Mount Kilimanjaro Trekking in 5 days via the Marangu route
Get to the top of Kilimanjaro in just 5 days via the easiest path, the Marangu route with one of our certified mountain guides.
Group
East African Mountains
5 Days
Jan - Mar, Jun - Dec
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Get to the top pf Mount Kilimanjaro via the easy Marangu route in just 5 day.
- Explore the amazing flora and fauna of the area on your way.
- The route offers a stay in comfortable mountain huts instead of camps.
Description
Apart from being the oldest route, the Marangu Route is also considered as the easiest path to the summit. So, join us on this amazing expedition as we take you to the highest point in Africa in just 5 days!
Located in the Kilimanjaro National Park, Mount Kilimanjaro (5,895 m) is the highest mountain in Africa and is a popular climbing destination for many hikers.
Out of the available routes, Marangu is well developed and offers a fairly constant climb. It is also known as the Coca-Cola route and is the only route that offers a stay in comfortable mountain huts instead of camps.
We’ll begin the journey from Arusha and head to the Marangu gate. Here, after the necessary paperwork, we’ll set on our trail. Passing through dense rainforest, we’ll get to Mandara hut and Horombo Hut the following days. Here, you will notice a change in vegetation with forest giving way to moorland.
Horombo Hut offers spectacular views of the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo and the Masai steppe. Continuing further, we’ll get to Kibo Hut and take rest to prepare for the summit hike the next day.
The following day, starting just past midnight while it is still dark**,** we’ll scale to Gilman’s Point just in time to see a beautiful sunrise. From there, a good hike of about 1- 2 hours will take us to Uhuru Peak, the top of Kilimanjaro.
The summit offers exceptional views of the neighboring peaks. After enjoying our time, we’ll descend via Mandara and get back to the Marangu gate to end this thrilling trip.
Send a message to book your seat on this exciting adventure in Tanzania. We’ll be happy to guide you. You can also ascend the peak via the Machame route.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Transportation start and back
- Permit and entrance fees
- Porters
- Luggage transfer
- Tents
- Sleeping pad
- Snacks
- Clean drinkable water
Price details
- The climb cost includes:
- Transfers:
- • Return transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport to accommodation in Moshi;
- • Return transfer from accommodation in Moshi to the entry gate into Kilimanjaro National Park.
- Entry fees:
- • Park Fees: all park fees collected by Kilimanjaro National Park (conservation fees, camping fees, crew fees, vehicle fee, rescue fee and all others).
- Accommodation:
- • Accommodation at 3* hotel one night before and one night after the expedition. You will have all for a comfortable stay friendly staff, clean rooms, Wi-Fi, restaurant and swimming pool;
- • Tented accommodation on Mount Kilimanjaro (modern comfortable 4season North Face VE-25 tents);
- Please note: by default, you will share a room and a tent with your travel companion. If you travel solo on a group expedition, we will room you with a samesex participant. Single supplement is available upon request.
- Meals:
- • Breakfast in the hotel before and after the hike;
- • All meals on the hike. You will find delicious energyrich meals on our mountain menus. Our professional chefs will prepare assorted soups, garnishes, several types of fish and meat, fresh fruit and vegetables. Vegetarian/gluten-free/halal options are available at no extra cost;
- • All drinks on the hike (coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water).
- Hiking and safety equipment:
- • 4inch (10-cm) thick and comfortable sleeping mats;
- • All group equipment (dining tent, table, chairs, crockery and cutlery);
- • Oxygen cylinders and oximeters;
- • Complete medical kits including Diamox.
- Climbing crew:
- • Professional guides licensed by Kilimanjaro National Park. All guides are holder of Wilderness First Responder certification. All of them have 7+years of successful experience;
- • Dedicated support crew (assistant guides, camp master, porters, cooks, etc.).
- Taxes:
- • 18% VAT, 1% TDL and 0.3% Service Levy. Kiliholidays is an honest and responsible tour operator working in full compliance with the tax law of the United Republic of Tanzania.
- The climb cost excludes:
- • International flights;
- • Tips (250300 USD per climber for the whole mountain crew);
- • Visa fee (100 USD for American citizens and 50 USD for all others);
- • Personal gear rentals;
- • Lunch and dinner at the hotel (before and after the climb);
- • Portable toilets (if required 250 USD per unit, one can be shared between 3 people);
- • Mountaineering insurance. You'll need special insurance for climbing Kilimanjaro that covers highaltitude trekking up to 6000 m.
Itinerary
Day 0: Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport – JRO Arusha
We’ll receive you from Kilimanjaro International Airport, and transfer you to Tulia Hotel and Spa (or similar in Arusha). In the evening, we’ll brief you about the pre-climbing and check the climbing equipment.
