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8-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the 5-day Marangu Route with huts

From $1,776 USD* / Beautiful Maundi Crater / 7 days
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8-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the 5-day Marangu Route with huts

8-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the 5-day Marangu Route with huts

The Marangu route is a popular route and also the cheapest. It is the only route that offers mountain huts instead of tents for the overnight stays. The route leads straight up to the summit and down again via the same route. Altitude changes per day are significant, which is why this route is only suitable for experienced climbers.

The ascent via the Marangu route takes a total of five days. However, it is recommended to add an extra day to give your body time to adjust to the high altitude. If you choose to do so, you can stay an extra night in Horombo huts on the fourth day and make an acclimatization hike. This extra day significantly increases your chances of reaching the summit.

FAQ

Absolutely, Tanzania is a safe and welcoming destination for travelers. The country offers a hospitable environment, especially in tourist areas like Arusha, and you can explore its beautiful landscapes and wildlife with confidence. Local people are friendly, and safety measures, such as keeping an eye on your belongings, are always advisable, just as you would in any other part of the world. Tanzania’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people make it a fantastic place to visit.

Absolutely, Tanzania is renowned as one of the prime destinations to encounter the Big Five. These magnificent creatures—lion, leopard, elephant, rhinoceros, and buffalo—can be observed in their natural habitats, making Tanzania a preferred choice for wildlife enthusiasts.

At Tanzania Specialist, we’re all about co-creating your perfect journey. When you plan your Tanzania adventure with us, you’re not just booking a trip; you’re embarking on a personalized experience. We start by understanding your wishes and preferences, and we won’t stop until every aspect of your journey aligns perfectly with your vision. Our team works closely with you to ensure that your entire trip is tailor-made to your satisfaction. And for added convenience, we offer a selection of our most popular Tanzania trips and safaris as a starting point for your consideration.

Our safaris in Tanzania offer an opportunity to explore the country’s incredible wildlife and stunning landscapes. We specialize in private safaris, which means you have a 4×4 Landcruiser or jeep all to yourselves. You have the flexibility to decide when the safari starts and ends, and our experienced guides can help you make that decision on the day of your adventure. Whether you want to witness the animals at their most active during sunrise and sunset when temperatures are pleasant, or if you fancy ending the day by the pool, it’s entirely up to you. Tanzania’s diverse wildlife is active at various times of the day, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities to spot the animals in action.

Many travelers ask us when the best time is to visit Tanzania. The answer is … there is not one right answer. It depends on what you want to see, where you want to go, your budget and interests. Please find a comprehensive guide on when is the best time to visit Tanzania here.

Dry Season (June to October & December to February): These months are ideal for safaris and beach visits due to the pleasant weather and excellent wildlife viewing opportunities. However, expect higher hotel rates and more crowded parks and attractions.

Mid Season (March & November): This period offers a balance of moderate hotel rates and fewer tourists. The weather can be variable, and some attractions might have limited availability (due to rains), but you still get great wildlife sightings and a more relaxed safari experience.

Wet Season (April & May): Perfect for budget-conscious travelers, the low season features the lowest hotel rates and the least crowded parks. The heavy rains make the scenery vibrant and lush, but travel plans can be affected by the weather.

Video Introduction
8-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the 5-day Marangu Route with huts
Low season
(April 1st - May 19th)
2 persons
4 persons
6 persons
USD 2,111.13
USD 1,784.43
USD 1,776.25
Mid season
(the rest of the year)
2 persons
4 persons
6 persons
USD 2,182.68
USD 1,844.97
USD 1,836.48
High season
(July + August + September + 20 Dec - 10 Jan)
2 persons
4 persons
6 persons
USD 2,272.15
USD 1,920.57
USD 1,911.75
* Indicative costs per person, excluding international airline tickets
What's Included
Porters who carry your luggage
Private cook speaking fluently English
Private guide speaking fluently English
Chairs and tables for breakfast, lunch and dinner
High quality tents (including dinner-tent)
Rescue fee (up to 11.483 feet above sea level by car)
Park fees
Pickup and transfer airport
What's Excluded
Accommodation on day of arrival and departure
Tips for guides, porters and cooks
International flights (can be booked for you on request)
Travel insurance
Visas

