5-Day Marangu Climbing Route

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

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

On reaching the Marangu Gate (1,843m), you will meet your crew, complete park registration, and begin your 5-day ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will start the trek through a dense, mist-covered forest area where the blue monkey, black and white colobus, and bushbaby can be spotted. You will stop at Kisambioni for a picnic lunch before reaching Mandara Hut (2,700m), comprising a complex of wooden ‘A’ shaped huts containing two rooms with four bunk beds each. Please be aware that although bunk beds are provided you will still require your own sleeping bag.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Time: 6-8hrs / Distance: 12km / Altitude Gain: 1020m
You will start your trek around the base of Maundi Crater; a beautiful spot, the remnant of a volcanic vent, where lush grasses, known as Tussock can be seen along with glorious views. Heading northwest, you'll follow the trail through alpine meadows, crossing a stream to get to grassland and eventually entering moorland. You will stay overnight at Horombo Hut (3,720m), based in a rocky valley which on a clear day can have views of Moshi below you and where the end of your long day will be rewarded with what is usually described as a ‘magnificent sunset’.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Time: 6-8hrs / Distance: 10km / Altitude Gain: 983m
The route becomes gradually steeper and rockier as you leave Horombo Hut. You will pass ‘Last Water’ and head up the stark landscape up to ‘The Saddle’ —the broad lava-stone ridge —between Mawenzi and Kibo. Stunning views of the upper reaches of Kilimanjaro can be seen before you arrive at Kibo Hut (4,703m) where you will have a hot meal in the afternoon, a relaxing evening, and an early bedtime so you are well-rested to start hiking at midnight for your final ascent to the summit.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

Time: 6-8hrs (to summit), 4-5hrs (to Horombo) / Distance: 6km (to summit), 16km (to Horombo) / Altitude Gain: 1192m, Altitude Loss: 2175m
Setting off at midnight for the summit, this is the longest and most demanding day of the entire trek. The trail follows a long scree slope past the Hans Meyer Cave and then turns into a single-file zigzag. A short rocky path requiring some scrambling leads to Gillmans Point situated on the crater rim, 5,685m. This part of the hike is very steep and is the most challenging section of the route. Once you reach Gillmans Point, it is just another two hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Once there, all your hard work will feel more than worth it as you will be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise over ice fields and the Mawenzi peaks. You will spend a short time at Uhuru Peak before starting your descent to Kibo Hut for a break and a short time for you to rest. You will then head to Horombo Hut.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Time: 5-7hrs / Distance: 20km / Altitude Loss: 1877m
After breakfast, you will descend to Marangu Gate retracing your steps past Mandara Hut, back through the magnificent rainforest, and finally reach Marangu Gate. Once at the gate, you will receive your summit certificates, have short celebrations with your porters, and be driven back to your hotel where you can have a hot shower, rest, and maybe even enjoy a Kilimanjaro beer or two!

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

No accommodation (End of tour)

Meals & Drinks:

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

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