have chance to sign out. After that you will board a transfer vehicle that will be waiting to drive you back to Moshi to your designated lodge for dinner and overnight also you will have a chance to celebrate together with the guide and crew by offering them tips and you will be awarded a certificate  for successfully complete the trek to the summit.

Day 9: Departure to 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