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Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route

Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route — the trail guide

The Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route is a 68.0 km trek in Tanzania, typically walked in 5-6 days, with 4128 m of total ascent. It rates Hard on our published rubric (61 m of gain per km, topping out at 5874 m). Its operating periods and current access must be checked with the linked route authorities; historical climate averages cannot establish whether the route is open or passable.

An official Kilimanjaro ascent and descent route from Marangu Gate via Mandara, Horombo and Kibo, where TANAPA identifies mountain-station hut accommodation.

Quick facts

Distance68.0 km
Total ascent4128 m
Typical duration5-6 days
Difficulty (computed)Hard
Steepness61 m gain per km
High point5874 m
CountryTanzania
RegionTanzania

Difficulty is computed from gain-per-km and maximum altitude on a published rubric, identically for every trail in the catalogue — so an "Hard" here means the same thing everywhere on DirtbagMaps.

Official planning information

Elevation profile

Low point 1860 m · high point 5874 m · 4128 m total ascent over 68.0 km.

Historical climate normals — month by month

ERA5 reanalysis averages (2015–2024) for the trail area, referenced to approximately 1989 m elevation. These are gridded historical estimates, not observations from every stage and not a forecast. They cannot show current snowpack, river levels, fire restrictions, closures or whether a pass is safe.

MonthAvg highAvg lowAvg precip
Jan21°14°203 mm
Feb22°14°126 mm
Mar22°14°207 mm
Apr20°14°352 mm
May19°13°182 mm
Jun17°12°86 mm
Jul17°11°104 mm
Aug17°11°152 mm
Sep19°12°152 mm
Oct20°13°160 mm
Nov20°14°195 mm
Dec20°14°176 mm

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route?

The Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route is 68.0 km, and most hikers complete it in 5-6 days. Total elevation gain is 4128 m.

How difficult is the Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route?

It rates Hard on DirtbagMaps' computed rubric: 61 m of climbing per km walked with a high point of 5874 m. The rubric classifies every trail from gain-per-km and maximum altitude, so ratings are comparable across the whole catalogue.

What season and condition information is available for the Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route?

TANAPA dry periods: late June–September and December–early March. TANAPA publishes mountain-wide dry and rainy periods, not a Marangu opening calendar or summit forecast. Every climbing group must be guided; TANAPA normally deals with registered or licensed operators unless written permission is granted. This note was reviewed 30 Jul 2026 and is not live status; re-check the linked authorities before booking and departure.

Where is the Kilimanjaro — Marangu Route?

In Tanzania. The route starts near -3.233, 37.517 — the interactive 3D map above shows the full line, and the planner splits it into daily stages.

Can I get the GPX and plan daily stages?

Yes. Open the trail in the DirtbagMaps planner to drag the elevation profile into daily stages, see huts and accommodation along the corridor, and export a per-day GPX for your watch or GPS.

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