5 Days Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

TRIP OVERVIEW

For many adventurers, the 5-Day Marangu Route up Mount Kilimanjaro remains a favored choice. Accommodation is provided in shared huts equipped with bunk beds, and the ascent follows the path to Gilman’s Point on the Kibo Volcano’s rim. This route also retraces the same path for the descent.

Highlights:

Explore Kilimanjaro’s diverse landscapes, from afromontane forests to glacial valleys and alpine deserts. Experience the ascent of Kibo, with the possibility of observing the Kibo caldera and ash pit. Witness the glaciers and stand atop the roof of Africa!

Day 1: Mandara Huts

Start Altitude: 6,464 ft / 1970 m
End Altitude: 8,924 ft / 2720 m
Distance: 5 miles / 8 km
Time: 3-5 hours
Climate Zone: Afromontane Forest

Depart after breakfast to Kilimanjaro National Park. Complete preparations at the gate and embark on the hike from Marangu Gate. Enjoy a picnic lunch en route and reach Mandara Hut in the afternoon. An optional walk to Maundi Crater is possible later in the day.

Day 2: Horombo Huts

Start Altitude: 8,924 ft / 2720 m
End Altitude: 12,205 ft / 3720 m
Distance: 7 miles / 11 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Climate Zone: Afromontane Forest

Set off after breakfast for Horombo Huts. The day involves significant altitude gain, requiring a gentle pace. Arrive at the camp in the afternoon, where you have two nights to acclimatize to the altitude.

Day 3: Kibo Hut

Start Altitude: 12,205 ft / 3720 m
End Altitude: 15,486 ft / 4720 m
Distance: 6 miles / 9 km
Time: 4-6 hours
Climate Zones: Heath / Alpine Desert

An early start to reach the final hut before the summit attempt. Progress through the alpine zone towards Kibo’s base. Arrive at Kibo Hut by mid-afternoon to prepare for the evening ascent. After an early dinner, rest before the nighttime summit departure.

Day 4: Summit Bid / Horombo Huts

Start Altitude: 15,486 ft / 4720 m
End Altitude: 12,205 ft / 3720 m
Distance: 13 miles / 21 km
Time: 13-17 hours
Climate Zones: Alpine Desert / Arctic / Heath

Commence the climb to the peak before midnight for optimal conditions. The firmer scree sections at night offer better footing. Around 6 hours to Gilman’s Point, then 1.5 to 2 hours more to Uhuru Peak (Alt 19,341 ft / 5985 m), the highest free-standing mountain peak globally. Descend the same path, with a stop at Kibo Hut before descending to Horombo Huts for dinner and rest.

Day 5: Arusha

Start Altitude: 12,205 ft / 3720 m
End Altitude: 6,164 ft / 1879 m
Distance: 12 miles / 19 km
Time: 5-7 hours
Climate Zone: Heath / Afromontane Forest

Descend through heath and forest zones back to Marangu Gate. After lunch and farewells, transfer to your lodge for a refreshing shower. Later, a Tanzania Travel Company Representative will congratulate you, gather feedback, and address any remaining questions regarding your onward journey.

Tour Includes & Excludes

Tour Includes:

Park fees, (entry fee camping/hut fees & rescue fees crew fees)
18% VAT on tour fees & services
Three health and fresh meals
Professional and experienced mountain Guide
Professional and experienced cooks
Transportation to & from the airport
Transportation to & from the mountain gates
Enough number of porters for your luggage, food, water, and camping equipment
Food, shelters, and fair wages for the porters, cooks, and guides
Camping gears (sleeping tents, dining tents, tables, chairs, and cooking gear)
Radio and cell phone communication that help us to stay in contact within and outside the group therefore we can respond almost instantaneously to whatever issue that may arise
We provide our guides with professional first aid kits and pulse oximeters for daily updates on acclimatization progress
Assistance with the climbing permit procedure

Tour Excludes:

Personal porters
All international and domestic flights
Tourist Visas
Medical and Travel insurance
Tips to mountain crew
Mountain trekking gears e.g. walking poles (available for hire upon request)
Sleeping Bag (available for hire upon request)
A portable flush toilet with a toilet tent is extra (US$200 per toilet + toilet tent)
Others; Extra expenses as food or drinks separate from those described in the itinerary, satellite phone calls, transference fees, and other services not specified as included
Any other alterations to our itineraries
Emergency Oxygen

Have Any Question?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.

