7-Day Trek Mount Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route

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

Arrival in Arusha

After you arrive at Kilimanjaro/Arusha airport, a private driver guide will be there to pick you up and take you to your place of stay. Once you're settled, a skilled mountain guide will check your gear, ensure you have all the necessary climbing equipment, and provide a briefing for your trekking adventure starting the next day.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Ilboru Safari Lodge

• Mid-range lodge located in Arusha (City)

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

The Marangu Route begins at Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) on the Southeast side of Mount Kilimanjaro. You'll be driven there from Arusha, a journey of about two hours passing through the village of Marangu.

At the gate, you'll meet your trekking team and do the necessary registration with the National Park Authorities. Here, you'll see porters getting ready and weighing packs of gear they'll carry up the mountain. On the first day, you'll have a gentle trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest, taking 5-7 hours.

Your first night will be at the Mandara Frame Huts (2,700 meters). These huts have solar lighting, flush toilets, and water from a nearby stream. Each hut has 6-8 bunk beds. If you're a light sleeper, it's a good idea to bring earplugs.

Main Destination:

Marangu Gate (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

Mandara Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

After breakfast, you'll begin your trek around 8:00 am. You'll walk through a rainforest and then move quickly into a lower alpine moorland area.

If the weather is good, take the chance to climb up Maundi Crater for your first full view of Kibo. Along the way, you'll also see big lobelia plants scattered around. The trek takes about 6 to 8 hours, covering a distance of 11.5km (7 miles).

You'll reach Horombo Hut at 3,720 meters altitude, where you'll have dinner and be shown where you'll sleep for the night.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Horombo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Acclimatization at Horombo Hut

This is a crucial acclimatization day at Horombo. We will guide you on a hike towards Mawenzi, which entails a 3-hour ascent and approximately 1.5 hours descent back to Horombo Hut. We highly recommend this, as it will contribute to acclimatization and increase your chances of success in reaching the summit.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Horombo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

After having breakfast at Horombo Hut in the morning, you'll start climbing 1,000 meters to reach Kibo Hut, covering a distance of about 10 kilometers.

Make sure to fill up your water here because the next water point is only back at Horombo Hut. If needed, you can buy bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut.

At Kibo Hut, have an early dinner and try to go to bed before 7:00 pm. You'll be woken up around 11:30 pm to begin the 1,150-meter climb to Uhuru Peak. Get all your gear ready, including insulated water, snacks, a headlamp, and a camera, for a quick start.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Kibo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

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Meals & Drinks:

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

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak then Horombo Hut

The big day starts with climbing to the top. First, you'll wake up and have hot tea and biscuits. Then, you'll start going up.

The path is rocky, leading you to the first stop, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. After that, you'll zigzag for 2-3 hours until you reach Gilman’s Point at 5,681 meters on Kibo’s crater rim. By then, you'll probably feel very tired.

Take a break, eat a snack, and get ready for the last challenging part. It needs mental strength. Focus on going up slowly and carefully for the final 200 meters.

Main Destination:

Uhuru Peak (Mt Kilimanjaro)

Accommodation:

Horombo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

On the final day of the trek, you'll hike about 20 kilometers from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate. Even though it's a long hike, it usually takes only 7 hours. By this time, you'll be really tired, but you'll be looking forward to a nice hot shower later.

When you reach Marangu Gate, you'll receive a certificate for completing the trek. It's a tradition to give tips to your trekking team as a way of thanking them for their hard work. After that, you'll be driven back to your hotel or the next place you're headed, and that's when the celebrations can begin!

Main Destination:

Marangu Gate (Mt 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.