Skip to main content
Absolute Holiday Safaris
Kilimanjaro glowing at dusk

Tanzania · Guided climb · Mountain trek

6 Days Mt Kilimanjaro – Marangu Route

The hut route, with an acclimatisation day

The Marangu route with an extra acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut, giving your body more time to adjust before the summit.

  • 6 days
  • Tanzania
  • Mountain trek

Price on request

The journey in brief

Duration
6 days
Destinations
Kilimanjaro
Start
Arusha
End
Arusha
Travel type
Guided climb
Accommodation
Mountain huts and camps
Transport
Road transfers between Arusha and Marangu Gate.
Price
Price on request

The experience

At a glance.

The six-day Marangu climb adds a full day at Horombo Hut. You walk a short circuit higher on the mountain and return to sleep lower, which helps you acclimatise before the final push.

You stay in huts throughout, with a guide, porters and a cook supporting the climb.

Highlights

  • 01

    Acclimatisation day at Horombo

  • 02

    Hut accommodation throughout

  • 03

    Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) via Gilman's Point

  • 04

    Summit certificate on a successful climb

The route

Your journey.

  1. Stop 01

    Arusha

  2. Stop 02

    Marangu Gate

  3. Stop 03

    Mandara Hut

  4. Stop 04

    Horombo Hut

  5. Stop 05

    Kibo Hut

  6. Stop 06

    Uhuru Peak

  7. Stop 07

    Arusha

Arusha → Marangu Gate → Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak → Arusha

Send to a friend

Day by day

The journey, in detail.

Walking times and distances are approximate and depend on your pace and conditions on the mountain.

  1. A misty trail through Kilimanjaro's montane rainforest

    Day 1 / Arusha → Marangu Gate → Mandara Hut

    Rainforest to Mandara

    Meet your guide, porters and cook, drive to Marangu Gate and walk through the rainforest, looking out for birds and colobus monkeys, to Mandara Hut.

    On the trail
    Approx. 7 km · 4–5 hours · 2,740 m
    Meals
    Lunch and dinner
    Overnight
    Mandara Hut · Kilimanjaro
  2. Giant lobelia with Kilimanjaro's slopes behind

    Day 2 / Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut

    To Horombo

    Leave the forest and climb across moorland to Horombo, with views of Kibo and Mawenzi.

    On the trail
    Approx. 11 km · 6–8 hours · 3,700 m
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
    Overnight
    Horombo Hut · Kilimanjaro
  3. Day 3 / Horombo Hut

    Acclimatisation day

    A guided walk higher towards Mawenzi, then back to Horombo to rest and sleep at a lower altitude.

    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
    Overnight
    Horombo Hut · Kilimanjaro
  4. Volcanic lava rock on the Shira Plateau of Kilimanjaro

    Day 4 / Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut

    To Kibo Hut

    Cross the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo as the vegetation gives way to a stony alpine desert.

    On the trail
    Approx. 10 km · 6–8 hours · 4,700 m
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
    Overnight
    Kibo Hut · Kilimanjaro
  5. Snow-dusted peak rising above a sea of clouds at sunrise

    Day 5 / Kibo Hut → Uhuru Peak → Horombo Hut

    Summit day

    Leave between 2 and 3am, climbing past Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak around sunrise, then descend to Horombo.

    On the trail
    Approx. 18 km in total · 12–15 hours · 5,895 m
    Meals
    Breakfast, lunch and dinner
    Overnight
    Horombo Hut · Kilimanjaro
  6. Trekking tents at a high camp with Kilimanjaro's summit behind

    Day 6 / Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate → Arusha

    Down to Arusha

    The final descent through moorland and forest to Marangu Gate, then transfer to Arusha or Moshi.

    On the trail
    Approx. 18 km · 5–6 hours
    Meals
    Breakfast and lunch
    Overnight
    Journey ends · Arusha

Where you stay

Huts and camps.

Nights are spent in the huts or campsites on the route, with your crew preparing meals.

  • Kilimanjaro · 1 night

    Mandara Hut

  • Kilimanjaro · 2 nights

    Horombo Hut

  • Kilimanjaro · 1 night

    Kibo Hut

  • Kilimanjaro · 1 night

    Horombo Hut

Pricing

A clear way forward.

