8 Days Marangu Route

Day 1: Arrival

As you touch down at Kilimanjaro International Airport, a warm Tanzanian welcome awaits you! Your designated guide will escort you directly to your hotel, where you can unwind and immerse yourself in the vibrant African ambiance. The following day, embark on an exclusive, personalized safari adventure led by your guide, granting you the freedom to explore at your leisurely pace.

Reasons to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro

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Day 2: Marangu Gate (1,830 M/ 6,000 FT) - Mandara Huts (2,700 M/ 8,858 FT)

Begin a remarkable journey along the Marangu Route in Tanzania! Commence your expedition at Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,000 ft) and climb to Mandara Huts (2,700 m/ 8,858 ft). Be awestruck by the stunning landscape as you hike through verdant rainforests, observing rare plants and animals throughout your adventure.

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Day 3: Mandara Huts (2,700 M/ 8,858 FT) - Horombo Huts (3,720 M/ 12,204 FT)

Hike across breathtaking scenery and savor the excitement of climbing to greater heights. Immerse yourself in the beauty of nature while traversing this celebrated pathway.

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Day 4: Horombo Huts (3,720 M/ 12,204 FT) - Kibo Huts (4,700 M/ 15,419 FT)

Attain unprecedented elevations as you journey from Kibo Huts (4,700m/15,419ft) to the majestic Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft), then descend to Horombo Huts (3,720m/12,204ft). Overcome the loftiest summit in Africa and behold mesmerizing landscapes throughout your expedition. Indulge in the thrill of a lifetime on this unforgettable voyage.

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Day 5: Horombo Huts (3,720 M/ 12,139 FT) - Marangu Gate (1,830 M/ 6,003 FT) - Hotel

Following a night at Horombo Huts (3,720 m/ 12,139 ft), descend to Marangu Gate (1,830 m/ 6,003 ft). Delight in the awe-inspiring vistas as you bid farewell to the majestic Kilimanjaro. Upon finishing the trek, take time to unwind and rejuvenate at your hotel, cherishing the memories of this remarkable adventure.

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Day 7 - 8: Final Day and Flight Back to Home

On your final day, luxuriate a while longer at the lodge, basking in relaxation before our driver escorts you to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your homeward-bound flight, tailored to suit your departure schedule.

Gear

There are five ecological zones on Mount Kilimanjaro, each with its own climate and weather characteristics. Climbers are required to have the right gear to stay warm, dry and comfortable in a wide range of weather conditions. Typically, it is warm and humid in the rainforest, at the start of your trek. Then as you climb higher, it becomes colder and drier in the moorland and alpine desert zone. The summit can be extremely cold and windy, as being in the arctic zone would suggest. Climbing Kilimanjaro is like hiking from summer to winter in a matter of days. Your apparel will reflect this as well. You will need technical clothing such as a waterproof jacket, fleece jacket and several base layers. Cold weather gear such as hats, gloves, down jacket, and a warm sleeping bag are essential.

You are responsible for bringing personal gear and equipment while communal equipment (tents, food, cooking items, etc.) is provided. For clients who have hiking and backpacking experience, you will already have most if not all of the gear on the list. If you are starting from scratch, then it will take some time and money to assemble the items. Also consider renting gear from shops or borrowing gear from friends if possible to reduce the cost.

Training

We recommend training for at least two months prior to your departure. For those who are new to hiking, it would be smart to train longer. For those who are regular hikers, you will likely perform fine just keeping your regular routine. Doing day hikes is a great way to prepare though it’s entirely possible to train exclusively on a stair master machine if you don’t have access to trails.

Attitude Training

In fact, a person who is in phenomenal shape but can’t acclimatize will perform worse than a person who is in poor shape but acclimatizes well. There are things you can do to pre-acclimatize, or prepare for high altitude, before your climb. For instance, you can spend some time at high altitude immediately before your trip. If that is impractical due to timing, you can take a trip or two to high elevation destinations and hike – just to test your body’s response. You can also use an altitude training system and pre-acclimatize in your own home.

Medical Check

It is a good idea to be medically cleared for climbing by your doctor. Your age, fitness level, health, and pre-existing medical conditions may preclude you from high altitude trekking. Our minimum fitness requirements are that each climber must have a resting heart rate of under 100 beats per minute.

Vaccination

There are NO mandatory vaccinations, immunizations or medications to enter Tanzania. However, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends many vaccines for travel to East Africa. We encourage you to discuss your travel plans with a medical professional to determine which vaccinations and medications you should get.

Insurance

Travel insurance is required to participate on our trips. Standard travel insurance provides coverage for trip cancellation, interruption, and delay; lost, stolen and damaged baggage; medical expenses and emergency medical evacuation; and luggage delay. Your travel insurance must also cover high altitude trekking up to 6,000 meters. This insurance will make you eligible for rescue by helicopter from Kilimanjaro MedAir, a private company. Clients must be able to provide proof of insurance to staff upon request or they will not be allowed to participate.