Climb Mt Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route – 5 or 6 days
The Marangu Route is the only route up Mount Kilimanjaro were you‘ll sleep in Mountain huts instead of tents and the only route that takes the same route up as it does down, usually in a total of 6 days.
It can be shortened to 5 days but this cuts out a very important altitude day which we strongly recommend in order to prepare yourself for the summit, the 6th day allows time for side trips for crucial altitude gain, climb high, sleep low scenario – a major factor in your summit bid becoming successful.
The Marangu route is an extremely popular one as it attracts a lot of climbers of all ages and climbing experience. Group sizes tend to be bigger as there is the social element of a climb and the fact that parties can pretty much book (through an operator only) a hut for themselves.
Add in the fact you have a hut and a foam mattress (provided) at the end of a day to lay your head as opposed to a tent making this the most manicured of routes due to the human traffic it gets with very open kept pathways as you make your way between each hut (a possible down-fall is that it can be crowded and noisy in the huts once one person wakes up – or if a group is returning from a successful summit bid and are in party mode!!).
Day-to-day overview of the Marangu Route
Bush2Beach offers the Marangu route both in 5 and 6 days; depending on your budget, preferences and available time. The route is the same for both options with the difference being one extra day (day 3) at altitude. Again, we strongly advise you to opt for this extra day which does not just give you the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the mountain but also greatly increases your chances of summiting.
| day | alt* | description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1,600-2,700 | Depart Arusha for Marangu Gate, after the gate fees payments, you will start climbing to Mandara Hut through thick forest. Picnic lunch on the way. This walking will take 3-5hours. Altitude is 2700mts. Dinner & Overnight at Mandara Camp. |
| 2 | 2,700-3,700 | After breakfast, with picnic lunch boxes, begin the climb up through giant Alpine forest and across moor lands onto the slopes of the Mawenzi maasif, lunch on the way. The walk will take 4-7 hours before you reach Horombo hut. This is a long day about 14 km but taken at a slow easy. Altitude is 3700mts. Dinner & Overnight. |
| 3 | 3,700 | Altitude Day: Relaxing breakfast. Spend the day acclimatizing at Horombo Hut. With picnic lunch head off on afternoon walk with guide to gain altitude greater than that of Horombo. Return for Dinner & Overnight. Horombo hut. |
| 4 | 3,700-4,700 | After breakfast, continue with the climb towards the Kibo Hut. Another fairly log day with 13km to cover before you reach Kibo Hut. Lunch will be on the way. The walk will take 5-7 hours. Altitude here is 4700mts. Dinner & Overnight at Kibo Hut. |
| 5 | 4,700-5,896-3,700 | Early wake up call in preparation for the summit attempt. A slow steady pace must be used for the last part of you ascent to Uhuru peak, if all goes to plan you should reach the summit in time to catch the sunrise. After the victory dance and pictures have been taken begin the descent to Horombo Hut. The walk will take 7-8 hours with rest stops. Altitude is 5896mts. Dinner & Overnight at Horombo Hut. |
| 6 | 3,700-1,600 | After breakfast, with picnic lunch boxes descend to Marangu Gate. Here you will meet our vehicle and you will be transferred back to Arusha. |
* altitude is specified in meters above sea-level, at the start and end of each day.
Pricing for this climb
*Pricing valid for season 2012
| Price in US$, per person | Number of people | |||||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | |
| Marangu Route 5 days | $1,685 | $1,310 | $1,240 | $1,230 | $1,195 | $1,175 | $1,145 | $1140 |
| Marangu Route 6 days | $1,950 | $1,525 | $1,445 | $1,435 | $1,440 | $1,380 | $1,355 | $1,340 |
This price is inclusive of:
- All Kilimanjaro climbing, camp, hut and rescue fees.
- Trained guide(s), assistant guide(s), mountain chef(s) and porter crews.
- Return transfers to and from the mountain
- Emergency evacuation cover FAR
- All mountain camp equipment (see equipment list for personal climbing clothing and gear)
- Full board meal plan as stated to day to day itinerary, hot beverages and filtered/boiled drinking water whilst on the mountain.
Excluded are:
- Tips for the guide(s), chef(s) and porter crews (see here for an indication).
- Drinks, and items of a personal nature
Options for this climb
- An extra day of acclimatisation – highly recommended for anyone coming from ‘lower ground’; spend a day swimming and relaxing in the lush surroundings of Maji Moto, a hot spring oasis in the middle of the Tanzanian bush, with views of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru!
- After a successful summit of the world’s highest free-standing mountain, what better way to relax your tired feet then by enjoying the white sands and blue skies of Zanzibar island?
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