The Marangu Route - Climb Kilimanjaro

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The Marangu Route - Mount Kilimanjaro

The Marangu Route is the most popular route, and also considerably easier than any of the other trips to the summit.

The majority of the route is a wide graded trail. The accommodation is also the best compared to other routes.

The bunk beds are provided in "A" frame huts (all other routes are tent only). The forest is very beautiful and Maundi Crater is worth a visit just for the flowers and scenery. The route also affords wonderful views of Kibo and Mawenzi Peaks.

This route is the easiest and should be taken by those who feel less confident with their climbing ability. However the trail is the most heavily used trail and one may not feel alone in the wilderness. This is a benefit in some situations as this is the only route with emergency evacuation.

It generally takes five days for the round trip:

Day 1: Marangu to Mandara Hut
Day 2: Mandara to Horombo Hut
Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Marangu

The schedule, trails and accommodation are designed to allow visitors to acclimate.

Distances:

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut 3-4 hrs

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut 5-7 hrs

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut 5-6 hrs

Kibo Hut to Giliman's Point 5-6 hrs

Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak: 1-2 hrs

Huts:

Mandara Hut - 2700 m. This is a group of comfortable, wooden A-frame huts. The largest cabin has a downstairs dining area and an upstairs dormitory with bunk beds and mattresses; smaller huts sleep 8 each. The total capacity is 60. Water is piped into site from springs above and flush toilets are behind the main cabin.

Horombo Hut - 3720 m. The buildings are similar to Mandara, but total capacity is 120. Water is piped from the stream behind the huts. Do not use this stream or its valley as a waste disposal area. There are platform toilets south-east of main hut, about 80 m down the slope and new flush toilets have been built within the complex of small huts.

Kibo Hut - 4700 m. This stone built block house with a small dining-room and a number of dormitory rooms leading off a main corridor has bunk beds and mattresses for 60 people. Water: None, so we bring an adequate supply from the 'Last Water' stream above Horombo Hut. Platform toilets are behind the hut (to the southwest).

All huts are fairly basic and heavily used, but they provide more comfort than sleeping in a tent. All other routes up Kilimanjaro use backpacking tents.