Price on request

This safari is priced for your exact dates. Lodge rates, park fees and availability vary through the year, so we confirm a written price once we know your dates and party size.

Prices can depend on travel dates, party size, accommodation availability and changes to park fees. All terms are confirmed in writing before you book.

The details

What is included.

Included

  • Transport to and from the base of the mountain
  • Park entrance, camping or hut fees
  • Services of a mountain guide, porters and a cook
  • Accommodation in mountain huts or tents as listed
  • Meals on the mountain
  • Kilimanjaro National Park entrance and rescue fees
  • Boiled drinking water on the mountain
  • Summit certificate for a successful climb

Not included

  • Personal trekking gear and a mountain-grade sleeping bag (some items can be hired)
  • Travel insurance that covers high-altitude trekking
  • Tips for guides, porters and cook
  • Accommodation before and after the climb unless stated
  • Items of a personal nature

Before you travel

Good to know.

  • Altitude

    Uhuru Peak is 5,895 m. Altitude affects everyone differently, regardless of fitness. Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Descending is the most effective response to serious symptoms.

  • Fitness and health

    You do not need climbing experience, but you should be comfortable walking for six to eight hours on consecutive days. Speak to a doctor before booking if you have any heart, lung or blood-pressure condition.

  • Gear

    Bring a warm down jacket, waterproof layers, broken-in boots, a head torch, gloves, a warm hat and a four-season sleeping bag. Gaiters and trekking poles help on the muddy lower trails.

  • Travel documents

    Check passport validity and entry requirements for every country on your route with official government sources before you travel.

  • Health and insurance

    Ask a travel-health professional about vaccinations and malaria precautions, and take out travel insurance that covers your activities.

  • Altitude and fitness

    Walk slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your guide early if you feel unwell. Speak to a doctor before booking a high-altitude trek.

Questions travellers ask

A few useful answers.

Can this itinerary be changed?

Often, yes. Tell us what you would like to change and we will confirm what is possible for your dates.

Why is the price on request?

Prices for this safari depend on your dates, party size and accommodation availability, so we quote for your exact trip.

What happens after I enquire?

We reply with availability, any suggestions for your dates and a written quote. Nothing is booked until you have agreed the quote and booking terms.

Do I need climbing experience?

No technical climbing experience is needed on this route, but you should be fit and prepared for long days at altitude. Speak to a doctor before booking.

Keep exploring

  • The summit signpost at Uhuru Peak on KilimanjaroMountain trek

    5 days · Tanzania · Guided climb

    5 Days Mt Kilimanjaro Climbing – Marangu Route

    The hut route to Uhuru Peak

    Mountain trek · Huts & camps

    The fastest Kilimanjaro itinerary, on the Marangu route with nights in huts: Mandara, Horombo and Kibo, then the summit and descent.

    Price on request

  • Snow-dusted peak rising above a sea of clouds at sunriseMountain trek

    7 days · Tanzania · Guided climb

    7 Days Mt Kilimanjaro – Machame Route

    Machame with an extra night at Karanga

    Mountain trek · Huts & camps

    The seven-day Machame climb, adding a night at Karanga Camp after the Barranco Wall for better acclimatisation before Barafu and the summit.

    Price on request

  • Snow-dusted ridges of Mount Kenya against a blue skyMountain trek

    5 days · Kenya · Guided climb

    5 Days Mount Kenya – Sirimon to Chogoria

    A traverse with time to acclimatise

    Mountain trek · Huts & camps

    A five-day Mount Kenya traverse with an acclimatisation day around the peaks before a sunrise ascent of Point Lenana and the descent down the Chogoria side.

    USD 750 pp

The next step

Ready to shape this safari around you?

Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We will check availability and send a written quote; nothing is booked until you agree.

Use Plan My Safari to send your dates, travellers and preferences for this safari. It takes about two minutes.

Still deciding?

Tell us what you have in mind.

If this safari is close but not quite right, describe your ideal trip and we will suggest a route.

6 days · Tanzania

Price on request

Plan this safari
WhatsApp