Climb Kilimanjaro: the Marangu Route

Marangu starts at the gate of the same name on the south-eastern side of the massif. The ascent and the descent both follow one system of trails through the Mandara, Horombo and Kibo huts. That is what distinguishes the route from the tented traverses of Lemosho and Machame.

The mountain section is short: after a night at Mandara the team climbs to Horombo, then straight on to Kibo. That profile saves time but leaves less room for the principle of climbing high and sleeping low. How each participant is feeling must be assessed with particular rigour.

The huts are not hotels. Accommodation is shared, there is less personal space, and the noise level depends on how busy the route is. A sleeping bag remains a compulsory part of personal equipment.

The summit push begins at night from Kibo. The trail climbs to Gilman’s Point on the crater rim, then continues to Uhuru Peak at 5895 m. After the summit the group descends through Kibo to the Horombo hut.

Endurance and experience of long days on foot are required. Follow the guidance on training for the mountains and study the symptoms of altitude sickness in advance.

If nights in tents are acceptable to you, compare Marangu with the more gradual Lemosho and the dynamic Machame.

The main visual episode of Marangu is the crossing of the high saddle. On one side rises the rounded dome of Kibo, on the other the shattered rock of Mawenzi. Between them lies a dry volcanic plain, nothing like the forest the climb began in two days earlier.

The hut format is a convenient choice for a private climb if participants want their own pace and an extra day at Horombo. After the mountain the trip can be extended with a safari or with Zanzibar.

Day 1. Arrival in Tanzania.

Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to Moshi. After check-in there is a briefing, a check of personal equipment and preparation of the duffel bag. Night at the hotel. At the briefing the guide explains the fast acclimatisation profile in particular, and the criteria for continuing the route safely.

Day 2. Moshi to the Marangu gate to the Mandara hut.

Drive to the Marangu gate at about 1980 m, registration and the start of the trek through mountain forest. The stage ends at the Mandara hut at about 2700 m. Night in the hut. The trail passes through damp forest, and the night at Mandara is the first step on the classic hut road.

Day 3. Mandara to the Horombo hut.

The trail leaves the forest for the heather moorland and climbs to the Horombo hut at about 3720 m. The day involves a substantial gain in altitude, so the pace must stay even. Night in the hut. Beyond the treeline Mawenzi appears, and the route takes on real high-mountain scale for the first time.

Day 4. Horombo to the Kibo hut.

The crossing of the high saddle to the Kibo hut at about 4700 m. After check-in participants prepare clothing, head torches, water and food for the night departure. An early rest. Night in the hut. The saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo looks like a separate desert planet and prepares you psychologically for the summit night.

Day 5. Ascent of Uhuru Peak, 5895 m, and descent to Horombo.

A night departure to Gilman’s Point and on to Uhuru Peak at 5895 m. The decision to continue is taken by the guide, taking account of the weather, the pace and each participant’s condition. After the summit the group descends through Kibo to the Horombo hut. Night in the hut. After dawn on the crater rim the way to Uhuru passes the glaciers, and the return to Horombo requires you to keep strength for the descent.

Day 6. Horombo to the Marangu gate to Moshi.

A long descent through Mandara to the Marangu gate, completion of the route formalities and transfer to Moshi. Night at the hotel. A long descent in a single day takes participants back through all the familiar natural zones in reverse order.

Day 7. End of the trip.

Breakfast and transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport. The departure time is agreed against the confirmed flight. After the mountain the journey can continue with a safari or a stay on the islands of the Indian Ocean.

• A Mountain Guide team leader with groups of four participants or more
• The services of a local English-speaking mountain guide
• The services of a cook and porters
• Meeting at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transfer to the hotel
• Transfer from the hotel to Kilimanjaro International Airport after the trip
• All the road transfers set out in the itinerary
• Two nights in a three-star hotel in Moshi, twin occupancy, with breakfast
• The Kilimanjaro National Park permit and compulsory fees
• Accommodation in mountain huts during the climb
• Full board during the mountain part of the trip – breakfast, lunch and dinner

• International flights to Tanzania and back
• The transfer between Nairobi and Moshi, if a participant chooses to fly via Kenya
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5895 m and evacuation – compulsory for participation
• A Tanzanian visa, if the participant requires one for their nationality – $50 for most nationalities; requirements depend on nationality, and a different visa type applies to US citizens
• Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the climb
• Single occupancy – the cost is confirmed separately
• Personal equipment and clothing
• Tips for the local mountain team – the recommended amount is confirmed before the trip
• Any costs arising from a departure from the itinerary

The Kilimanjaro climb by the Marangu route can be run privately on your own dates. This format suits a single participant, a family, a group of friends or a corporate team. A Russian-speaking Mountain Guide leader can be added to a private trip for a group of any size, quoted individually. There is more detail on the private Kilimanjaro climbs page. The basic trip is built in the most compact form. For newcomers and participants without altitude experience, an acclimatisation day at Horombo can be added. That makes the trip longer but gives more time to adapt before moving up to Kibo. A private trip can add a safari after Kilimanjaro, or time on Zanzibar. The dates, hotels, internal flights within Tanzania and the final price of any additional sections are confirmed separately before the contract is signed. To receive a quote, write to us through the Contacts page and tell us the make-up of your group, your preferred dates, your altitude experience and whether you need a Russian-speaking guide.

