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Marangu trail is the oldest and most well established trekking route on Mount Kilimanjaro. It remains extremely popular mainly because it is the only route on the mountain that has hut accommodation for trekkers.
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Day 2 – Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to Mandara Hut (2,700 meters)
Day 3 – Mandara Hut (2,700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Day 4 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)
Day 5 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Day 6 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)
Day 7 –Moshi/ Arusha/Departure
Day 1 – Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport,
Day 2 – Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to Mandara Hut (2,700 meters)
Day 3 – Mandara Hut (2,700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Day 4 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) as acclimatization day
Day 5 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Day 6 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters).
Days 7- Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to the hotel
Day 8 –Moshi/ Arusha/Departure
Day 2 – Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to Mandara Hut (2,700 meters)
The Marangu Route begins at Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) on the South-East side of Mount Kilimanjaro (see map above). Typically you will be driven to the gate from Moshi, which takes approximately an hour and passes through the village of Marangu. If approaching from Arusha it takes over two hours to reach Marangu gate. At the gate you will meet your trekking team, register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities and witness porters assembling and weighing packs of gear that they will be carrying up the mountain. Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest and takes 5-7 hours to complete. Your first night is spent in the Mandara A-frame Huts (2,700 meters) which come equipped with solar generated lighting, flush toilets and water piped in from a nearby mountain stream. Each hut has 6-8 bunk beds. If you are a light sleeper we suggest bringing ear plugs!
Estimated Trekking distance: 8km / 5 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Mandara Hut (2,700 meters). B, L, D.
Day 3 – Mandara Hut (2,700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Day two on the Marangu Route begins with an early start. You will be served breakfast and should be on your way by latest 08:30. The trek continues through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you should definitely take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo. During the trek you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude. Day two takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete and covers a significant distance (11.5km / 7miles). At Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) you will be served dinner and shown to your sleeping quarters for the night.
Estimated Trekking distance: 11.5km / 7 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest zone/ Low Alpine Zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Horombo Hut (3,720 meters). B, L, D.
Day 4 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)
Note: Day three on the Marangu Route is an acclimatization day for 6 day trekkers. Most six day trekkers venture on a 4-5 hour hike to Mawenzi Hut and back, which is good for acclimatization. For 5 day trekkers you will depart from Horombo Hut early and begin a 1,000 meter ascent to Kibo Hut which covers a distance of approximately 10km. There are two routes to Kibo. The first, or upper route, forks to the right. Six day trekkers would have trekked this route on their acclimatization day to Mawenzi Hut. You will most likely take the lower left hand route as it is easier and nearly an hour shorter. On the left hand route you will pass the last water point at 4,130 meters. Make sure to fill up your water reserves here as you will not find another watering point until you get back to Horombo Hut from the summit (you are able to buy bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut). At Kibo Hut you will be served an early dinner and should try get to bed before 19:00 as you will be awoken around 23:30 to start your 1,150 meter ascent to Uhuru Peak. Make sure that you have all your gear ready for a prompt departure, including insulated water, snacks, your headlamp and camera.
Estimated Trekking distance: 10km / 6 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Kibo Hut (4,700 meters). B, L, D.
Day 5 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Day four begins with summit night. After being awoken you will be served some hot tea and biscuits and will then begin your summit ascent. The route follows a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. It then continues to zigzag for a good 2-3 hours until you get to Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) on Kibo’s crater rim. You will most likely be very tired at this point. Take some time to rest and refuel with a snack. The final push is tough and requires mental stamina. Focus on moving slowly and deliberately for the final 200 meter ascent. At Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) you will not be able to stay too long so make sure to get all the pictures you want to take and then begin your descent back to Kibo Hut, and onto Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it! Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo!
Estimated Trekking distance: 5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 8 mile descent
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Horombo Hut (3,720 meters). B, L, D.
Day 6 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)
Day five from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate is nearly 20km but usually only takes 7 hours to complete. You will be exhausted at this stage and spend most of the hike imagining the hot shower you will be having that evening. At Marangu Gate you will be presented with your certificate, either for Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you managed to get). It is expected to present your trekking team with their hard-earned tips at this point. You will then be driven back to your hotel where celebrations can begin!
Estimated Trekking distance: 20km / 12.5 miles
Estimated Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone and rainforest
Activities: Hiking/Trekking
Accommodation & Meals: Salsalinero Hotel, B, L.
Day 7 – Moshi/Arusha/Departure
Whether you go on a safari with us, or fly to Zanzibar or any other destination, out vehicle will be ready for your transfer at a time of your choosing.
Prices are quoted in $ per person | |||||
| Number of people in a group | Days | 1Pax | 2-5Pax | 5-10Pax | 10Pax+ |
| Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 2024 | 5 | 1,900 | 1,700 | 1,600 | 1,500 |
| Validity: 01 Jan – 31 Dec, 2024 | 6 | 2,045 | 1,900 | 1,700 | 1,600 |
| Optional: Add: Cost for Extra Night at any camp | 350 | 350 | 350 | 350 | |
Note:
You can leave extra luggage in Hotel in Arusha (if you leave any valuable items like cash, jewelry, etc) make sure you get a receipt for that.
*If you add that day, instead of just staying at the hotel, we can offer a day trip to the nearby Arusha National Park for game drives for $180pp inclusive of 1to 2 hours hiking on mount Meru. Starting from 4 pax in a group.
1. HOW DIFFICULT IS THE MARANGU ROUTE?
Marangu Route is also the only route that offers hut accommodation, which can provide some comfort for climbers. Hence the 6-day route is said to be somewhat easier. But the 5-day hike is very difficult because there is no time for the body to acclimatize. Do note that good fitness levels are still necessary for this trek.
2. HOW LONG IS THE MARANGU ROUTE?
The exact distance on the Marangu trail is 82km or 50 miles. We recommend chosing 6 days over 5 days to do this route. The average daily altitude gain is about 1000m as compared to only 700m on 7-day Machame and 500m on the 8-day Lemosho routes.
3. WHAT IS MARANGU ROUTE’S SUMMIT SUCCESS RATE?
As it is one of the shortest routes on the mountain, the Marangu Route has the lowest summit success rates. This is mainly because of the unprofessional local tour guides who take groups up the mountain on the shorter (and cheaper) 5-day hike. Because of this, the 5-day average success rate is 50%! We advise our hikers with this in mind, so we only take the 6-day option which increases the success rate to over 90%!
4. HOW IS THE SCENERY ON THE MARANGU ROUTE?
The Marangu route ascends through the rainforest, moorlands, and alpine areas before ending in the glacial zone. This trek is very beautiful and is the only route that allows you to descend the same way you ascended.
The origin of the Name ellbark
E-Elephants
L-Lion
L-Leopard
Ba-Baffalo
R-Rhino
K-Kilimanjaro
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