Kilimanjaro Marangu (6 Day Route)

Despite being only 6 days, the Marangu route is not easy. Kilimanjaro is a steep mountain with a long summit day. You'll need to be in good physical condition and fit enough to hike for up to 12 hours a day. The high altitude and low oxygen levels make this trek more challenging. To train, we recommend running or playing sports at least two to three times a week. It's also great to do a few practice hikes with a 5kg rucksack.

We recommend that you check with your personal healthcare advisor or travel doctor before your trip to Africa. We have provided a useful link below where you can find the latest NHS advice for travel in Tanzania.

The following is a packing list for Kilimanjaro: Documents: • Passport • Travel insurance details • Boarding passes for flights • Two passport photos • Driver’s license (if needed) • Cards and cash Gear and clothing (please make sure that you have non-cotton clothing for trekking): • Sleeping bag liner (optional) • Trekking boots: all-season, lightweight • Two base-layer t-shirts (e.g. running t-shirts) • Fleece/soft-shell jacket • Waterproof jacket • Down jacket for warmth • Travel clothes and city wear • Underwear • Base-layer trousers (optional) • Waterproof trousers • Trekking trousers • Trekking shorts (optional) • Multiple pairs thick wool mountaineering socks • Lightweight and breathable trekking socks • Gloves and wool hat • Small daypack (35l capacity is generally fine) • Duffel or rucksack with straps to go over your back • Dry Liner or Dry Bag • Water bottle/thermos: At least 2L. Nalgene bottles best. • Sunglasses • Suncream • General toiletries, contact lenses, glasses (if needed) • Towel • Electronics (head torch, travel adaptor, phone & charger) • Lip balm • Travel wash • Hand sanitiser, wet wipes • Trekking poles (optional) If you don't want to purchase your own kit or need to travel light, you can hire most of the equipment from our guides in-country. Get in touch for the list and rental prices. Please note that all plastic bags, regardless of their thickness, are prohibited from being brought into Tanzania. This excludes packaging for medical supplies.

When you go above altitudes of 2,500m (as is the case on Kilimanjaro), there is less oxygen which poses a risk of altitude sickness. High altitude sickness can happen to anybody, regardless of age or fitness. Symptoms vary between individuals but commonly include headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, and numbness in fingers and toes. These symptoms can come on unexpectedly and get severe quickly. To decrease the chances of experiencing altitude sickness, you need to allow your body time to acclimatise properly. Although impossible to completely prevent, we've designed our itineraries to give guests the best chance to adjust to the altitude changes. Ahsante guides have years of experience in recognizing and helping guests deal with altitude sickness. Note that oxygen is not used on Kilimanjaro to help guests reach the summit or to 'treat' altitude sickness. The only cure for altitude sickness is to immediately descend to lower ground. In severe cases, oxygen may be given to provide enough temporary relief to allow the affected guest to descend. In extreme cases, altitude sickness on Kilimanjaro can be fatal. We put your safety first. Our guides have years of experience, and their decision on whether or not to continue is final.

Most non-citizens need a Tanzanian tourist visa. This is easily obtained upon arrival. Tanzanian visas are also available online. Beware when purchasing your visa online, as there are illegitimate companies that try to sell them. Below is a link to the official Tanzanian High Commission UK website. While applying for a visa, you will need the following host company details: Full Name: Ahsante Tours & Safaris Limited Mobile number: +255759690257 Email: info@ahsantetours.com Company name/Registration number: 100817209 Physical address: Plot 29-A, Karanga Drive, Moshi – Kilimanjaro Accommodation (where you will stay): Panama Garden Resort Address: P.O.Box 6907, Lema Road

Yes, if you are travelling solo and would like your own room and tent for the duration of the trip, you can pay for a single supplement. The single supplement is an optional extra with a cost of $90 per traveller. This is payable in-country. Should you not wish to apply the single supplement, we will pair you with another group member to share accommodation during the trek (twin hotel room and shared tent).

One of the unique points on the Marangu route is the hut accommodation. It's the only route where you sleep in huts instead of camp in tents. The Mandara, Kibo, and Homboro huts provide shelter, sleeping quarters (in dormitory-style rooms), and dining facilities.

You stay in a hotel at the beginning and end of the trek. The Marangu route is the only Kilimanjaro route where you will be sleeping in huts during the trek. Generally, the lodging is twin shared rooms and basic showering facilities. Single supplements are available for the duration of the trip for an additional $90. Please ensure you request this by messaging us before you depart. If you need to book any additional nights at the hotel, you can book using the link below.

It is customary in Tanzania to tip guides and porters. The amount that you tip is completely up to you. As a good rule of thumb, participants will generally tip around US$200 per customer (not per guide). You can give this to the head guide, and they will distribute it amongst the team of guides, porters, and cooks.

Portable toilets are an optional extra. The cost for this extra service is $150, payable at our offices, in-country. The group can decide whether they would like this extra service and split the cost between group members.

You start and end your tour with us at Kilimanjaro International Airport. On the first date of your trip, there are three available pick-up times (10:00 AM, 5:00 PM, or 11:59 PM). On the last day, you can fly out at any time. Your guides will arrange transfers that work best for the group. Guests typically fly with BA, Air France or Qatar. However, we'd recommend comparing a few airlines.

You have chefs with you on the hike who can cater to all dietary requirements. During the trek, you get three nutritious and filling meals each day to keep energy levels high. Please provide full details of any dietary requirements and allergies on your Trip Form. You will receive a link to fill this out shortly after booking. You can also update the form on your Skyhook dashboard. Note that lunch (at the hotel) on your first and final day is not included.

Every day on the trek we provide you with filtered water to fill up your bottles. The water is filtered and boiled by a Katadyn filtration system. We recommend you also bring water purification tablets or a filter bottle.

The Marangu route covers approximately 70 kilometres round trip. It takes 6 days to complete the trek, allowing for acclimatisation and gradual altitude gain.

Most groups have 12 people, with a maximum of 14.

See above for inclusions and exclusions.

The currency used in Tanzania is Tanzanian Shillings. Some places will accept USD($). However, you will be given an unfavourable exchange rate if you pay in dollars.

Yes, of course! Safari in Tanzania is an amazing experience - simply message the Skyhook team before/after booking and we'll help you arrange a 2-7 day safari experience.

Kilimanjaro is very close to the equator, so the temperatures are very similar year-round. They can range from around 20°C(68°F) at the base to -10°C (14°F) on the summit. The dry season is June-September, and during these times, there is typically just a dusting of snow on the summit. These are also the busiest months. The wet season is Nov-May, where snow depth on the summit can regularly be 20-30cm.

The minimum age for this trek is 18 years.