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and on your flight routing. Before buying tickets, check the rules for Tanzania and for every transit country against official sources. To take part you will need:

• A passport valid for at least six months on the date of entry and with at least one free page
• A return ticket or confirmation of onward travel
• A Tanzanian visa, where one is required; you can apply through the official eVisa system
• Medical insurance covering high-altitude trekking to 5895 m and evacuation
• An international yellow fever vaccination certificate, if you are arriving from a country at risk or have spent at least 12 hours in transit through one
• Your booking confirmation for the trip and the host team’s contact details

We recommend keeping digital copies of your documents on your phone and in cloud storage. Check the current visa and health requirements again before you fly.

Kilimanjaro climbs run all year round. The driest and most popular spells usually fall between January and early March, and from June to October. This does not mean clear weather is guaranteed: cloud, rain, snow, strong wind and a sharp drop in temperature are possible in any month. The main rainy season around Kilimanjaro usually falls between March and May, and above all in April and May. A shorter rainy spell runs from October to December and is often most noticeable in November. Climbing is possible in these months, but the lower trails can be wet and slippery, kit is harder to keep dry, and cloud can limit the views. The south-eastern Marangu side runs through humid montane forest. The huts make wet nights easier, but they do not remove the wet trails, the mist or the need for proper waterproofs. It can be warm and humid at the start of the route, while night temperatures in the high camps fall below 0 °C. The coldest stage is the night start for the summit. You need warm layers, protection from wind and rain, and waterproof packing for your sleeping bag, clothing, documents and electronics. A detailed month-by-month comparison is published in our article on the best time to climb Kilimanjaro.

Two nights in a 3-star hotel in Moshi, in twin rooms, are provided before the mountain section and after it finishes. Breakfasts are included. The specific hotel is confirmed before departure. During the climb the group stays in the Mandara, Horombo and Kibo mountain huts. The sleeping rooms are shared. The huts give you a roof and a bed, not hotel comfort. You bring your own sleeping bag. Full board is provided during the climb. Agree the menu in advance, along with any vegetarian, allergy or other dietary requirements. Lunches and dinners at the hotel before and after the mountain are paid separately.

Marangu uses mountain huts with shared sleeping rooms and basic toilet and washing facilities. There is no proper shower during the mountain section, and quiet and personal space are not guaranteed. On the mountain section you cannot count on a shower, mains power, Wi-Fi or regular mobile signal. Signal depends on the camp, the weather and the network, so it should not form part of a work or family communication plan. Charge your phone, camera gear and power bank before the route starts, and protect them from cold and damp. Earplugs are useful for sleeping. In the wet season, damp clothing cannot always be dried out completely before the next stage.

Check and test your equipment before the trip. Pay particular attention to broken-in footwear, a warm set for the summit night, and keeping your kit dry. The permitted weight of your duffel bag is confirmed before departure.

Personal equipment

• Day pack of 25-35 litres with a rain cover
• Duffel bag for the items your porter carries
• Sleeping bag with a comfort rating of -5 to -10 °C
• Trekking poles
• Dry bags or strong waterproof sacks for your sleeping bag and clothing

Clothing and footwear

• Broken-in trekking boots with good grip
• Light footwear for the hotel and for town
• waterproof shell jacket
• waterproof shell trousers
• Quick-drying trekking trousers
• A set of base layers
• Fleece jacket or another warm mid layer
• Down jacket with a hood
• Warm gloves or mittens
• Thin gloves
• Warm hat
• Buff or balaclava
• Sun hat
• Trekking socks, plus a separate warm pair for summit day
• Gaiters

Other items

• Head torch with spare batteries
• Power bank and charging cables
• Sunglasses
• Ski goggles for wind and snow
• Vacuum flask, 1 litre, without a push-button lid
• Reusable water bottle
• Sun cream and lip balm with SPF
• Insect repellent for the lower part of the route
• Quick-drying towel
• Personal toiletries
• A personal first-aid kit suited to your own medical needs; take medicines only as directed

Discuss malaria risk and prophylaxis with your doctor before the trip. There is background information in our article on avoiding malaria.