Six days on the southern side of Mount Kilimanjaro is all it takes to reach those snowy peaks. But can you handle the Marangu route?
The Marangu route is Kilimanjaro’ most popular trekking route because of its slightly shorter and more manageable path. The sleeping huts might have something to do with it too. There are no tents on the Marangu route you see, so if you’re more of a glamper than a camper, this one’s for you.
Whichever approach you take to reach the summit of the Roof of Africa, get ready to feel something hitherto unknown. Because there really is nothing like being 5,895m up among the clouds and saying, “World’s highest free-standing mountain? Completed it mate.”
The 64km-long route will certainly test your calves and your character but this is a challenge you’ll never forget. Is it time to tick Kilimanjaro off your Bucket List?
Read our article ‘Why Kilimanjaro is the best Seven summit to climb – Click Here
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It’s in the name: the Marangu route is like, well, a meringue.
It’s popular, it has a peak, it’s inexpensive and it’s easy to top. Bit less cream on the Tanzanian monolith though.
And when we say “easy” we don’t really mean easy. Who really means what they say these days?
Any climb up the Roof of Africa is going to be tough. But the fact is that the Marangu route is the shortest and least technical of the routes we offer up Mount Kilimanjaro, taking just six days to complete.
So if you’ve got the itch to climb, but you’ve never done it before, this could well be the adventure you’re looking for.
Not only will you understand what it means to experience Kili in all her unrivalled glory, but you could find yourself face-to-face with incredible creatures like Colobus monkeys and four-striped grass mice.
You’ll be well and truly looked after during your adventure too. Your amazing porters will set up camp for you, cook you three delicious meals to fuel up on every day and do everything they can to get you to Uhuru Peak.
So if you want to satisfy your itch to climb and do it in style in one of the most epic and beautiful places on earth…
If you’re keen to achieve something unforgettable and prove that the world’s highest free-standing mountain isn’t too much for you…
And if you want to experience an incredible collection of ecosystems, environments and creatures with a group of people who’ll quickly feel like family…
The Kili Marangu climb is for you. Got those walking boots ready?
The Kilimanjaro Marangu Trekking Route Itinerary
Day 1
Departure
We depart the UK, usually flying from Heathrow or Gatwick.
Day 2
ARRIVE IN TANZANIA
We transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to Weru Weru Lodge.
Day 3
A CHANCE TO EXPLORE
Today you will have the opportunity to head into Moshi Town for a tour in the morning.
In the afternoon we will head to Machame School. A school we have very close connections with.
Before dinner you will have your trek briefing with your UK and Local Guides.
Day 4
DRIVE TO MARANGU PARK GATE, VISIT MAUNDI CRATER
After breakfast on the first day of the trek, we’ll load the kit up, and you’ll be driven to Marangu Park Gate. Fingers crossed we’ll get to see the Colobus Monkeys as we journey upwards! Generally, the walk takes about half a day. Visit Maundi Crater where there are some brilliant wild flowers and superb views of Kibo and Mawenzi.
Day 5
TREK TO HOROMBO HUTS
The next day we’ll start moving out of the forest and before too long we’ll notice the Kifinika Hill on our left and intermittent views of Mawenzi and Kibo too. We’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Kambi Ya Taabu. We’ll arrive at Horombo Huts in the middle of the afternoon, spend some time chilling out and then have dinner together.
Day 6
ACCLIMATISATION DAY AT HOROMBO
On the third day of the climb, we have an acclimatisation day. Generally, we recommend the ‘saddle walk’ – the views of Kibo and Mawenzi are amazing and the ascent and descent to Zebra Rock is just what your body needs.
If we set off nice and early we’ll still have the rest of the afternoon to relax and sort out kit. Remember to bring a book for this day!
Day 7
TREK TO KIBO HUT
Climbing through the moorland forest then alpine desert you will reach ‘the saddle’ between the twin peaks of Mawnzi and Kibo. Before Kibo you will come to Jiwe la ukoyo’.
From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo Hut (4703m). Take a well-earned rest to recharge your batteries ahead of the night’s summit attempt. Purify your water, put new batteries in your camera and head tourch, pack your snacks and get ready.
Day 8
KILIMANJARO SUMMIT DAY!
On the fifth day of the climb, it’s time to get serious. You’ll be woken at midnight, and we’ll be trekking through the night. It gives us time to try and reach the summit and still descend in the daylight. Remember to layer up – it WILL be cold, but you’ll need to remove layers later in the day.
The first half of this ascent is on steep winding rocky path. We’ll maintain a very slow, but steady pace to reach the summit. As we near the crater rim, the sun will rise. We recommend that you pause to enjoy what many people consider the finest sunrise on earth.
From Gilman’s Point, it takes another 1½ to 2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5895m), although the gradients are much gentler and terrain easier. Standing on the summit will have made the last 10-12 hours worthwhile!
Today will probably have been the longest day of your life but quite possible the best! After hitting the summit, we head back down to Horombo Hut for a well-earned rest!
Day 9
RETURN TO MARANGU PARK GATE
Day six of the climb is the final day on the mountain. We head from Horombo back to the Marangu Park Gate. We take the short drive back to the hotel for a well-earned HOT shower and celebratory evening meal.
Day 10
Rest day
Today is a rest day. Take your time to relax or explore the town.
Day 11
RETURN FLIGHTS TO THE UK
Depart back to UK or continue on your adventure with a safari. You can book your extensions directly through us.
