TRIP OVERVIEW
The renowned Kilimanjaro Marangu Route, spanning 6 days, continues to captivate numerous visitors seeking an unforgettable experience. The journey to Kilimanjaro involves shared huts with bunk beds for accommodation, and the ascent culminates at Gilman’s Point on the Kibo Volcano’s rim. The return journey follows the same path of ascent.
Day 1: Mandara Huts
- Starting Elevation: 6,464FT / 1970M
- Ending Elevation: 8,924FT / 2720M
- Distance: 5 Miles / 8KM
- Time: 3-5 Hours
- Climate Zone: Afromontane Forest
After breakfast, depart by vehicle to Kilimanjaro National Park. Upon reaching the park gate, your crew will finalize preparations. After completing formalities, begin the hike from Marangu Gate. A picnic lunch is enjoyed en route, and by afternoon, you arrive at Mandara Hut. Optionally, a short walk to Maundi Crater is available in the afternoon.
Day 2: Horombo Huts
- Starting Elevation: 8,924FT / 2720M
- Ending Elevation: 12,205FT / 3720M
- Distance: 7 Miles / 11KM
- Time: 5-7 Hours
- Climate Zone: Afromontane Forest
Following breakfast, set out for Horombo Huts. Given the significant altitude gain, maintaining a gentle pace is recommended to gradually acclimate. Arrive at the camp by mid-afternoon to relax. Two nights are spent here for altitude adjustment.
Day 3: Horombo Huts (Acclimatization Day)
- Starting Elevation: 12,205FT / 3720M
- Ending Elevation: 12,205FT / 3720M
- Distance: 6 Miles / 10KM
- Time: 4-5 Hours
- Climate Zones: Afromontane Forest / Heath
Today is dedicated to acclimatization, allowing flexibility in its length. To enhance acclimatization, a hike to higher altitudes towards Mawenzi Volcano is undertaken. Clear weather provides spectacular views from the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. The afternoon sees a return to Horombo Huts for relaxation.
Day 4: Kibo Hut
- Starting Elevation: 12,205FT / 3720M
- Ending Elevation: 15,486FT / 4720M
- Distance: 6 Miles / 9KM
- Time: 4-6 Hours
- Climate Zones: Heath / Alpine Desert
An early start leads to the final hut before the summit attempt. Progress to Kibo Hut involves collecting water at the last water point and ascending the saddle. The alpine zone unfolds towards the base of Kibo. Reach Kibo Hut by mid-afternoon to rest before the evening ascent. After an early dinner, rest ensues before the nighttime summit departure.
Day 5: Summit Bid / Horombo Huts
• Starting Elevation: 15,486FT / 4720M
• Ending Elevation: 12,205FT / 3720M
• Distance: 13 Miles / 21KM
• Time: 13-17 Hours
• Climate Zones: Alpine Desert / Arctic / Heath
Commence the ascent towards the peak from Kibo Hut before midnight. The nighttime start aids firm footing on scree sections and maximizes chances for a clear summit attempt. The journey to Gilman’s Point takes around 6 hours, followed by an additional 1.5 to 2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak (Alt 19,341ft, 5985m). Descend along the same route, with a stop at Kibo Hut for rest. Return to Horombo Huts by evening for dinner and rest.
Day 6: Arusha
- Starting Elevation: 12,205FT / 3720M
- Ending Elevation: 6,164FT / 1879M
- Distance: 12 Miles / 19KM
- Time: 5-7 Hours
- Climate Zone: Heath / Afromontane Forest
Descend through the heath zone and forest to Marangu Gate. After the final formalities, lunch, and bidding farewell to your crew, a transfer takes you back to your lodge for a well-deserved shower. Later, a Tanzania Travel Company Representative will visit to 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.
- +255 754 294 365
- info@tanzaniatravelcompany.com
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
Noah K
2024-02-25
Use This Local Tour Operator! Sam is Great!
Sam was an incredible host, and he delivered a trip that exceeded our wildest expectations. He was extremely attentive, and it was clear that our business meant a lot to him. It also felt so much better to use a local tour operator rather than a travel agent based overseas. Tanzania is a magical place, and they deserve to have the money from safaris flow through their own economy. We would definitely use Sam again!
