9-day trip: climbing Kilimanjaro via the 6-day Marangu Route with huts. The Marangu route is one of the fastest and least expensive ways to get to the top, but it still has a lot of amazing things to offer. Anyway, you can still enjoy the mountain nature on different trails and the view from the top.

On the other hand, it can get crowded, especially during peak season, and you don’t have as much time to get used to the altitude. Also, you go down the same path, so you miss some of the most beautiful views.

But if you don’t like camping, you’ll be glad to know that this road has huts where you can stay. Also, just for fun, it’s also known as the “Coca-Cola” way, in case you want to show off to your fellow hikers and guides 😉

Itinerary Highlights
Day 1: Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport for your climb
Day 2: Marangu Route (1/6) | Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) – Mandara Huts (2,720 m/8,923 ft)
Day 3: Marangu Route (2/6) | Mandara Huts (2,720 m/8,923 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)
Day 4: Marangu Route (3/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)
Day 5: Marangu Route (4/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft)
Day 6: Marangu Route (5/6) | Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft) – Uhuru Peak (5,895 m/19,340 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)
Day 7: Marangu Route (6/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) – hotel
Day 8 – 9: Flight home from Kilimanjaro International Airport after the climb

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

Kilimanjaro is the toughest thing you can do. We make sure you climb with professional guides, porters, and a cook because the little things can make a big difference. They look out for your health twice a day and feed you tasty food while you climb using the Marangu path. That sounds like a lot, right? You must not do that if you want to get to the top! We know that altitude sickness can sneak up on you and that good eating is important to keep you going on a tough climb.

Plus, we have a lot of information for you that will help you get ready for your climb through the Marangu route. It talks about Tanzania and Mount Kilimanjaro, how to get ready, and what you can buy or rent. Are we the ones who told you that we work with the Kilimanjaro Responsible Travel Organization (KRTO)? As a result, we take care of our team and the mountain while we climb, so you can climb without worrying. Are you ready for an amazing event you’ll never forget?

**We can send you the menu ahead of time if you’d like to see it.

What level of fitness do you need to take the Marangu Route up Kilimanjaro?

Because of the height, speed of climbing, and different temperatures, Kilimanjaro is a very difficult mountain to climb. You’ll walk for six to seven hours a day on average when you climb. It is totally doable if you are healthy and fit. There are lots of things you can do to make the trip more fun and improve your chances of reaching the top.

It is important that you take your time. Your body needs time to adjust to the altitude, so don’t walk too fast.
Do your homework. Being in good shape also helps a lot with the climb. Hiking for a few months before the climb, especially walks that last more than one day, is a great way to prepare. Running and other physical exercises are also good ways to get ready.

Include an extra day. People who will get mountain sickness are always hard to guess. That risk will go down if you climb for one more day. By climbing over more days, your body has more time to get used to the higher elevation. To improve your chances of making it to the top, you should definitely do this.

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

Your guide picks you up at the hotel early in the morning and takes you to Marangu Gate, which is at an elevation of 1,860 m. In the first part of the hike, you’ll see both coffee and banana farms and untouched rainforest. Take a moment to enjoy the beautiful views of green plants and a variety of animals along the way. The Mandara Huts are at the end of a seven-hour walk. In the afternoon, you can either relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery or go to the Maundi Crater, a volcanic crater close to the huts. Always remember to drink a lot of water on your first day at this height!

Day 3: Marangu Route (2/6) | Mandara Huts (2,720 m/8,923 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)

The view changes slowly from Mandara Huts. As you hike, you see beautiful scenery, come across rare plants and animals, and be surrounded by the majesty of Mount Kilimanjaro. Things start to look more like the moon as you go higher because you can’t see as much greenery. Also, as you go up, the air gets thinner. You’ll feel the thrill of climbing higher as you make your way to the cozy Horombo Huts for dinner and the night.

Day 4: Marangu Route (3/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft) – Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft)

Today is your extra day to get used to the altitude. You walk to Kibo Huts and back after breakfast. This gives your body plenty of time to adjust to the higher elevation. After lunch, you can snap some pictures of the Mawenzi Volcano, look around the area, or just take it easy. Get another good night’s sleep at the Horombo Huts so you’re ready for the next day.

Day 5: Marangu Route (4/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Kibo Huts Camp (4,720 m/15,485 ft)

The walk takes you through a kind of Alpine desert to a spot between the two famous mountain peaks, Kibo and Mawenzi. Here, you can see how dramatically the landscape changes. This area is more open and bare, and there aren’t as many places to hide. Even though the walk is hard, the excitement of getting closer to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro keeps you going. You have lunch at Kibo Huts Camp. Before the big day, don’t forget to drink a lot of water and settle down.

Day 6: Marangu Route (5/6) | Kibo Huts Camp (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 at night to reach the top of Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. The hardest part of this climb is the beginning, until you reach Gilman’s Point. It’s not too far to get to Uhuru Peak, and it’s not too hard to walk. Enjoy a beautiful sunrise from the top, which is pretty amazing from this height! After breakfast, you go down through the Kibo Huts Camp to the Horombo Huts, where you spend the night and have dinner. It’s going to be a long day for you because you have to be on your feet for twelve hours!

Day 7: Marangu Route (6/6) | Horombo Huts (3,720 m/12,204 ft) – Marangu Gate (1,860 m/6,102 ft) – hotel

As you go down to Marangu Gate, the exit from Kilimanjaro National Park, your amazing trip comes to an end. This wonderful walk lasts five to six hours and goes through lovely woods. After you get to Marangu Gate, your guide will take you back to the hotel for a well-earned rest and a party to celebrate your amazing accomplishment. Memories, views, and a real sense of success that you will never forget are waiting for you!

Day 8 – 9: 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!