Hiking guide

Marangu route, Kilimanjaro: hut by hut to Uhuru Peak

Updated 8 November 2026

Marangu is the oldest and most established route up Kilimanjaro, approaching from the south-east. It is the only route where you sleep in huts rather than tents, and you go up and come down the same path. Here is the climb hut by hut, from Marangu Gate to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m.

Kilimanjaro Marangu route framed 3D map on a wall

Hut by hut

Marangu is climbed in five or six days. The six-day plan, with a rest day at Horombo, goes like this:

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut: about 8 km and four to five hours through rainforest, from about 1,840 m to about 2,700 m. Blue monkeys live near the top of the forest.
Mandara to Horombo Hut: about 12 km and six to eight hours. The forest opens into moorland and you get your first views of Kibo and Mawenzi, two of Kilimanjaro's three volcanic peaks. Horombo is at about 3,720 m.
Rest day at Horombo: a walk up towards Mawenzi Ridge, at about 4,390 m, and back. The five-day plan skips this day.
Horombo to Kibo Hut: about 10 km and six to eight hours, crossing the bare Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to Kibo Hut at about 4,700 m, at the foot of the crater wall.
Summit night: leave around midnight and climb in the dark to Gilman's Point on the crater rim, usually as the sun rises over Mawenzi, then on to Uhuru Peak. Most groups walk back down to Horombo the same day.
Last day: Horombo to Marangu Gate, about 20 km, mostly downhill and often muddy in the forest.

Terrain and how hard it is

Marangu has a gradual slope and a direct path, which is why it is often called the easiest route. The catch is time: the short itinerary makes acclimatisation harder, so the six-day plan is the better choice.

The huts are dormitories, with 60 bunks each at Mandara and Kibo and 120 at Horombo. Mattresses and pillows are provided but you still need a sleeping bag. The lower huts have flushing toilets; Kibo has long-drop toilets.

Summit night is the hardest part: hours of climbing in the dark, with wind and cold that can be extreme. Because you go up and down the same way, Marangu is less varied than other routes and often busy.

On our map the Marangu line from the gate to Uhuru Peak covers about 33.4 km.

Best time of year

Kilimanjaro has two dry seasons. The short dry season runs from December to mid-March, with the clearest conditions in January and February. The long dry season runs from late June to October and is the most popular time to climb, with July and August the busiest months.

The long rains, from late March to mid-June, are the worst time to go: trails are slippery, visibility is low and the cloud is heavy. November brings the short rains.

What to bring

Your operator provides food and the communal kit. You bring your own clothing and personal gear:

A waterproof jacket and waterproof trousers.
An insulated jacket, a fleece and warm base layers for summit night.
A warm hat, a sun hat, warm gloves and a neck gaiter.
Warm, waterproof hiking boots and wool or synthetic socks.
A warm four-season sleeping bag.
A head torch with spare batteries.
Trekking poles for the long descent.
Water bottles or a bladder, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm.
Zip-top bags only for toiletries: Tanzania has a general ban on plastic bags.

Getting there, entry and fees

Kilimanjaro National Park is reached from Moshi or Arusha, and most climbers fly into Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) or Arusha Airport. Marangu Gate is on the south-eastern side, close to the park headquarters at Marangu, and operators arrange the transfer from town.

TANAPA rules say every climb must be guided by a licensed operator; solo trekking is not allowed. The Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA) tariff lists these fees for an adult on Marangu: entrance TZS 178,850 for non-residents, TZS 89,425 for expatriate residents and TZS 10,000 for East African citizens; hut fee TZS 153,300 for non-residents and expatriates and TZS 5,000 for East African citizens; rescue fee TZS 51,100 for non-residents and expatriates and TZS 2,000 for East African citizens.

All amounts are in Tanzanian shillings, valid from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and TANAPA says they include 18% VAT where it applies. Children aged 5 to 15 pay lower rates and children under 5 enter free. Conservation fees are valid for 24 hours from the time of entry. Your operator usually pays these as part of the climb. Official pages: www.tanzaniaparks.go.tz/tourism/visitor-information/tariff and www.tanzaniaparks.go.tz/kilimanjaro/visitor-guide

Checked on 8 November 2026 against the official park website; confirm current fees before you go.

Keep the climb

We print the route on the real terrain, so the mountain rises off the wall in 3D with your line raised in colour. Add your names and summit date and it becomes the record of the climb.

Common questions

Is Marangu the easiest route up Kilimanjaro?

It has a gradual slope and huts, so it is often called the easiest. But the short itinerary leaves less time to acclimatise, so take the six-day plan with a rest day at Horombo.

What are the huts on the Marangu route?

Mandara Hut at about 2,700 m, Horombo Hut at about 3,720 m and Kibo Hut at about 4,700 m. They are dormitories with mattresses, but you still need a sleeping bag.

How long is the Marangu route?

On our map the Marangu line from Marangu Gate to Uhuru Peak covers about 33.4 km. You come down the same way.

What are the Kilimanjaro park fees on Marangu?

TANAPA lists entrance at TZS 178,850 per adult for non-residents, plus a hut fee of TZS 153,300 and a rescue fee of TZS 51,100, with lower rates for expatriates and East African citizens. Climbs must use a licensed operator. Checked on 8 November 2026; confirm before you go.