ElanaK1
2024-02-23
Locally owned and run tour operator
We had a very large family trip to Tanzania that Sam helped make happen. He was available before during and after our trip to respond to our questions and to help make sure we were having the experience we were looking for. We met two of his beautiful children while we were in Arusha and at the very end, we had the privilege of meeting his lovely wife. This made us feel so connected to him and we felt so good about having this personal and special experience rather than have booked with a company where management sat in an office overseas. He also sent us on safari with two outstanding guides - Livingstone and Hosea. They really took care of us and we felt privileged to spend time with them as well. It is not easy to find a local tour operator and if this is something you value while planning a trip to Tanzania, I encourage you to reach out to Sam.
Zach K
2024-02-21
So glad I went local! 10/10 amazing experience
This was the trip of a lifetime. I was responsible for planning our (9 person!) family trip to Tanzania, which was exciting... but a lot of pressure! It was important to us to use a local agency, locally-owned operators, and locally-owned lodges throughout our stay. Sam was a godsend. We worked together to choose great destinations, lodges, and even a hot air balloon safari. Sam is the head of the local tour operators association and knows everything there is to know about safari in Tanzania. He made himself very available - we must have exchanged hundreds of whatsapps and dozens of emails in preparation for our trip. When we arrived in Arusha, I was extra glad we had chosen to work with someone based locally. We had a lovely BBQ dinner with Sam and his family before heading out on our 10 day safari. During the trip, Sam was in frequent communication with our guides to make sure that everything was going well. When we flew from Serengeti back to Arusha, Sam and his wife met us for lunch before sending us off. The trip itself was unbelievable. Our guides, Hoseah and Livingstone, were seasoned veterans. We saw every safari animal I could have dreamed of - plus some I didn't even know existed! I'm glad I took lots of photos, but not sure I needed to - these memories will last a lifetime!
Yoni K
2024-02-14
Amazing Safari
We had a wonderful experience working with Sam and our guides Hosea and Livingstone. Having been born and raised in Tanzania, Sam has deep knowledge of the culture and country. We saw the big 5 as well as dozens of other animals, all close-up. Was an unforgettable experience!
MKGIMD
2024-02-11
Superb Safari Experience!
Our large family just had an unforgettable Safari adventure thanks to Sam and his amazing staff. Our guides were knowledgeable and professional. The sites we saw over these 10 days were simply spectacular! We learned so much about plants, animals and Tanzanian culture. We were committed to choosing a local company and we are so glad that we chose Tanzanian Travel & Safari Company. Sam was with us every step of the way – during the months prior to our journey and all throughout our Safari adventure. He was invaluable in booking many of our accommodations. He truly cared about our experience. I strongly urge you to reach out to Sam when you are planning your own African adventure.
Nan Z
2024-02-10
An Amazing Safari Experience
Our family of 9 had an amazing Safari experience thanks to Sam, Livingstone and Hosea. It is hard to say which destination was the best between Tarangire, Ngorogoro Crater and the Serengeti. The animals, the birds, the landscape, the weather and the lovely staff in each location made the experience one of a lifetime. Our guides were very knowledgeable, accomodating, flexible, and driven to meet our needs. They helped us to see the Big Five and so much more. I recommend this tour company.
327nomad
2023-02-12
Fabulous!
TTC were instrumental in putting together a rather ambitious hiking/climbing/camping adventure for me . It involved climbing Mount Longido, wild camping there and hiking sections of the Maasai plains followed by climbing Mount Meru and camping on Mount Meru too! Due to logistics and the fact that Mount Longido had been unvisited since pre pandemic, meant it was truly raw, unspoiled and wild! A brilliant experience for myself of course but it wasn't without it's challenges for my amazing support team ( my mountain family! ). Mount Meru was another amazing experience. Having climbed Mount Kilimanjaro a number of years ago, personally I found Mount Meru more beautiful and definitely not a "cake walk"....it was a true challenge but very rewarding. Summit night was tough....! Camping on Mount Meru also contributed to the uniqueness of my adventure. Thank you Sam and my incredible mountain family for making my madcap trip a reality.....and such fun!
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.
