The trail climbing through dense rainforest on the lower slopes

6 Days Marangu Route

The classic hut-to-hut climb

6 days
Duration: 5,895 m
Highest point: Challenging for its length
Difficulty: Marangu
Route: Marangu Gate → Marangu Gate
Start / finish

Overview

Marangu is Kilimanjaro’s only standard route using mountain huts rather than tents. Our six-day itinerary includes an essential acclimatization day at Horombo, making it a more responsible choice than the compressed five-day version.

This trip is best for

Trekkers who prefer hut accommodation and a historic, direct route, while still allowing a dedicated acclimatization day.

The altitude profile

Circles mark where you sleep. Those are the altitudes that decide how you feel, not the high points you walk over during the day.

6 Days Marangu Route elevation profile Route Sleeping altitude

6 Days Marangu Route elevation profile
Day	Location	Altitude (m)	Distance (km)	Overnight
1	Marangu Gate	1,860	0	No
1	Mandara Hut	2,720	8	Yes
2	Horombo Hut	3,720	20	Yes
3	High point	4,000	20	No
3	Horombo Acclimatization Day	3,720	20	Yes
4	Kibo Hut	4,700	30	Yes
5	Uhuru Peak	5,895	40	No
5	Horombo Hut	3,720	50	Yes
6	Marangu Gate	1,860	70	No

Day by day

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

1,860 m → 2,720 m
8 km
4–5 hrs
Rainforest

↑ 860 m gained

Climb through rich montane forest to Mandara Hut. The team establishes conservative pacing from the outset.

From: Marangu Gate
To: Mandara Hut
Sleeping altitude: 2,720 m (8,924 ft)
Highest point: 2,720 m

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

2,720 m → 3,720 m
12 km
5–7 hrs
Heath / moorland

↑ 1,000 m gained

Leave the forest and enter open moorland with views of Mawenzi and Kibo.

From: Mandara Hut
To: Horombo Hut
Sleeping altitude: 3,720 m (12,205 ft)
Highest point: 3,720 m

Horombo Acclimatization Day

3,720 m → 3,720 m
3–5 hrs
Moorland

↑ 280 m gained ↓ 280 m descended Sleeps 3,720 m

A purposeful acclimatization hike toward Zebra Rocks or higher terrain, followed by descent to sleep at Horombo.

From: Horombo Acclimatization Day
To: Horombo Acclimatization Day
Sleeping altitude: 3,720 m (12,205 ft)
Highest point: 4,000 m

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

3,720 m → 4,700 m
10 km
5–7 hrs
Alpine desert

↑ 980 m gained

Cross the Saddle to Kibo Hut. Rest, eat early and prepare for the summit attempt.

From: Horombo Hut
To: Kibo Hut
Sleeping altitude: 4,700 m (15,420 ft)
Highest point: 4,700 m

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

4,700 m → 3,720 m
20 km
12–16 hrs
Arctic summit to moorland

↑ 1,195 m gained ↓ 2,175 m descended Sleeps 3,720 m

Depart around midnight, climb via Gilman’s Point to Uhuru Peak, then descend to Horombo for a well-earned rest.

From: Kibo Hut
To: Horombo Hut
Sleeping altitude: 3,720 m (12,205 ft)
Highest point: 5,895 m

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

3,720 m → 1,860 m
20 km
5–7 hrs
Moorland / rainforest

Descend through Mandara to the park gate for certificates and transfer back to Moshi.

From: Horombo Hut
To: Marangu Gate
Sleeping altitude: 1,860 m (6,102 ft)
Highest point: 1,860 m

Route map

Where this itinerary goes, night by night. Every camp and altitude on the map is the one in the day-by-day above.

Ascent Descent Overnight camp Comes down by the same trail. Schematic map, not to scale: positions are approximate and not for navigation. Altitudes are from our itineraries. Terrain: SRTM (NASA), via Terrain Tiles on AWS.

