Marangu Route – Kilimanjaro’s Hut Accommodated Trail
This page provides a comprehensive and impartial guide to climbing Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route.
Please note: We are not a tour operator, but we can put you in touch with our recommended partner, see details below.
As this is a very long and detailed article on the Marangu Route, we recommend using the quicklinks below to navigate to the sections that interest you most. Alternatively, bookmark this page for future reference.
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Marangu Route
Overview
The Marangu Route, which approaches the mountain from the southeast, is the only route up the mountain which offers hut accommodation, as opposed to the tents which are used on other routes.
It is also special as it can be completed in as little as five days, offering the quickest route to Uhuru Peak. An extra acclimatisation day is recommended, however, therefore the route is typically completed in six days.
Due to the availability of hut accommodation and its low cost, the Marangu Route is the most popular route on the mountain for beginners -- as such, its success rate is lower than some of the other routes, as many hikers underestimate the difficulty of reaching the peak of Kilimanjaro.
Marangu Pros and Cons
Marangu Route Map
The map illustrates the Marangu Route, which begins on the South-eastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro.
The route ascends and descends on the same trail.
Marangu Altitude Profile
The Marangu Route has one of the poorer route profiles on Kilimanjaro, as there is very little opportunity to Climb High and Sleep Low.
The route to the summit is also pretty rapid, which means that there is not much time to properly acclimatise.
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Marangu Itinerary
The Marangu route can be completed in 5 or 6 days. Below is a detailed itinerary for the five-day Marangu Route. For details on the six-day variation, see the Route Variations section below.
Click each day to read more...
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Marangu Route Variations
The Marangu Route is operated as either a five-day or a six-day trek. In order to allow enough time for acclimatisation, it is recommended that trekkers take the six-day route. The only difference between the two routes is an extra day spent at Horombo Hut to acclimatise; many trekkers spend this day taking photos and exploring the nearby terrain. It is a rare opportunity for some downtime.
Video Overview
A great overview of the Marangu Route, demonstrating the sights and sounds you can expect on this beautiful trail.
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Recommended Guidebook
Mount Kilimanjaro: Trekkers Guide to the Summit
Mount Kilimanjaro: Trekkers Guide to the Summit is a practical and super insightful guidebook that has been used by 1000s of climbers as an authoritative resource to prepare for Mount Kilimanjaro.
The book is available on Amazon Kindle or an eBook version can be downloaded here.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are permits required for the Marangu Route?
When is the best time to trek the Marangu Route?
Is altitude sickness a risk?
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Other Routes
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