5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

• You'll be collected from the airport.
• Accommodation before the tour starts can be arranged for an extra cost.

Moshi – Marangu gate – Mandara Hut 1900M to 2700 M

Distance: 8 km

Hiking time: 4-5 hrs

Habitat: Montane Forest

The actual hike begins at the park gate 6000 feet, and we hike 5.5 miles up to Mandara Hut 8860 feet near the upper edge of the forest line. The hike takes about 4-6 hours. The path is interesting, starting off through rain forest vegetation, and then opening up to giant heather. If time and weather permit, a short walk from Mandara to Maundi Crater is worth the effort.
Accommodations here, as well as at Horombo, are in wooden A-frame huts that sleep 4 to 8.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• Lunch & dinner (Breakfast not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Mandara Hut– Horombo Hut 2700M to 3700M

Distance: 11 km

Hiking time: 6-8 hrs

Habitat: Heath and moorland

Today the destination is Horombo Hut at 12200 feet. It takes a good 5-6 hours to cover the 10-mile journey and we often get our first views of the Kibo summit. The trail is strenuous and slippery and takes us clear of the forests and out onto the moorland. It passes beneath the rocky southern face of Mawenzi-one of the three volcanoes that make up Kilimanjaro. Rainfall in this region is frequent.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Horombo Hut 3700 m – Kibo hut

Distance: 4 km

Hiking time: 1-2 hrs

Habitat: Heath and moorland

Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.. Although somewhat shorter in distance, this usually takes 7 hours because it is steeper, and the altitude slows everyone down. The route passes directly up onto the Saddle, a wide, flat area with the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi looming.
overhead. Views from here can be fantastic. The last part of the trail passes across the arid plateau before ascending to Kibo Hut. Kibo Hut is a stone hut with rooms that sleep 10-15 people in bunk beds. We will have a light dinner and turn in early for any sleep if possible. The guides give a little pre-climb talk after dinner.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Kibo Hut 4700 m – Gilman – Uhuru – Horombo

Elevation: 3700M to 4700M

Distance: 9 km

Hiking time: 6-8 hrs

Habitat: Alpine desert

We are awakened at about midnight and have tea and biscuits in preparation for the climb ahead. The guides try to get everyone ready to climb as quickly as possible, leaving between 1:00-1:30 a.m. Starting off, the trail swings back and forth up a steep scree slope and the ambience is bitterly cold. The summit climb is an event you will not forget, with the night sky full of stars and only you’re breathing to help focus your mind. Most climbers arrive at Gillman’s Point, elevation 18,635 feet, in time to enjoy sunrise at around 6:30 a.m. The views from the top looking down on the plains of Africa make it all worthwhile. Some climbers decide that they have reached their goal and head down from here. For those who still have some fight in them, the true summit at Uhuru Peak (19,340 feet) is an additional 3 hours’ round-trip. The
descent from Gillman’s Point is fairly rapid, taking about 2 hours.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

• All meals included
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

Horombo Hut 3700 m – Marangu - Moshi

Elevation: 4700M to 5895 and down to 3700M

Distance: 6 km up/15 km down/9 km to Horombo

Hiking time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit

Today involves a long 14-mile hike back to the Marangu gate and park’s headquarters. We will stop at the hotel, pick up our gear and drive to our hotel in Moshi. It is a welcome treat to sleep in a comfortable bed, take a hot shower and celebrate the climb with a meal and some drinks. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

• Breakfast & lunch (Dinner not included)
• Drinking water (Other drinks not included)

• Additional accommodation can be arranged for an extra cost.
• You'll be dropped off at the airport.