Home » 8 Days Marangu Route, Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

8 Days Marangu Route, Mount Kilimanjaro Trek

Country

Tanzania

Duration

8 Days

Price

On Request

Difficult Level

Medium

Overview

The Marangu route, famously known as the “Coca-Cola” route as you can get a bottle of Coca-Cola at each hut, is the original route established to climb Kilimanjaro. The Marangu route is often billed as one of the easier walking routes, however, according to KINAPA it suffers from the lowest success rate (42%) as too many climbers try to do it in only 5 days and fail because of poor acclimatisation. We’ve built in an extra day’s acclimatisation for you, greatly improving the success rate.

Approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast, the Marangu route uses the same ascent and descent route which means it is less scenic than the other routes. For climbers who do not wish to camp, then Marangu is the only route that offers dormitory-style hut accommodation. The huts have a communal dining room, simple washrooms and toilets which lower down will be flushable, but as you move higher up the mountain will be “long drop” loos.

The Marangu Gate stands at an altitude of 1870 meters above sea level and marks the start of the Day 1 route from the South-East side of Mount Kilimanjaro. The scenic drive from Moshi takes an hour. If coming from the city of Arusha, the drive takes approximately 2 hours.

Although some climbers like the idea of staying in the huts rather than camping, you need to remember that on the Marangu route you will be sharing the hut with lots of other climbers in open dormitory accommodation. Bring ear plugs just in case!

Highlights

  • Go for the challenge on once in a lifetime adventure
  • Take in amazing views of Mt Kilimanjaro’s peak
  • Discover the high-alpine deserts of mount Kilimanjaro
  • Enjoy the beautiful view n the Uhuru Peak (The summit of mount Kilimanjaro)

Summary

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Duration

8 Days

Minimum age

The minimum age required for this tour is 12 years.

Destinations

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation

Mid-range lodges and tented camps

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Customization

This tour can be customized

Popular Activities

Hiking & Trekking

Start & End

This tour will start in Arusha, end in Moshi

Departure Dates

Flexible for any departure date

Tour Type

Private group tour

Day to day itinerary

Day 1: Arrival

You will meet with the Ultimate Serengeti staff member at the airport and escort you to the Lodge for your overnight stay.

Day 2: Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

You will depart from your hotel early in the morning to Marangu Gate for the Mountain Climb Registration.

You will begin your Kilimanjaro trek by walking along a narrow trail through the rainforest of Kilimanjaro for most of the hike. Eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni, day one’s halfway point. After lunch continues walking through the rainforest until reaching Mandara Hut. Relax for the rest of the day or take a short walk to Mahundi Crater. The views to the east over Taveta and to the northwest to Mawenzi Peak are striking on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort

Day 1 Highlight

  • Elevation: From 1,860 metes to 2,700 metes
  • Trekking distance: 8 kilometers
  • Trek time: 5 to 7 hours
  • Environment: Rainforest
  • Difficulty level:  Medium
  • Accommodation: Mandara Hut

Day 3: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

After breakfast, you depart Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro forests to Horombo Hut.

Most of the day’s hike will be through Kilimanjaro moorland, a rocky landscape with desert-like plants.

You will have your picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut. If the day is clear, you will enjoy beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.

Late in the afternoon you will arrive at Horombo Hut and spend the rest of the time relaxing.

Day 3 Highlight

  • Elevation:  2,700 meters to 3,720 meters
  • Trekking distance: 10 kilometers
  • Trek time: 5 to 6 hours
  • Difficulty Level: Medium
  • Habitat: Moorland.
  • Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 4: Acclimatization day at Horombo Hut

This extra day and night at Horombo are ideal for good acclimatization. A hike towards Mawenzi, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down) is strongly recommended as it will further assist with acclimatization.

Day 4 Highlight

  • Elevation: 3,720 meters
  • Hiking distance: 5 – 8 kilometers
  • Hiking time: 3 to 4 hours

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

After breakfast you will continue your ascent into the Alpine desert, passing the last water point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time (unless you are willing to buy Mineral water at Kibo hut).

The summit is now a further 1,195 meters up and you will make your final ascent the same night. You to go to bed around 1830hrs and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible.

Day 5 Highlight

  • Elevation: From 3,720 meters to 4700 meters
  • Trekking distance: 10 kilometers
  • Trek time: 5-6 hours
  • Environment: Alpine desert
  • Difficulty level: Medium
  • Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Day 6: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, Descend to Horombo Camp

This is the summit day! Before midnight, you will begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace that will take you to the rim of the main crater, Gillman’s. You will take a rest there for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.

Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru peak 5,895 m. which is the highest point in Africa.

After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment you will descend to Horombo for your next overnight stay. Before reaching Horombo, you will stop at Kibo Hut for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Horrombo Hut.

Day 6 Highlight

  • Elevation:  From 4,715 metres to 5,895metres (ascending) and from 5,895 meters to 3,720 meters (descending)
  • Distance: 21 kilometers
  • Hiking Time: 12-14 hours
  • Habitat: Arctic
  • Difficulty Level: High
  • Accommodation: Horombo Camp.

Day 7: Horombo Hut to Marangu gate, drive to Arusha

After breakfast early in the morning, you will be heading to Marangu Gate (1,860 m). After your descent, the whole group will gather to congratulate you, and then you will have the chance to share your opinions on the trip in the guestbook.

Lastly, we will present you with your commemorative certificates and provide you a transfer back to the hotel.

Day 7 Highlight

  • Elevation:  From 3,720 metres to 1,860 metres 
  • Distance: 18 kilometers
  • Hiking Time: 5 to 6 hours
  • Habitat: Rainforest
  • Difficulty Level: Medium

Day 9: Departure or Go for Wildlife Safari

After breakfast, the Ultimate Serengeti guide or staff will transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight back home.

If you would prefer to go for a safari, the Ultimate Serengeti safari guide will pick you up from the hotel start your next adventure in Tanzania.

Inclusions

Price includes

  • All meals and accommodation during the tour.
  • Professional, experienced, mountain guides/safari guide
  • All Park fees
  • Guides, Porters, cook salaries, and park fees.
  • Clean, purified drinking water.
  • Fair and ethical treatment of porters.
  • Sleeping tents
  • Sleeping Mattress.

Price Excludes

  • Personal Expenses.
  • Optional tours.
  • Tips and any items of personal nature

Good to know

Getting there

Country information

Overview

  • Official name: United Republic of Tanzania
  • Country Currency: Tanzania Shilling
  • Population: 56 million (estimated)
  • Capital: Dodoma
  • Political stability: Stable (No historical civil wars since its independence in 1961)
  • Location in Africa: East Africa
  • Dialing code: 255
  • Timezone: GMT +3
  • Language: Swahili and  English. Kiswahili is the official language, although English is widely spoken in commercial areas including the major parks and reserves. The terms Swahili and Kiswahili are used interchangeably, though the term Swahili normally refers to the people while Kiswahili refers to the language.
  • Total Area: 945,087 sq km (364,900 sq miles)
  • Religion: Christian, Muslim, and traditional beliefs
  • Longest distances: 1,223 kilometers (760 miles) from north to south; 1,191 kilometers (740 miles) from east to west

Electricity supply, travel plugs & adapters

  • Plugs & Adaptors: Tanzania use plug type G and plug type D
  • Electrical supply: 240V

Transactions, Credit Cards & ATMs

  • Most tourist-class hotels quote rates in US dollars, and many will expect to be paid in USD currency.
  • Airport taxes and national park fees are paid in US dollars.
  • ATMs are available in all big Towns and Cities.
  • You can use your credit card to withdraw money from ATMs (You will get only local currency)
  • Most ATMs accept visa and master cards only
  • You can also use your credit card in some places, but you might be charged a fee of 4% to 5% of the transaction.
  • You can use your credit card for making payments to some of the big hotels, but most small hotels and restaurants accept cash only.
  • Foreign currency can be changed into Tanzanian Shillings at any bank or any Bureau de change (forex bureaux)
  • Bring banknotes printed in 2006 or later as notes printed before 2006 are rejected by most banks and bureau de changes.
  • Most banks operate from 08.30 am to 17.00 on weekdays and 9:00 am to 12:00 pm on Saturday.

Tanzania Visa

Most travelers coming from America, Europe, and Asia will require a Visa before they visit Tanzania. If your country is on a list of the visa-free country for Tanzania, you won’t be required to apply for a visa, you will have to undergo immigration formalities at the entry point upon arrival.
Learn more about visa applications, a list of visa-free countries, types of visas, and more on this link

Weather & Climate Conditions

Tanzania has a tropical climate with variations depending on altitude. In the higher regions temperatures can range from 10-20°C throughout the year whereas in the lower regions temperatures rarely fall beneath 20°C. Humidity increases closer to the coastal regions. The hottest period of the year tends to be from October to February. The two main rainy seasons are between March to May and November and February.