What is and is not included

What is included

Transfers

Airport pick-up and drop-off - Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) to/from your hotel
Private transfers to/from the mountain gate - Hotel to Kilimanjaro trailhead and exit gate to hotel

Meals & water

Pre & post-climb accommodation - 2 nights in Moshi (1 night before and 1 night after the climb) on Bed & Breakfast basis
Three freshly prepared meals per day on the mountain - breakfast, lunch and dinner
Nutritious snacks during the trek
Clean, purified drinking water throughout the climb
Hot water for washing each morning and evening where practical

Permits & park fees

Kilimanjaro National Park entrance fees
Camping fees / Hut fees - depending on the selected route
All applicable government taxes & VAT
Kilimanjaro summit certificate for successful climbers

Safety equipment

Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees
Emergency supplemental oxygen
Pulse oximeter for monitoring blood oxygen saturation and pulse during the climb
First-aid kit and mountain emergency equipment
Daily health monitoring by the mountain guide
24/7 emergency communication support between the mountain team and operations office

Guides & crew

Professional, licensed English-speaking Kilimanjaro mountain guide
Assistant mountain guides - according to group size
Professional mountain chef/cook
Porters - to carry group equipment, food and clients permitted duffel luggage
All mountain crew wages and salaries
Cooking tent and complete camp equipment
Private portable flush/chemical toilet with dedicated toilet tent and porter - throughout the trek on camping routes

Camping equipment

Quality four-season mountain tents - on camping routes
Comfortable sleeping mattresses
Dining/mess tent with tables and chairs

Also included

Pre-climb briefing and equipment check
All logistical and operational support throughout the expedition

What is not included

International and domestic flights
Tanzania entry visa
Travel and medical insurance - clients should have appropriate coverage for high-altitude trekking up to at least 6,000 metres
Helicopter/air evacuation or specialist medical evacuation unless specifically included by the client insurance policy
Personal trekking equipment and clothing, including hiking boots, sleeping bag, down jacket, trekking poles, daypack and other personal gear
Equipment rental, unless specifically included in the quotation
Tips/gratuities for mountain guides, assistant guides, cook and porters
Lunch and dinner at the hotel before or after the climb unless specified
Soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks outside those specifically included
Personal snacks and energy bars brought by the client
Laundry services
Telephone calls, SIM cards, internet/data charges and other communication expenses
Additional hotel nights or transfers caused by flight changes, early arrival or late departure
Single-room or single-tent supplement, where applicable
Extra porter required for luggage exceeding the permitted mountain weight
Personal expenses such as souvenirs and shopping
Any activities, accommodation, meals, transfers or services not specifically stated in the itinerary
Costs arising from itinerary changes requested by the client or circumstances outside the company control

Dates and prices

Private climb prices by party size
Party size	Per person
1 climber Private Solo Expedition — Maximum privacy.	US$2,670

Scheduled group prices by party size
Party size	Per person
2–4 climbers Small Group Rate — Shared value.	US$2,460
5–7 climbers Group Discount Rate — Preferred group rate.	US$2,250
8–10 climbers Best Group Rate — Best value per climber.	US$2,100

This climb runs on your dates

There is no fixed departure calendar for this itinerary — it runs as a private climb whenever suits you, which for most parties is the better arrangement anyway.

Ask about your dates

If you would rather join an existing group on a fixed date, our scheduled departures run on the Lemosho and Machame routes, each built around a full moon or an event summit.

These are the scheduled dates for this itinerary. See every group departure across all our routes, or ask about your own dates.

What to bring

You will walk through five climate zones in a week, from humid rainforest to sub-zero arctic. Layering is the whole strategy — no single garment solves it.

The full packing list What you can rent locally

From

US$2,100 Per person. The rate falls as the group grows — see the table below.

Plan this climb WhatsApp us about this climb

Download the itinerary (PDF)

Tanzania-based team, not a reseller
A person replies — no automated quotes
No deposit taken until the plan is right

From

US$2,100

Plan this climb