Sam Diah - Safari Expart

Book your dream Tanzania wildlife safari with sustainable local experts! Enjoy a lifetime thrill while supporting local communities and animal welfare. Start your adventure today with our custom itinerary

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Zoe K

2022-10-31

Kilimanjaro Lemosho route TTC were amazing throughout my trek to the Kilimanjaro summit in October 2022. Everything was organised so well but the really exceptional aspect was the team of local support staff and guide. AJ, Paul, Isaya, Joseph, Pascal, Renata and the 30 other fantastic people that carried, cooked, camped and cared for us. Absolutely loved every second, a trip of a lifetime, thank you 🙏

Henry S

2022-10-31

Once in a lifetime experience I climbed Kilimanjaro with the Tanzanian Travel Company (booked through Charity Challenge UK) in October 2022. Everything was superbly coordinated by TTC, who arranged everything from porters, transport, food, tents- pretty much everything we needed to get to the summit! All of the staff from the guides and porters were very friendly and their knowledge was unrivalled. Special mentions to our lead guide, Richard, who's advice was invaluable and the other guides and porters David, Eric and Joseph (there are too many to mention). Would definitely book again with TTC in the future.

Nicola D

2022-10-24

Excellent experience I just got back from climbing My Kilimanjaro on a trip organised by Charity Challenge in the UK. All the ground arrangements in Tanzania were done through Tanzania Travel Company and I would highly recommend. Staff were all excellent, knowledgeable and friendly. It was a great trip and I’m considering organising a holiday for the family with TTC in the future.

MbaleSaint

2022-08-26

Great company with excellent staff Climbed Kilimanjaro with the Tanzanian Travel Company at the end if July and the whole experience was superb. The guides, porters, cook, doctor & toilet man were unfailingly encouraging, helpful, cheerful and really seemed to enjoy their work. I would thoroughly recommend them.

PDatlen

2022-08-09

An adventure you won't forget! The whole experience from start to finish was awesome and I most certainly won't forget it. From the hotel to the staff and porters who made our trek possible, the food was tasty and plentiful, we all felt like part of the team and very well looked after.I definitely recommend doing the Lemosho Route for a greater chance of acclimatisation. The summit night was by far the hardest part but well worth the effort (even I got emotional). I would urge everybody looking to climb Kilimanjaro to definitely train for a good 4-5 months before attempting this challenge, it will only enhance the mammoth achievement.

Rod

2022-08-04

Fantastic time climbing Kilimanjaro thanks to TTC! I recently completed a climb of Kilimanjaro with a small group of 7, managed on behalf of Charity Challenge by Tanzania Travel Company. We had a fantastic (if gruelling) experience, and I cannot praise TTC highly enough. From the MD Sam and our chief guide Richard, through to every guide and porter who accompanied us (not forgetting Pius, our doctor), everyone combined the highest standards of professionalism with warmth and friendliness, and a genuine concern for both our well-being and our success in getting to the summit. Highly recommended.

Billy B

2022-07-19

Amazing family experience Excellent safari! Incredibly friendly and accommodating! I was having some difficulty finding a well priced thorough safari and was given a number by a family friend who highly recommended this safari company. As Tanzanians it’s rare for us to be able to see a safari but Samuel helped guide us through a plan for a truly unforgettable experience. We hide an amazingly well educated guide and driver Kamau who went out of his way to get us some truly amazing shots. At one point we were literally 2-3 meters away from 3 young male lions, I was in shock at what Kamau could point out. Food provided was excellent Tanzanian cuisine. My little brothers(8 yr)first safari and he had a fantastic time Highly recommend as a Tanzanian.

Suzie D

2022-07-15

Professional, organised, outstanding Tanzania travel company are a great company, incredibly professional and organised a comprehensive and well planned trip to Kilimanjaro. The communication and attention to detail were outstanding and I would highly recommend this company to any group heading to Tanzania. Suzie, International Mountain Leader (BAIML), Women with Altitude co-ordinator.

lisaappelbaum

2022-03-18

Excellent experience with TTC! Setting out to climb Mt Kilimanjaro was quite a challenge and the team at TTC made it a safe and enjoyable trip! They did an excellent job guiding us through each day of the climb. I also had the opportunity to go on a safari afterwards with a guide named Livingston and he did an absolutely fantastic job getting us close to the animals and knowing the best spots in the game drives. Highly recommend this incredible travel group!