Marangu Route
Marangu Route 6-Day Itinerary
The Marangu route can take anywhere between 5-6 days to complete. However, it is suggested to avoid the 5-day trek as the quick ascent may reduce your chances of reaching the summit.
The main itinerary difference between the Marangu 5-day and 6-day route is the additional acclimatisation day.
Previous trekking experience is highly recommended, as the days will feature 6-8 hours hiking with daily ascents of 900m to 1,000m, perhaps with the odd day ascending around 1,100m to 1,200m.
You will need complete confidence in your ability to trek for many days over difficult terrain. Extremes of altitude and weather may be encountered and a degree of physical and mental stamina will be essential to complete the hike as the days will be tiring.
- Distance: The Marangu route is 72 kilometres (45 miles).
- Location: The route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast. The trail itself starts at Marangu gate.
- Height: The route reaches the summit of Kilimanjaro at the Uhuru peak reaching a height of 5,895 metres (19,341 feet).
Trail conditions: During the hike, you will travel through misty forests, moorlands, a desertlike alpine area in the Saddle, and rocky paths and snow when you are near the summit.
As for scenery, of course, the Marangu route is still breathtakingly beautiful. However, it is considered to be less scenic, as the ascent and descent travel along the same path and is sometimes crowded.
The trail is well maintained due to its popularity and will have you travelling through forests or the Saddle (a high-altitude desert) before reaching the Kibo Hut.
| DAY | START | ALTITUDE (M/FT) | FINISH | ALTITUDE (M/FT) | TIME (HRS) | DISTANCE (KM/MI) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marangu Gate | 1,843m/ 6,046ft | Mandara Hut | 2,700m/ 8,858ft | 4-5 | 8km/ 5mi |
| 2 | Mandara Hut | 2,700m/ 8,858ft | Horombo Hut | 3,720m/ 12,205ft | 6-8 | 12km/ 7mi |
| 3 | Horombo Hut | 3,720m/ 12,205ft | Mawenzi Ridge | 4,315m/ 14,160ft | 2-3 | 5km/ 3mi |
| Mawenzi Ridge | 4,315m/ 14,160ft | Horombo Hut | 3,720m/ 12,205ft | 1-2 | 5km/ 3mi | |
| 4 | Horombo Hut | 3,720m/ 12,205ft | Kibo Hut | 4,703m/ 15,430ft | 6-8 | 10km/ 6mi |
| 5 | Kibo Hut | 4,703m/ 15,430ft | Uhuru Peak | 5,895m/ 19,341ft | 6-8 | 6km/ 6mi |
| Uhuru Peak | 5,895m/ 19,341ft | Horombo Hut | 3,720m/ 12,205ft | 4-5 | 16km/ 10mi | |
| 6 | Horombo Hut | 3,720m/ 12,205ft | Marangu Gate | 1,843m/ 6,046ft | 5-7 | 20km/ 12mi |