8-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the 5-day Marangu Route with huts. A lot of people take the Marangu path, which is also the cheapest. Mountain huts, not tents, are the only way to stay the night on this route. The path goes straight up to the top and then back down the same way. Because of the big changes in altitude each day, this path is only good for experienced climbers.

It takes five days to climb the mountain via the Marangu path. You should add an extra day, though, so your body has time to get used to the high air. You can stay an extra night in the Horombo huts on the fourth day and go on a walk to help your body get used to the altitude if you want to. Having an extra day gives you a much better chance of hitting the top.

Itinerary Highlights
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 – 8: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

Tanzania Zanzibar Safari gives a one-of-a-kind service during the climb.

The hardest thing you can do is climb Kilimanjaro. Little things can make a big difference, that’s why we send you up with trained guides, porters, and a cook. They take care of you on the Marangu road by checking on your health twice a day and giving you really good food. Does that sound like too much? Not if you want to get to the top! Because we know that altitude sickness can sneak up on you and that good eating is important to keep you going on a tough climb.

You can also get a lot of information from us to help you get ready for your climb via the Marangu way. It tells you about Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro, how to get ready, and what you can buy or rent. Another thing we want to bring up is that we work with the Kilimanjaro Responsible Travel Organization (KRTO). That means that while we climb, we look out for our team and the mountain. This way, you can climb without worrying. Are you ready for an event you’ll never forget?

How fit do you have to be to go up Kilimanjaro the Marangu Way?

Kilimanjaro is very hard to climb because of its high elevation, fast ascent rate, and changing weather. Most days when you climb, you’ll be on your feet for six to seven hours. It is definitely possible if you are healthy and fit. You can do many things to improve your chances of making it to the top and to make sure you enjoy the hike.

Take your time. Allow your body time to adjust and get used to the altitude by hiking slowly.
Get ready. Also, being in good shape helps a lot with the climb. Hiking a few months before the climb is a great way to prepare, especially walks that last more than one day. But running and other physical activities are also good ways to get ready.
Add one more day. There is no way to know ahead of time who will get altitude sickness. This risk will go down if you climb for one more day. Because the climb is spread out over more days, your body has more time to get used to being taller. We really think you should do this to improve your chances of getting to the top.

Day by day breakdown

Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb

When you get to Kilimanjaro International Airport, our Tanzania Zanzibar Safari guide will be there to meet you. After the trip, he drops you off at your hotel where you can rest.
Getting ready for your climb: Before you start your climb, you meet your guide. He tells you about the climb and gives you important tips on what to wear, what to bring, and how to make it as easy as possible.

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

Your guide picks you up at the hotel and takes you to Marangu Gate in the morning. The first part goes through coffee and banana farms. The next part goes through rainforest that hasn’t been touched by humans. The Mandara huts are at the end of a seven-hour walk. You can either rest and enjoy the beautiful scenery in the afternoon, or you can go to the Maundi crater, a volcanic crater close to the Mandara Huts. Always remember to drink a lot of water on your first day at this height!

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

The scenery slowly changes from cloud forests to grass fields with heather and other plants as you get farther away from Mandara Huts. Things start to look more like the moon as you go higher because you can’t see as much greenery. The air is also getting less dense now. After lunch, you can go on an acclimatization walk that goes up 200 meters. For dinner and the night, you can go back to Horombo Huts.

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

Today’s hike takes you through a kind of Alpine desert to a spot between Kibo and Mawenzi, two very famous mountains. The hike is hard, and it goes through open areas with few trees for shade. When you get to Kibo camp, you have lunch and then have some free time to get ready for the big day.

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)

You start your climb to Uhuru Peak in the middle of the night with your flashlight. Up until you reach Gilman’s Point, the first part of this climb is the hardest. Uhuru Peak is not too far away and is not too hard to get to. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise from the top, which is pretty amazing from this height! Once you’re done partying at the top, you’ll start your descent through the Kibo Huts Camp to the Horombo Huts, where you’ll spend the night and have dinner. You’ll be on your feet for about twelve hours today, so get ready for a tough but satisfying day!

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 last day on the mountain, you go down to Marangu Gate, which is where Kilimanjaro National Park ends. This is a great five- to six-hour walk through Kilimanjaro’s beautiful woods. After that, your guide takes you to your hotel, where you can rest.

Day 7 – 8: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

It’s time to go home now that your vacation is over. Have fun in Tanzania for a few more hours before our driver picks you up and takes you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your trip home. Do you still want more? You can also add a few days of hiking or a trip to the beach to your Kilimanjaro trip!