Kilimanjaro climbs
Kilimanjaro: 7-day Machame Route
The classic 'Whiskey Route': the most scenic way up Kilimanjaro, with a seventh day that makes a real difference to your summit…
Kilimanjaro climbs
Kilimanjaro: 6-day Marangu Route
The only route with hut accommodation. Sleep in a bunk rather than a tent, with an extra acclimatisation day at Horombo to improve your odds.
- Duration6 days
- DifficultyChallenging
- RouteMarangu
- Max altitude5,895 m
- Best timeJan to Mar, Jun to Oct
- GroupPrivate, 1 to 12 climbers
- Starts / endsMoshi or Arusha
Marangu, sometimes called the ‘Coca-Cola route’, is the oldest trail on Kilimanjaro and the only one where you sleep in huts with mattresses and pillows rather than tents. That makes it popular with climbers who want a little more comfort, and in the rainy season when a dry bunk is worth a lot.
The trade-off is a fast ascent profile, which is why we always add a sixth day at Horombo. The five-day version has one of the lowest summit rates on the mountain and we do not recommend it.
Highlights
- Mountain huts with bunks, mattresses and dining rooms
- Acclimatisation day to Zebra Rocks and Mawenzi Hut
- Cross the Saddle between Kibo and Mawenzi
- Sunrise from Gilman's Point, then Uhuru Peak
- The best choice in the rainy months
Day by day
Register at Marangu Gate and walk up through lush rainforest to Mandara Hut. If there is time, a short walk to Maundi Crater for views over Kenya.
Out of the forest and across open moorland with giant heathers. Kibo and Mawenzi come into view. Horombo is a small village of huts on a ridge.
A day hike up to Zebra Rocks and on towards Mawenzi Hut at around 4,300 m, then back down to sleep at Horombo. This is the day that earns your summit.
Cross the lunar landscape of the Saddle between the two peaks to Kibo Hut, base camp. Early dinner and bed.
Midnight start up the scree to Gilman's Point on the crater rim for sunrise, then around the rim to Uhuru Peak. Descend past Kibo all the way to Horombo.
A long, pleasant descent through moorland and forest to the gate for certificates and your transfer to Moshi.
What's included
Included
- 2 nights hotel in Moshi (before and after the climb), bed and breakfast
- Transfers between Moshi and Marangu Gate
- All park fees, hut fees and rescue fees
- Professional licensed mountain guide, assistant guides, cook and porters
- Hut accommodation on the mountain
- Three hot meals a day on the mountain and boiled drinking water
- Pulse oximeter checks twice daily and a first-aid kit
Not included
- International flights and Tanzanian visa
- Travel insurance (must cover trekking to 6,000 m)
- Personal climbing gear and sleeping bag (available to rent)
- Tips for the mountain crew
- Drinks and personal items
Questions people ask
Are the huts heated?
No. They keep the wind and rain off, and you get a mattress and pillow, but you still need a warm sleeping bag, especially at Kibo Hut.
What climbers say
★★★★★
I was recommended Neeko Tours by a friend who had done the Lemosho Kilimanjaro trek with them. I am so glad I did because we had the most amazing experience with the kindest, strongest and energetic guides, cook and porters! Our guides Harold and Andrew supported us every step of the way up, shared their stories and knowledge with us and gave us the encouragement we needed to keep going on summit night. Our cook gave us hot water bottles at night, made ginger tea when we felt a bit sick and even made us a cake on the mountain to congratulate us on summiting! We were well fed with nutritious and filling meals that I always looked forward to. Lastly, our superhuman porters who do all the hard work to make the experience comfortable for us! They sang us songs, gave us fist bumps and danced with us throughout the trek and on the bus ride back. I highly recommend that you book your Kili trek with Neeko Tours because Gasper and the crew will be sure to keep you safe and give you an experience you won't forget. Their hospitality started long before our trek and continues even after!
★★★★★
Neeko Tours set up a perfect one day trip (including a packed lunch) to Arusha National Park, and we saw all the animals we were hoping to see. Colobus monkeys were a highlight! Lupogo was a great driver, very friendly and funny, also very knowledgeable about the park, and was able to take us to just the right stopping point for great photos. Gasper organized all the details, arranged pick up and drop off at my hotel, always greeted us with a smile and bottles of water. We saw the peak of Mount Meru as the clouds came and went. Definitely recommend Neeko Tours for a short day trip, a multi day safari, or a Mount Kilimanjaro trek.
★★★★★
Neeko tours arranged our Kilimanjaro climb and serengeti trip. They were willing to accomodate our needs and adjust the arrangements based on our requests. Very friendly crew and we were well taken care the entire trip. Highly recommended.
Climb for a reason
Make this climb count for Ikirwa School
Gasper, who runs Neeko, founded a primary school in his home village on land his family gave. Around 200 children learn there. Charity climbers get a discount on the climb, a fundraising page, and a visit to the school to see what they paid for.
Keeping the school buses running
$0 of $6,000 raised
A dining hall for 200 children
$0 of $25,000 raised
Eight classrooms and a dormitory
Completed
$508 sponsors a pupil for a year
$800 furnishes a classroom
$15,000 builds one
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