Afordable Kilimanjaro Climb via Marabgu Route
Offered by - Cross to Africa Safaris Ltd
Tour Features
Total hiking distance: About 96 km (Excluding any acclimatization hikes on day 3) Affectionately known as the “Coca-Cola route”, Marangu is by far the most popular route to the summit of Kilimanjaro. This could partly be as a result of the fact that the Marangu is the least expensive route, but more so, perhaps the fact that it is possible to do the Marangu route in 5 days, thereby getting to the summit one day earlier than on the Kilimanjaro Machame route.
Budget tour | This budget tour includes camping and tented camps. |
Cannot be customized | The accommodations and destinations of this tour cannot be changed. |
Shared tour | This tour will be shared with other travelers. Maximum 8 people. |
Solo travel available | Solo travelers can book this tour. |
Can start any day | If availability permits, this tour can start on any day. |
No minimum age | There is no minimum age for this tour. |
Transportation | This tour uses: Walking. |
Route & Activities
Tanzania
Activities Included
Accommodation & Meals
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Day | Accommodation | Meals |
1 | Mandara hut No images available | All Meals Included |
2 | Horombo hut No images available | All Meals Included |
3 | Horombo hut No images available | All Meals Included |
4 | Kibo hut No images available | All Meals Included |
5 | Horombo hut No images available | All Meals Included |
6 | No accommodation on last day No images available | Breakfast & Lunch Included |
Arrival (See Getting There for more details)
- A transfer from the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.
- Day 1 - From your hotel in Moshi tow to Marangu Gate (1980m) – MandaHiking time: 5 hours | Distance: About 12 km | Habitat: Mountain Forest The drive from Arusha town to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about one hour and half. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your day pack items (containing at least drinking water, your lunch pack and extra clothing) with you as the porters ascend a lot quicker than the hikers. Our guides will be available to assist with any additional information or needs you might have. Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting.
Accommodation: Mandara hut
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 2 - Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m)Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km’s | Habitat: Moorland From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Seneca Kilimanjaro), which can reach heights of 5m! After about 6 hours from here you reach the Horombo hut, where you will have hot washing water, rest; an evening meal and overnight.
Accommodation: Horombo hut
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 3 - Horombo hut (3720m) – Acclimatization dayHorombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Normally bustling with hikers, guides, porters and with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. This extra day and night at Horombo are for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Remember to drink enough water and move slowly! All meals for the day are provided at the hut. Retire to bed early and get a last good night’s rest.
Accommodation: Horombo hut
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 4 - Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m)Hiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 15 km’s | Habitat: Alpine desert After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the “Saddle” (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route (right hand fork) and lower route (left hand fork) to choose from. The recommended lower route (left hand fork) is much easier and nearly an hour and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. You will have to fill your water bottles with all the water you will need until your return to Horombo hut in two night’s time. Once again remember to slow down and drink enough water! The summit is now a further 1195m up and you will make your final ascent the same night. Prepare your equipment, ski-stick and thermal clothing for your summit bid.
Accommodation: Kibo hut
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 5 - Summit Attempt, Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – HoroHiking time: 8 hours to Uhuru – 6 hours to descend to Horombo | Distance: 6 km’s ascent – 21 km’s descent | Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. Total exhilaration and satisfaction – you made it. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long you will be able to spend, taking photographs, before the 3-hour descent back to Kibo hut. Later in the evening you enjoy your last dinner at Horombo hut.
Accommodation: Horombo hut
Meals & Drinks: All Meals Included
- Day 6 - Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980mHiking time: 6 hours | Distance: About 27 km. Upon arrival at the gate, you will meet your driver who will transfer you back to Moshi for your overnight stay at your own arranged Hotel.
Accommodation: No accommodation on last day
Meals & Drinks: Breakfast & Lunch Included
End of tour (See Getting There for more details)
- Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
- A transfer back to the airport can be arranged for an extra cost.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
Excludes
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Rates Per Person
May 15, 2023 - Dec 31, 2023
*n/a = not available. This tour is unavailable for solo travelers.
Includes
- Park fees (for non-residents)
- All activities mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- Meals (as specified in the day-by-day description)
- A professional driver/guide
- All transportation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional)
- All Taxes/VAT
Excludes
- All accommodation mentioned (unless clearly labeled as optional upgrade)
- International flights (from/to the client's home country)
- Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour
- Tips: tipping guideline of $6 per person per day for the guide and crew
- Personal items (souvenirs, travel insurance, visa fees and other personal items)
- Government imposed increase of taxes and/or park fees
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Moshi and ends in Moshi, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Getting There
Tanzania is a beautiful East African country with neighbours Kenya to the north and Mozambique to the south and the Indian Ocean to the east. It is known for its vibrant culture, wonderful national parks, diverse fauna and flora and of course the great wildebeest migration. If you are planning a safari trip to Tanzania then you should find out all about flights to Tanzania, passport and visa requirements.
Tanzania’s main airport is Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR) located 13km/8mi southwest of Dar es Salaam. The latter is the entry point for visitors to the southern parks.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) is situated 46km/29mi east of Arusha, the gateway of Tanzania’s most popular Northern safari circuit.
This tour starts in Moshi and ends in Moshi, Tanzania
A transfer from and back to the airport is included
Additional accommodation before and at the end of the tour can be arranged for an extra cost
Travel Requirements
- All foreign visitors need a passport that is valid for at least six months
- Passports must have a clean and a full visa page for endorsement.
- When arriving from a yellow-fever-infected country in Africa or the Americas a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.
- Citizens of most countries require a visa. A list of countries that don't need a visa is available.
- Visas are best obtained in advance through an official online visa-application portal (https://eservices.immigration.go.tz/visa/), but they can also be obtained through your local Tanzania Embassy or High Commission.
- Visas can also be obtained on arrival but this is a lengthy process that can take one to two hours.
Offered By

Cross to Africa Safaris Ltd
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