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3 Stars Hotels
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5,895 metres
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Kilimanjaro International Airport
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Feb, Mar, Apr & May
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Eco-Tour, Hiking
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All meals during the trek
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English, Spanish, French
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Easy to Moderate
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2-15
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12
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65
Overview
The 7-day Marangu Route trek on Mount Kilimanjaro is one of the most popular and classic routes for climbing Africa’s highest peak. It’s known for being one of the more comfortable routes due to the presence of huts for accommodation, compared to camping routes. Here’s an overview of what you can expect on this trek:
Highlights
- Trek to the world-famous Everest Base Camp
- Enjoy the amazing view of the Himalayas from Kala Patthar
- Travel through the Sherpa villages of Namche, Khumjung, Khunde, and Dingboche
- Visit Tengboche the biggest and oldest monastery n the region.
Itinerary
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Arrival: Fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) and transfer to Moshi or Arusha for overnight accommodation.
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Pre-Trek Briefing: You’ll meet with your guide to discuss the itinerary, packing list, and safety procedures.
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Distance: 8 km
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Duration: 4–5 hours
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Elevation Gain: 870 meters
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Trek Description: You begin at the Marangu Gate and hike through the lush rainforest. The path is fairly gradual, and you’ll experience some wildlife and unique plant life.
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Overnight: Mandara Hut, where you’ll rest and acclimatize.
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Distance: 12 km
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Duration: 5–7 hours
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Elevation Gain: 1,020 meters
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Trek Description: The trail ascends into a moorland zone with a steady climb. As you gain altitude, the vegetation changes, and you’ll start to feel the more rugged terrain. The views become more expansive, and you may spot some wildlife, like the endangered Kilimanjaro Colobus monkeys.
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Overnight: Horombo Hut, where you can take in panoramic views of the mountain.
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Distance: 10 km
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Duration: 6–8 hours
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Elevation Gain: 980 meters
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Trek Description: This is a long day of hiking. The landscape becomes more barren as you approach the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. You’ll pass through alpine desert terrain with rocky paths, gaining elevation as you get closer to the summit.
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Overnight: Kibo Hut, a chance to rest before the summit attempt.
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Distance: 21 km (to summit and back)
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Duration: 12–15 hours (Summit day is very long)
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Elevation Gain: 1,195 meters to summit
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Trek Description: This is the most challenging day. You’ll begin your summit attempt around midnight to reach Uhuru Peak at sunrise. The ascent to the summit is steep, and temperatures can be extremely cold. After reaching the summit, you’ll take in the breathtaking views and then descend all the way back to Horombo Hut.
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Overnight: Horombo Hut.
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Distance: 27 km
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Duration: 6–8 hours
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Elevation Loss: 1,890 meters
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Trek Description: The descent is relatively straightforward, and you’ll hike through the rainforest once again, retracing the route you took at the beginning.
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End of Trek: Arrive at Marangu Gate and celebrate the successful summit!
After the trek, return to your accommodation in Moshi for some rest, and then transfer to the airport for your flight home.
Cost
The Cost Includes
- Park Fees:
- Kilimanjaro National Park entry fees
- Hut fees for the Marangu Route (Mandara, Horombo, Kibo Huts)
- Rescue fees (in case of emergency)
- Guide and Support Staff:
- Certified Lead Guide: A licensed guide who is experienced in high-altitude treks.
- Assistant Guides: Additional guides to assist, especially for larger groups.
- Porters: Porters to carry your luggage, food, and camping gear.
- Cooks: To prepare meals on the trek.
- Accommodation:
- Accommodation at Marangu Gate (before and after the trek).
- Huts on the Marangu Route (Mandara, Horombo, Kibo Huts). These huts are equipped with bunks, but bring your own sleeping bag.
- Meals:
- Full meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) during the trek, typically including a variety of hot meals like soup, rice, pasta, and vegetables.
- Drinking water during the trek.
- Snacks and fruits to keep your energy up during the hike.
- Transportation:
- Airport transfers (from Kilimanjaro International Airport to the hotel in Moshi or Arusha).
- Transport from the hotel to the Marangu Gate (start of the trek) and back after completing the trek.
- Safety Equipment:
- Basic first-aid kit and medical support if necessary.
- Emergency oxygen and other safety equipment.
- Trekking Gear:
- Some operators may provide rental gear like tents, sleeping bags, trekking poles, etc. (though not all). It’s worth confirming with your operator.
- Summit Certificate: After summiting Uhuru Peak, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement.