Mount Kilimanjaro Packing List & Required Documents

Trekking Gear

  • Day pack (30 L)
  • Day pack cover
  • Waterproof duffle bag (porters carry)
  • Medium/Heavyweight down jacket
  • Fleece jacket or vest (1)
  • Synthetic hiking pants (1)
  • Rain jacket
  • Rain pants
  • Wind jacket
  • Synthetic long underwear (1-2)
  • Fleece leggings or pants for summit night
  • Synthetic T-shirt (2)
  • Wool or synthetic hat
  • Sun hat
  • Ski gloves & glove liners
  • Waterproof hiking boots (which can accommodate thick hiking socks and liners)
  • Nylon-wool blend socks (2-3)
  • Sandals/Crocs/Old Sneakers (for walking around the lodges/restrooms in the evening)
  • Water bottles (2) or bladder may be substituted for one water bottle
  • Headlamp
  • SPF 50+ sunscreen
  • 100 percent UV protection sunglasses
  • Quick-dry towel
  • Personal toiletries and medicine
  • Sleeping bag w/ 0ºF rating
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Bug spray
  • Toilet paper in a ziplock bag
  • Bandana or Buff (for dust and wind)
  • Extra ziplock baggies for toilet paper waste on the trail
  • Yaktrax
  • Universal outlet adapter
  • Extra batteries or power pack to charge the phone and/or electronics

Documents and Logistics

  • International flights booked and confirmed to Kilimanjaro International Airport
  • Passport valid for 6 months after arrival date
  • Photocopy of passport
  • USD for 15 or 30-day Tanzania Visa (available upon arrival for US citizens)
  • Medical insurance card
  • Cash for tipping guides, buying souvenirs, incidental costs, etc.
  • Yellow fever vaccination card (if applicable, not required for travelers coming from the USA)

Additional travel information

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required

Malaria, Immunization & other safety information

 

Malaria

Tanzania has a tropical climate and different bacteria, flora, and fauna. It is advisable to take a few health precautions when traveling to make sure your trip goes as comfortably and smoothly as possible. Malaria is usually top on the list of visitors’ worries, and prevention goes a long way towards keeping you protected. Make sure to visit your doctor to get a prescription for the anti-malarial drug the best suit you.

Food & Hygiene

If you eat every meal you are offered, anywhere in the tropics, you will undoubtedly become ill. Be selective. Possible disease hazards range from minor bouts of travelers’ diarrhea to dysentery and more serious parasitic diseases that may ruin your trip, so precautions are worthwhile. Always choose food that has been freshly and thoroughly cooked, and is served hot.

Water Purification

Only drink water that you know is safe. Don’t drink tap water or brush your teeth with it, stick to bottled or canned drinks – well-known brands are safe. Have bottled mineral waters opened in your presence, and regard all ice as unsafe.

Immunization

Vaccines commonly recommended for travelers to Africa include those against Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Yellow fever, Rabies, and Meningitis.

It is always best to seek advice on immunization well in advance, if possible around 6 weeks before departure.

Wildlife Viewing

All Tanzania national parks are protected by park rangers. If you are on an organized safari then you will be very safe as your guide will always be there to ensure your overall safety. The only thing you have to do is to follow the park’s rules that you will be directed by your guide.

Payment & Cancellation Policy

 Payments  & Tour Confirmation

  • This tour will be confirmed upon the receipt of 20% of the total price, the remaining payment should be paid 45 days before this has departed.
  • Full payment is required if this tour has been booked in less than 45 days before departure.

Cancellation Policy

  • Cancellation will be confirmed in writing or by emails and it will be in effect upon receipt.
  • 50% loss of deposit will be effective if the tour will be canceled 45 days prior to the tour start date.
  • 50% loss of deposit will be effective if the tour will be canceled less than 45 days prior to the tour start date.
  • 100% loss of deposit will be effective if the cancellation received 20 days prior to the tour start date.
Visit our Terms and Conditions page for more details

Travel insurance

We advise you to take out Travel Insurance to cover for any unforeseen circumstances. We recommend World Nomads’ travel insurance but feel free to use any insurance company of your choice.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to visit Tanzania?

Tanzania is a politically stable, multi-democratic country with no recorded civil war since its independence in 1961. Tanzanians are warm-hearted and generous people who eager to help visitors get the most out of their stay. Hotels are safe and have watchmen.

As in all countries, a little common sense goes a long way and reasonable precautions should still be taken, such as not walking alone at night, not walking with a large amount of cash in streets as well as locking valuables in the hotel.

How much does a Tanzania Safari Cost?

Personal interests, the company you use and the time that you are planning to visit can determine how much you are expected to spend on safari in Tanzania.

If you are planning for a standard guided safari, the price per day can go as low as $200 per person sharing, for vising parks like Serengeti and Ngorongoro.