Included: Bed and Breakfast
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
After tea, we’ll leave for Kilimanjaro National Park gate – Marangu. Post necessary paperwork you will soon be hiking through dense rainforest. You might be lucky to catch a glimpse of the black and white colobus monkeys scrambling through the lush vegetation.
After a good hike of about 3 to 4 hours, we’ll reach the Mandara Hut. Later, you’ll visit Maundi Crater to see some wonderful views.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Trek to Kibo Hut
The trail leads to the last waterpoint, which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly plantless plateau links the summit of Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is Kibo Hut and it should be reached in about 5 to 6 hours. We’ll rest early to get enough rest for the upcoming summit hike. You will be woken at around 11 pm.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day 3: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo
We’ll start in the middle of the night when the lava ash is still frozen and walking on it is easier. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave (5,220 m), the climb takes us to Gilman’s Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim just before sunrise.
Another hike of 1 to 2 hours, takes us to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa. The descent follows the same path and the lava ash will now have thawed and allows for a fast descent. After lunch at Kibo Hut, we’ll get down to Horombo Hut and stay overnight.
Included: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut
Starting early at 1:00 am, we’ll reach Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial climb is a bit steep over loose volcanic scree, but there are some well-graded zig-zags that will take us to the Point in about five or six hours.
For those who are still feeling strong can make the three hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,896 m.), passing by the spectacular glaciers that still occupy most of the summit area.
The descent is surprisingly fast and we’ll return to Horombo for the night. Total hours: 11 to 15.
Day 5: Horombo to Mandara Marangu, back to Arusha
After breakfast, passing via Mandara Hut, you’ll traverse moorland and lush forest to get to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate at Marangu, from where you’ll be transferred to Tulia Hotel and Spa or a similar hotel in Arusha.
FAQs
What is the average distance and altitude gain that we will hike each day?
There are two factors that will determine the elevation gains on your Kilimanjaro trip. What route you choose to take and how many days you will do it in. I personally designed our itinerary for the best safety and success.
In general, a tough day helps you acclimatize and prepare for the challenging summit night to come. You will be trekking for 7 hours on this day for 6.7miles/ 10.8km. Elevation gain 750m/ 2,460 feet up and down 700m/ 2,296 feet.
What is the best time of the year for this hike?
We generally advise that the best time to climb Kilimanjaro is during the warmest and driest times of year, from December to mid-March and mid-June to the end of October. However, although these are considered to be the best times to climb the mountain in terms of weather, they are also the busiest months
Can I join a group?
You want to meet and share your unforgettable Kilimanjaro experience with a range of hikers from all over the world? On our scheduled departures, up to ten hikers are grouped together and soon the tightest of bonds will be forged as you tackle the highest mountain in Africa together.
This is a safe and sociable option for hiking Kilimanjaro. If you are a solo hiker or a small group, you will be joined by other hikers on a scheduled climb. The number of hikers in one group ranges from five to ten. You will share the same mess tent for all meals, be taken along the route by the same guides and porters and share the tips for the crew at the end of the journey.
Scheduled departures on Marangu and Machame route depart every Friday. On Lemosho route the schedule departure is on Thursday.
Climbers usually arrive in Tanzania a day or two before the climb and will stay in one of our recommended hotels in Arusha or Moshi. You will meet our operations team and the other group members for a pre-climb briefing and a thorough equipment check. Your gear is inspected to see if it is adequate and safe. If anything is missing or not up to standard, it can be hired from Kiliholidays. During the briefing our operations team informs you about what you can expect on the mountain and gives tips and important and thorough safety advice.
Scheduled departures have fixed prices; this is the more economical choice and perfect for hikers wanting to meet like-minded travelers and maybe even make some new life-long friends. On a scheduled Kilimanjaro climb, you will sleep in two-person tents and as solo-traveller share the tent with another hiker of the same gender. Single tents are also available (single supplement payment requested)
About the guide
Kiliholidays
5.0
(9)
Tour Operator
Mack was born and raised in Arusha, northern Tanzania, within a warm and close-knit Maasai family. He is the eighth of twelve children and has dedicated much of his career to guiding tours across East Africa.
Although Mack pursued studies in Information Communication Technology and specialized in Procurement and Supply Management, he feels most at home in the African wilderness. His passion lies in Travel and Tourism Management, and as he gained experience, he was inspired to create his own Adventure and Wildlife expeditions, bringing a personal touch to each journey. Driven by a deep love for nature and conservation, Mack has shaped his safaris into unique, high-quality experiences.
Mack’s talent for coordinating and organizing group tours ensures a hassle-free, seamless experience, allowing his clients to fully immerse themselves in the adventure of a lifetime.
Languages
French | English
What people are saying about this trip
Leonardo
Everything went very well! Above our expectations! Thanks Explore-Share and Thanks Kiliholidays! Great support from all you! Thanks for the hard work and excellent level of commitment.
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