The Cost Excludes
- International Flights:
- Flights to and from Tanzania are not included.
- Visa Fees:
- You’ll need a visa to enter Tanzania (usually available on arrival or online for most nationalities).
- Personal Equipment:
- You’ll need to bring your own personal trekking gear such as:
- Hiking boots
- Warm clothing (jackets, gloves, etc.)
- Sleeping bag (if not renting)
- Trekking poles (if not provided)
- Sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, and headlamps
- Water bottles or hydration packs
- Tips:
- Tipping for guides and porters is not typically included in the price. The recommended tipping amount depends on the number of staff, but it's often around $200-$300 USD for the entire team (guide, assistant guides, and porters) for a group of 1-2 trekkers. For larger groups, the tipping amount may be higher.
- Personal Travel Insurance:
- Comprehensive travel insurance, which includes emergency evacuation in case of injury, illness, or other emergencies, is not included. It’s recommended to arrange this on your own before traveling.
- Souvenirs:
- Any souvenirs or extra personal items purchased during the trek (e.g., Kilimanjaro-related gear, t-shirts, etc.).
- Meals and Accommodation Before/After the Trek:
- Meals and accommodations outside the trek itself, such as those in Moshi or Arusha before and after the climb, are usually not included unless specified in your package.
- Extra Drinks:
- Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks are generally not included during the trek or at your accommodation.
- Additional Services:
- Optional services such as massage, extra tours after the trek (e.g., safari, cultural tours), and upgraded accommodations might not be included.
FAQs
The Marangu Route is considered one of the easier routes up Mount Kilimanjaro due to its gradual incline and the comfort of huts for accommodation. However, it is still a challenging trek, especially on summit day, when you’ll hike overnight to reach the summit (Uhuru Peak) and descend the same day. Trekking at high altitudes can be physically demanding, and altitude sickness can affect anyone. Proper preparation is key!
2. What is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro?
The best times to climb Kilimanjaro are during the dry seasons:
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January to mid-March
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June to October
These months offer the most favorable weather conditions (clear skies and less rain). However, Kilimanjaro can be climbed year-round.
Mount Kilimanjaro stands at 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) above sea level, making it the highest mountain in Africa.
4. How long does the trek take?
The 7-day Marangu Trek typically takes 7 days:
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1 day for arrival and briefing
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5 days of hiking (to summit and descend)
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1 day for departure
This duration allows for proper acclimatization, which increases your chances of successfully summiting.
The success rate for summiting Kilimanjaro depends largely on the route, acclimatization, fitness, and weather. For the Marangu Route, the success rate is around 60-70%. Trekkers who spend more time acclimatizing (like on the 7-day version) tend to have higher success rates.
No prior climbing experience is required, but physical fitness is important. The trek is non-technical, meaning you don’t need specialized mountaineering skills, but you will need to be prepared for long days of hiking and high-altitude conditions. It’s a good idea to train by doing long hikes with a loaded backpack before your trip.
Kilimanjaro trek operators have emergency plans in place. If you experience symptoms of altitude sickness or any other illness, your guide will monitor your health and may recommend descending immediately. There are emergency evacuation plans available, but you should ensure your travel insurance covers this.
Essential items include:
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Warm clothes: The summit temperatures can dip below freezing.
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Layering is key (base layer, fleece jacket, down jacket).
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Trekking boots: Good, broken-in boots that provide ankle support.
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Sleeping bag: A four-season sleeping bag for cold nights.
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Waterproof jacket and pants: The weather can change quickly.
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Headlamp/flashlight: For early morning/late night treks.
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Sunscreen and sunglasses: Even at high altitudes, the sun can be intense.
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Personal hygiene items: Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, etc.
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Trekking poles: Helpful for reducing strain on knees and improving balance.
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Water bottle or hydration system: Stay hydrated throughout the trek.
Some companies offer gear rental (sleeping bags, trekking poles), so check with your operator.
No, you cannot trek Kilimanjaro without a licensed guide. Tanzanian law requires that all climbers be accompanied by a certified guide and porters for their safety.
On the Marangu Route, you’ll stay in huts at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo:
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Mandara Hut: Basic but comfortable with bunks and shared facilities.
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Horombo Hut: Similar to Mandara, but higher up with more expansive views.
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Kibo Hut: The last stop before the summit. Simple and basic, but it’s where you’ll rest before attempting the summit.
Note: Sleeping bags are required (unless provided by the operator).