Food and Accomodation for Kilimanjaro Marangu Trekking Route
Day 1
Flight
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 2
Twin room
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 3
Twin room
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 4
Mandara Hut
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 5
Horombo Hut
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 6
Horombo Hut
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 7
Kibo Hut
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 8
Horombo Hut
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 9
Twin room
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 10
Twin room
BreakfastLunchDinner
Day 11
Flight
BreakfastLunchDinner
Reviews about the Kilimanjaro Marangu Trekking Route trip
Here’s what some of our awesome customers had to say:
“Working with The Bucket List Company was easy. All the information was provided to us, and we felt so prepared. Any questions we had on equipment or training were answered straight away.
The trip itself was amazing. All of the group were great and the in-country guides were superb. Keith’s knowledge of Tanzania and Kilimanjaro is second to none. With all the logistics in place, the group reached the summit as planned.
We are both looking forward to our next trip. And in the future I will be heading back to Tanzania and climbing Kilimanjaro again!”
Rebecca and Lee Purvis Kilimanjaro
Just got back from an awesome time in Tanzania climbing Kilimanjaro. Can’t recommend this company enough. Keith and the team from Day 1 kept me updated with everything. This really is the all under one roof service. All I had to do was pack and turn up at the airport!! I wouldn’t use any other company for an adventure holiday now! Will be booking my next one very soon!
Glenn Westwood Mount Kilimanjaro climb
“2013 was the year I decided that I wanted to climb Kilimanjaro. It was going to be the trip of a lifetime, and I wanted to make sure I chose the right company to help me achieve my goal.
I’d had several recommendations from friends, so I contacted Keith and his team. From that moment to my first step on the summit, I could not have asked for a better company to have made my dream come true. Keith and his team provided the highest attention to detail, and there was always someone to pick up the phone during the run up to the trip to answer any questions I had – no matter how silly!
During the expedition, Keith was with us every step of the way, offering encouragement and support through some of the toughest hours of my life! I could not recommend The Bucket List Company enough on my return. Unfortunately, this did not work out so well for me, because in 2015 my sister decided she wanted to undertake the same challenge… with me!
So in September 2015 I summited Africa’s highest peak for the second time – a proud moment. Again, we were supported by The Bucket List Company.
My sister and I are planning more adventures over the next few years, and the flexible payment options that The Bucket List Company offer mean we can turn those dreams into some more fantastic memories to add to our collection. I would never consider another company to organise my expeditions now, and I would happily put my life in their hands. I cannot thank them enough for opening up a world of possibility.”
Stephanie Knight Mount Kilimanjaro climb
“If you want to realise your dreams, the team at The Bucket List Company need to be your travel companions. From the ease of booking, preparing kit lists and training encouragement to the summiting of Mt Kilimanjaro, the team are there to support you 100% of the way. The knowledge and in country support was amazing. We came back a team of successful climbers, full of knowledge and experiences of Tanzania and her wonders.
We laughed (a lot) and we cried; we sang and danced and we ate extremely well. They even managed pizza and chips halfway up the mountain! Everyone became one big family, relaxed and laid back, each of us supporting everyone’s ambition to get to the top. A truly life changing experience. We are already planning our next trip with Keith and the team.”
Andrea Shaw
WOW what an amazing trip of a lifetime. I can’t recommend The Bucket List Company enough, I took home from this trip so much more than I ever thought I would and all my expectations were exceeded.
Keith, Whitey and all the guides and porters worked so hard to ensure the group had an amazing time and managed to reach the summit. Can’t wait to book my next trip with them.
Tara Hall Mount Kilimanjaro climb
Having never traveled abroad before I chose The Bucket List Company because they deal with everything start to finish making life really simple and stress free.
Keith and his team are clearly experts in the world of adventure and I can’t recommend them enough. Kilimanjaro was fantastic and I’m planning my next adventure already.
Joe Butler Mount Kilimanjaro climb
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Three Day Safari
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Duration: 4 daysRegion: Tanzania
Zanzibar Beach Escape
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Don’t underestimate Kilimanjaro!
Mount Kilimanjaro has everything. Amazing scenery, a plethora of wildlife, a vast array of ecosystems and environments to trek through and, most importantly for you, a good success rate at the summit, Uhuru Peak.
But don’t be fooled into underestimating Kili.
She is a mountain, you know. And that means it’ll take some serious preparation to get yourself ready to scale this majestic monolith.
The odd childhood ramble isn’t going to help you here.
Start by making sure your walking boots are up to scratch, or getting some newbies well in advance of this adventure.
Then start training. While you do it, always wear the boots you’re planning to use on Kili, or you’ll mash your feet up on day 1. Not a good way to begin.
Treat yourself to plenty of long hikes before you head to Kilimanjaro, or join us at one of our famous boot camp training weekends in the run-up to your adventure. It’s all about building your fitness and setting yourself up for a successful summit attempt.
You don’t really want to go all that way and fail to reach the top, do you?
On the mountain herself, do everything you can to conserve energy. Bring a sleeping bag and under-mattress with the highest possible comfort rating to get a good night’s sleep after each day’s trek. And fuel up on the porridge, eggs and sausages that your porters will cook each morning before heading out.
You’ll enjoy each day’s trekking a whole lot more and you’ll have a much better shot at getting that all-important snap of you with your arms raised in triumph and a huge, satisfied smile on your face once you’ve successfully scaled Uhuru Peak.
Pics or it didn’t happen, right?
And who’d blame you if you wanted to see more of Tanzania once you’ve made it to the top of Kilimanjaro? Just ask if you fancy tacking on some amazing extensions to your adventure.
Now that you know how to prepare, check out the itinerary, chuck any questions you have in our direction, book your spot and get ready to tick an incredible experience off your Bucket List.
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Day 8
Day 9
Day 10
Day 11
