Tanzania
Mt. Kilimanjaro - The Marangu Route
7 days · from $2,295
The Marangu Route on Mt. Kilimanjaro is the only route on the mountain that has huts for hikers at each overnight stop. It is also one of the shortest climbs, with just 5 days to summit - although we strongly suggest adding in a night to help you acclimatize.
We offer two levels of climbs: Silver and Gold. Each of these levels is a step above the basic climbs offered on the mountain. All of our climbs are private, which means your party is the only party with your crew and equipment.
Both levels are accompanied by a professional mountain crew who have both "Wilderness First Responder" and "Wilderness First Aid" certificates along with 7 years of climbing experience. Each climber has a porter who can carry up to 15kg of personal baggage.
Along the way you will have 3 square meals a day, which include variety of soups, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. (As a comparison, basic climbs provide meals that are prepared for high carbohydrate intake and are not of hotel standard and lack variety).
Climbs also have warm and comfortable 2" sleeping pads and group equipment of dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery. Oxygen systems and pulse oximeters and a first aid kit are also carried.
Gold Level climbs add expanded rations for a wider choice of options. The crew carries an Iridium 9575 Extreme satellite phone with uninterrupted contact with the support team. Gold Level climbs also include a portable toilet and shower.
Visiting
This Tour Includes
- Meet and greet services
- Mountain guide and porters
- All meals on the mountain
- All park fees, hut fees and rescue fees
- UTG Safari Delay Protection Plan
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Base Hotel
Upon your arrival at either Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha you will be met and transferred to Moshi town and your hotel for dinner and overnight.
Overnight: Springlands Hotel
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Mandara Hut - 8,858 Feet
The National Park Gate (1,830 m.) lies at the edge of Marangu, which is an attractive village with many small coffee and banana plantations. After completing the entrance formalities, we climb up through attractive and unspoilt forest to reach the clearing containing Mandara Hut (2,765 m.), a group of comfortable 'A' frame wooden huts. The largest cabin has a downstairs dining area and an upstairs dormitory and mattresses. Smaller huts sleep eight persons. The total capacity is sixty persons. Water is piped onto site from a spring above and there are flush toilets behind the main cabin. The volcanic remains of Maundi Crater are nearby and makes a good afternoon excursion. An alternative is to rest and enjoy the beautiful forest. There is a rich birdlife at the huts and monkeys are often seen as well. (3-5 hours walking)
Overnight: Mandara Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3: Horombo Hut - 12,205 Feet
The first part of the walk is a steep ascent through the forest, but the path soon opens out into grassy moorland and in clear weather, there are good views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. We climb steadily through the moorland zone, containing giant heathers and occasional stands of groundsel, to eventually reach the hut complex at Horombo (3,790 m.). The buildings here are similar to Mandara Hut, but total capacity is one hundred and twenty persons. Water is piped from the stream behind the huts. There are platform toilets south east of the main hut, about eighty metres down the slope and flush toilets have been built within the complex of small huts. Sunrises and sunsets here are often spectacular and the site is close to the glaciated dome of Kibo. There is a real sense of being above the clouds here. (4-6 hours walking)
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4: Kibo Hut - 15,430 Feet
We climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The terrain changes to scree and there is a palpable sense of high altitude wilderness. We usually reach Kibo Hut (4,750 m.) at the bottom of the crater wall by midday. Kibo is a stone-built block house with a small dining area and a number of dormitory rooms leading off a main corridor. There are bunk beds and mattresses for about sixty people. There is no water here so one has to bring an ample supply from the 'last water' supply above Horombo Hut. Platform toilets are behind the hut. The remainder of the day is spent resting and eating in preparation for the final climb before a very early night! (4-5 hours walking)
Overnight: Kibo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5: Summit Day! - 19,344 Feet
We will start our ascent by torchlight at about 1.00 am., aiming to be up at Gillman's Point by sunrise. The initial climb is steep over loose volcanic scree, but there are some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will have us up to Gillman's (5,685 m.) in about five or six hours. We will rest there and spend some time taking in the sunrise. For those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing close to the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area. The descent is surprisingly fast and we return to Horombo for the night. (11-15 hours walking)
Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Base Hotel
We retrace our steps with a pleasant moorland walk to Mandara and then a lovely forest walk to the National Park gates. The greenness and lushness of the forest is quite a stunning contrast to the summit day and it really makes you realise how varied the scenery on Kilimanjaro really is. (5-6 hours walking). When you finish the climb, there will be a vehicle waiting to meet you and transfer you to your hotel.
Overnight: Springlands Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7: Depart
Depart after breakfast for home or possibly a safari.
Meals: Breakfast
Dates & Prices
| Land Only Per Person Prices in US Dollars |
| Departs Daily |
| | Per Person Sharing a Twin Bedded Room | Per Person in a Single Bedded Room |
| First Plus Silver Climb |
| 01 SEP 18 - 30 NOV 19 | $2,295 | $230 |
| Premier Plus Gold Climb |
| 01 SEP 18 - 30 NOV 19 | $2,995 | $3,255 |