7-Day Hike 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

Upon your arrival at the airport (Kilimanjaro/Arusha), your private driver guide will meet you and transport you to your accommodation. Once there, your professional mountain guide will review your gear to ensure you have all the necessary climbing equipment and provide a briefing in preparation for your trekking adventure, which will commence the next day.

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

Accommodation:

Arusha Planet 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 (1870 meters) to Mandara Hut (2700 meters)

The Marangu Route begins at Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) on the southeastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro. From Arusha, you will be driven to the gate, a journey of about two hours through the village of Marangu.

At the gate, you'll meet your trekking team, register with the National Park Authorities, and observe porters assembling and weighing the gear they'll carry up the mountain. The first day involves a gradual hike through the Kilimanjaro rainforest, which takes about 5-7 hours.

Your first night will be spent at the Mandara Frame Huts (2,700 meters). These huts feature solar-powered lighting, flush toilets, and water from a nearby mountain stream. Each hut accommodates 6-8 people in bunk beds. If you're a light sleeper, we recommend bringing 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 (2700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3720 meters)

After an early breakfast, your trek will begin at around 8:00 am.

You will continue hiking through the rainforest, circling the base of the Maundi Crater before quickly transitioning into the low alpine moorland zone.

If the weather is clear, it’s worth climbing the Maundi Crater for your first panoramic view of Kibo. Along the way, you’ll also encounter giant lobelias dotting the landscape at this elevation. The trek, covering 11.5 km (7 miles), takes approximately 6 to 8 hours to complete.

Upon reaching Horombo Hut at 3,720 meters, you will have dinner and settle into your sleeping quarters 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 day is crucial for acclimatization at Horombo. We'll take you on a hike towards Mawenzi, which takes about 3 hours to ascend and approximately 1.5 hours to return to Horombo Hut. We strongly recommend this hike as it significantly aids in acclimatization and increases your chances of successfully 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 (3720 meters) to Kibo Hut (4700 meters)

After breakfast at Horombo Hut, you'll start your 1,000-meter ascent to Kibo Hut, covering roughly 10 km.

Be sure to fill your water reserves here, as there are no further water sources until you return to Horombo Hut from the summit. You can also purchase bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut.

At Kibo Hut, you'll have an early dinner and should aim to be in bed by 7:00 pm. You'll be woken around 11:30 pm to begin your 1,150-meter climb to Uhuru Peak. Ensure your gear is ready for a quick departure, including insulated water, snacks, a headlamp, and a camera.

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 (4700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5895 meters) and Then Horombo Hut (3720 meters)

The day starts with summit night. After being awakened, you'll be served hot tea and biscuits before beginning your ascent to the summit.

The route follows a rocky path leading to the first checkpoint, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. From there, you'll continue zigzagging for approximately 2-3 hours until reaching Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) on the rim of Kibo’s crater. By this point, you’ll likely be quite exhausted.

Take a moment to rest and have a snack. The final push is challenging and demands mental fortitude. Focus on moving slowly and steadily for the remaining 200 meters to the summit.

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 (3720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1870 meters)

On the final day, you’ll trek from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate, a distance of about 20 km, which typically takes around 7 hours to complete. By this point, you’ll likely be quite tired and will spend much of the hike looking forward to the hot shower awaiting you that evening.

Upon reaching Marangu Gate, you’ll receive your certificate.

It’s customary to give your trekking team their well-deserved tips at this time. Afterward, you’ll be driven back to your hotel or onward to your next destination, where you can start your celebrations!

Main Destination:

Arusha (City)

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.