Itinerary

Day 1 : Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
Day 2 : Marangu Route (1/5) | Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) - Mandara Huts (2,720 m/8,923 ft)
Day 3 : Marangu Route (2/5) | Mandara Huts (2,720 m/8,923 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)
Day 4 : Marangu Route (3/5) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) - Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft)
Day 5 : Marangu Route (4/5) | Kibo Huts (4,720 m/15,485 ft) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)
Day 6 : Marangu Route (5/5) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) - Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) - hotel
Day 7 : Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Day 1

Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport our Tanzania Specialist guide is there waiting for you. He then drops you off at your hotel, where you can relax from your flight.

Preparation for your climb: You meet your guide before the start of your climb, where he briefs you and offers advice on what to wear, what to pack, and other important tips to make your climb as comfortable as possible.

Accommodations:
Silver
Ahadi Lodge
Gold
Arusha Villa
Platinum
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Day 2

Marangu Route (1/5) | Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) - Mandara Huts (2,720 m/8,923 ft)

The first morning, your guide takes you from the hotel to Marangu Gate. The first part leads you through coffee and banana plantations and then you cross some untouched rainforest. After a seven-hour hike, you reach the Mandara huts. In the afternoon you have the option to go to the Maundi crater, a volcanic crater near the Mandara Huts or you can just rest and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. As this is your first day at this altitude, remember to drink plenty of water!

Accommodations:
Silver
Ahadi Lodge
Gold
Arusha Villa
Platinum
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Day 3

Marangu Route (2/5) | Mandara Huts (2,720 m/8,923 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)

From Mandara Huts, the landscape slowly changes from cloud forests to grass plains with some heather and other vegetation. The higher you go, the less vegetation can be seen and the more it starts to look like a lunar landscape. The air is also becoming thinner now. A few hours after lunch you can make an acclimatization hike with an ascent of 200 meters and then return to Horombo Huts for dinner and overnight.

Accommodations:
Silver
Ahadi Lodge
Gold
Arusha Villa
Platinum
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Day 4

Marangu Route (3/5) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) - Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft)

Today your hike leads through a kind of Alpine desert to a point between the two famous mountain peaks Kibo and Mawenzi. The hike is heavy and takes you through open landscapes with less shelter. You arrive at Kibo camp for lunch, after which you can relax in preparation for the big day ahead!

Accommodations:
Silver
Ahadi Lodge
Gold
Arusha Villa
Platinum
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Day 5

Marangu Route (4/5) | Kibo Huts (4,720 m/15,485 ft) - Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) - Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)

In the middle of the night, you start your ascent to Uhuru Peak, with your flashlight. The biggest challenge lies in the first part of this climb until you reach Gilman’s Point. From here, Uhuru Peak is not far and is relatively easy to reach. Once at the summit, enjoy a beautiful sunrise, which is quite impressive at this height! After celebrating this achievement at the top, your descent begins through the Kibo Huts Camp down to the Horombo huts for dinner and overnight. In total, you are on your feet for about twelve hours today, so prepare yourself for a hard but rewarding day!

Accommodations:
Silver
Ahadi Lodge
Gold
Arusha Villa
Platinum
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Day 6

Marangu Route (5/5) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) - Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) - hotel

On this final day on the mountain, you descend to Marangu gate, the exit of Kilimanjaro National Park. This is a wonderful five to six-hour walk through the beautiful forests of Kilimanjaro. Your guide then takes you to your hotel, where you get a well-deserved rest.

Accommodations:
Silver
Ahadi Lodge
Gold
Arusha Villa
Platinum
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge

Day 7

Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Sadly, this is the end of your holiday and the time to go home has arrived. Enjoy your last hours in Tanzania before our driver comes to pick you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home. Still longing for more? It’s also possible to add a few days of safari or a beach holiday to your Kilimanjaro adventure!

Accommodations:
Silver
Ahadi Lodge
Gold
Arusha Villa
Platinum
Ngare Sero Mountain Lodge
Make your dream trip come true with Tanzania Specialist
At Tanzania Specialist, you can customize your trip. Our sample itineraries are adjustable to your preferences. Our specialists work together with you to create your dream journey!