The debate of how much can a safari cost also goes with the level of service. From the above example, a typical budget safari can even go as low as $150 per day per person sharing, and it can go up to $1500 per day per person sharing, for luxury or high-end safari.

Please contact us to get the actual price based on your itinerary.

How can I get a Tanzania visa?

You can get a Tanzania visa by using an online application procedure through the immigration website. We advise each visitor who is planning to visit Tanzania to apply for a visa in advance of their trip. All visa applications should be done on the Tanzania immigration office website (www.immigration.go.tz ). You should also note that the only website to apply for Tanzania’s online visa is www.immigration.go.tz. Tanzania immigration does not recognize any agent or website that claims to be a Tanzania visa application center.

Upon the submission of your application, you will expect to get feedback from two to three weeks, so make sure you apply as soon as possible before the departure date of your trip.

You can also get a visa on arrival, but we highly recommend the online application so as to avoid some delays at the airport as the procedure might take up to two hours.

An ordinary single-entry (tourist) visa costs $50 and $100 for a multiple entry visa.

What are the don’ts and do’s when visiting Tanzania?

Tanzania is a developing country with many kinds of people, the educated and the uneducated, and so on. If you are coming from a developed country, don’t come with the mindset that you know everything as there also people who are well educated there. Generally, just behave in a proper manner like talking & smiling to people, helping them and so on. These are very few practices but they will help you to have a great experience when you visit.

The most important thing is to follow the rules especially when you are in the parks and in this case, just listen to your guide on what you are supposed to do. Off-course we don’t ask you to accept everything, there are other situations that might need you to take action by using common sense.

However, this should not bring fear to you, Tanzanian people are overall a very nice people. We just want to prepare you to have the best experience when you visit this beautiful country.

When is the best time of the year to visit Tanzania?

Most national parks in Tanzania are accessible throughout the year. If you want to have the best wildlife safari experience, it better to visit in the drier season. It is easy to sight animals in the drier season because of short grasses, which make it easy to spot small or short height animals.

The best time to visit Tanzania for a wildlife experience is from June to October which is a dry season. January and February (hot season) can also provide the best animal sighting options though in some of the parks it might not as best as in the dry season.

The best time to climb mount Kilimanjaro is from January to March and also from June to October.

The best time to visit Tanzania is highly affected by the type of trip and activities that you want to experience in Tanzania.

Please contact us to get an idea of which time in a year you should visit Tanzania based on your interests.

Are there any flights to Tanzania?

From Europe to Tanzania

There are several flight options from Europe to Tanzania. If you are coming from Europe, there are only two direct routes from Europe to Tanzania. You can either use KLM Royal Dutch Airlines that fly daily to Dar es Salaam and Kilimanjaro from Amsterdam or Turkish Airlines from Istanbul Ataturk International Airport.

Apart from direct flights, there are dozens of alternative e-routes like Addis Ababa, Cairo, or Nairobi.

Nairobi options tend to the most favorite for alternative routes. Kenya Airways has direct flights from London or Amsterdam to Nairobi, and it has daily departures from Nairobi to Tanzania. Other Nairobi options include Swiss Air from Zurich, British Airways from London, and Air France from Paris.

You can also connect to Dar es salaam through Ethiopian Airways via Addis Ababa, Oman Air from Muscat, Qatar Airways from Doha, Etihad Airways from Abu Dhabi, Egypt Air from Egypt, and Emirates from Dubai.

 North America to Tanzania

Travelers from North America can get into Tanzania by flying directly to Johannesburg from New York (JFK) or Washington-Dulles with South African Airways. You can also fly from Atlanta with Delta Air Lines then connect with South African Airways to Tanzania.

Alternatively, You can en route through Instabul or Amsterdam. Turkish Airlines has direct flights from more than 10 cities in North America to Instabul, then from Istanbul, you get a direct flight to Tanzania. This also applies to KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, but you will have to use Amsterdam as your en route to Tanzania.

Asia to Tanzania

If you are coming from Asia, visitors can a link with Air Tanzania which flies directly from Mumbai to Dar es salaam.

Kenya Airways has up to three direct flight links with Bangkok, Hanoi, and Mumbai to Tanzania.

There are also optional en routes via a hub in the middle east using Emirates, Etihad, Omar Air, or Qatar Airways.

From South America and Australia

There is no direct flight from these two continents. The most common option is to en route via Johannesburg, then to Tanzania by using South African Airways.

Alternatively, other best options are either Europe or the Middle East by using Ethiopian Airways, Emirates, Turkish Airlines, KLM, Etihad Airways, or Qatar Airways.

Your Tanzania safari starts here!

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