Kilimanjaro climb · Private crew
Kilimanjaro: Marangu Route, 6 Days
The hut route with one more night at Horombo to get used to the altitude: a better chance of reaching the summit than the 5-day version, with a private crew.
- 6 days
- Uhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- Private guide and crew
From$2,403per climber, group of six
Climb overview
Your climb at a glance
- Length6 days on the mountain
- SummitUhuru Peak, 5,895 m
- DifficultyModerate
- DistanceAbout 62 km
- Starts and endsMarangu Gate → Marangu Gate
- SleepingMountain huts with bunk beds
- Best monthsJan – Mar, Jun – Oct
- Sleep in mountain huts with bunk beds, not tents.
- An extra acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut, which helps on summit night.
- The gentlest gradient on the mountain, on a well-made path.
- Private guide and porter crew throughout.
Where you walk
Route map
Your route, camp by camp
- 1Start Marangu GateDay 1 · start · 1,860 m
- 2Mandara HutDay 1 · Night 1 · 2,720 m
- 3Horombo HutDay 2 · Night 2 · 3,720 m
- 4Zebra RocksDay 3 · acclimatisation walk · 4,020 m
- 5Horombo HutDay 3 · Night 3 · 3,720 m
- 6Kibo HutDay 4 · Night 4 · 4,720 m
- 7Gilman's PointDay 5 · crater rim · 5,685 m
- 8Uhuru PeakDay 5 · summit · 5,895 m
- 9Horombo HutDay 5 · Night 5 · 3,720 m
- 10End Marangu GateDay 6 · finish · 1,860 m
Approximate route between camps.
Itinerary
Day by day
Register at Marangu Gate and walk up through rainforest on a wide path to Mandara Hut. In the afternoon, a short walk to the Maundi Crater rim if you have the energy. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
TonightMandara Hut (2,720m)Full boardLeave the forest for open moorland with giant groundsels and lobelias, and first views of Kibo and Mawenzi, to Horombo Hut. Around 6–7 hours of walking.
TonightHorombo Hut (3,720m)Full boardWalk up to Zebra Rocks (about 4,020 m) towards Mawenzi and come back down to Horombo to sleep. Climbing high and sleeping low helps your body adjust. Around 3–4 hours of walking.
TonightHorombo Hut (3,720m)Full boardCross the wide, high desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to Kibo Hut. Rest, eat early and sleep a few hours before the summit night. Around 6–7 hours of walking.
TonightKibo Hut (4,720m)Full boardLeave around midnight and climb the scree to Gilman's Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim, then along the rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m). Descend to Kibo Hut for a rest, then on to Horombo Hut. Around 12–14 hours of walking.
TonightHorombo Hut (3,720m)Full boardWalk down through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, collect your summit certificate and transfer back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. Around 6–7 hours of walking.
Want an extra acclimatisation day or a safari after the climb? Ask us to adjust it
Where you sleep
Huts on this climb
Mountain hut · 2,720m
Mandara Hut
About this hutShared huts with bunk beds and mattresses · Meals cooked by your crew
1 nightMountain hut · 3,720m
Horombo Hut
About this hutShared huts with bunk beds and mattresses · Meals cooked by your crew
2 nightsMountain hut · 4,720m
Kibo Hut
About this hutShared huts with bunk beds and mattresses · Meals cooked by your crew
1 nightMountain hut · 3,720m
Horombo Hut
About this hutShared huts with bunk beds and mattresses · Meals cooked by your crew
1 night
On every climb: a head guide, a cook, a waiter and porters to carry your bags and food.
What it costs
Climb pricing
| Climb | 1 climber | 2 climbers | 3 climbers | 4 climbers | 5 climbers | 6+ climbersBest value | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private climb, full crew | $3,743 | $2,876 | $2,638 | $2,542 | $2,493 | $2,403 | Get quote |
- Per climber. Crew size depends on group size, so the price per person falls as more of you climb together.
- Deposit to confirm: 20% for camping safaris, 40% for lodge safaris.
The fine print
What the price covers
Included
- Your own guide and porter crew for the full climb
- Park entry & camping fees
- Hut bunks and meals cooked by your crew throughout the trek
- Transfers between your hotel and the gates
- Summit certificate on completion
Not included
- International & domestic flights
- Tanzania visa fees
- Sleeping bag & personal trekking gear
- Tips for your guide and porter crew
- Travel & medical/evacuation insurance
Tipping your crew Tipping guide
- Head guideUS$20–25 per day
- Assistant guideUS$15–20 per day
- CookUS$15–20 per day
- Assistant cookUS$10–15 per day
- PorterUS$10–15 per day
In pictures
Photo gallery
Good to know
Questions about this climb
Do I need climbing experience?
No. It is a long walk at altitude, with no scrambling. Good fitness and a steady pace matter more.
Which route should I choose?
Lemosho for the best acclimatisation and a quieter start. Machame for great scenery in fewer days. Marangu if you prefer huts to tents.
When is the best time to climb?
January to March and June to October are the driest months on the mountain.
What if I feel ill at altitude?
Your guide checks your oxygen and pulse every evening. If symptoms get worse, you descend with a member of the crew; going down is the treatment.
Is a sleeping bag included?
No. Bring a four-season bag, or ask us to rent one in Moshi.
How much should we tip the crew?
Roughly US$20–25 a day for the head guide and US$10–15 a day per porter. The full table is on our tipping page.
Before you go
What to pack
Mountain packing listSleeping and warmth
- Four-season sleeping bag (rated −10 °C or lower)
- Waterproof jacket and trousers
- Insulated down jacket for summit night
- Warm hat, gloves and buff
On your feet
- Broken-in waterproof hiking boots
- Trekking poles
Gear
- Head torch with spare batteries
- 2–3 litres of water capacity
- Daypack of about 30 litres
Sun and health
- Sun hat, sunglasses, high-SPF sunscreen
- Personal medication
- Hand sanitiser
Guest reviews
Travellers on travelling with Makini
5.0Excellent · 105+ reviews
The communication with the company was very good, and we were in good hands from the minute we arrived… we got a lot of value for the money.
Saudat N. TripAdvisor The communication with Lucas via WhatsApp was always very friendly, direct and immediate… our tour guide Aboh was very familiar with all animals and plants.
Godfrey M. TripAdvisor Great value local Tanzanian operator that provided an unforgettable safari experience.
Damas F. TripAdvisor
Keep exploring
Other climbs
All climbs
Make this climb your own
Tell us your dates and how many are climbing. We’ll send the plan back with your price, and add a safari or Zanzibar if you’d like.