5-Day Mt Kilimanjaro Climb-Marangu Route

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

Arusha-Marangu Gate-Mandara Hut

Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft)
Elevation Gain: 915m (3,000 ft)

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with an early morning drive from Arusha to Marangu Gate, where you’ll meet your guides, cooks, and porters and complete registration. The trek starts on a scenic trail through lush rainforest, filled with unique flora and fauna. You’ll pause at Kisambioni for a picnic lunch at the halfway point before continuing to Mandara Hut. Here, you can relax or take an optional hike to Maundi Crater, where clear-day views over Taveta and toward Mawenzi Peak offer a beautiful preview of Kilimanjaro’s grandeur.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mandara Hut-Horombo Hut

Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft) to Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 977m (3,200 ft)

After breakfast, you’ll depart from Mandara Hut, leaving behind the rainforest as you enter Kilimanjaro's unique moorland—a rocky, high-altitude landscape dotted with desert-like plants. You’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing toward Horombo Hut. On clear days, this stretch offers stunning views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.

You’ll arrive at Horombo Hut around 3 pm, where you can relax for the afternoon. Known as Kilimanjaro’s most popular and well-equipped huts, Horombo's A-frame buildings accommodate up to eight people each and welcome both ascending and descending hikers, along with their porters, cooks, and guides. The camp can host up to 100 hikers, creating a lively, communal atmosphere.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut-Kibo Hut

Horombo Hut (3,720m/12,200ft) to Kibo Hut (4,750m/15,580ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,030m (3,380 ft)

After breakfast, you’ll set off from Horombo Hut, trekking through Kilimanjaro’s moorland and into the alpine desert of the upper altitudes. About an hour in, you’ll reach Maua River, a small mountain stream, before continuing through increasingly barren terrain as the vegetation thins.

You’ll stop for lunch at Middle Red Hill, then proceed on a steady incline for another two hours across Kilimanjaro’s Saddle—a vast, windswept plateau between Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Though the environment here is a stark, high-altitude desert, you’ll be treated to stunning views of both towering peaks. You’ll arrive at Kibo Hut around 3 pm, where you’ll rest and prepare for the final midnight 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 Summit-Descent to Horombo Hut

Kibo Hut (4,700m/15,500ft) to Uhuru Peak (5,895m/19,340ft) to Horombo Hut (3,700m/12,200ft)
Elevation Gain: 1,195m (3,840 ft) | Descent: 2,195m (7,140 ft)
Distance: 6km (4mi) up, 15km (9mi) down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up, 5-6 hours down
Habitat: Alpine Desert

In the early hours (midnight to 2 am), you’ll embark on the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, navigating steep scree or snow toward Gilman’s Point on the crater rim. Equipped with headlamps, you’ll face the cold and must rely on your warm layers while moving steadily at a “pole pole” pace.

After reaching Gilman’s Point, you’ll continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, where breathtaking views await. Capture unforgettable summit photos before beginning your descent. You’ll return to Kibo Hut for lunch and a brief rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut for the night. This challenging summit day offers remarkable experiences at the Roof of Africa.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Descend to Trail Head-Arusha

After breakfast, you’ll begin your steady descent from Kibo Hut, making your way through the moorland back to Mandara Hut. The trail then continues through a lush forest, leading you to the National Park gate at Marangu. As you descend to lower elevations, expect the terrain to become wetter and muddier, so gaiters and trekking poles will be useful for stability and protection.

Light clothing such as shorts and T-shirts should suffice, but be sure to keep your rain gear and warmer layers handy for changing weather conditions.

Once you reach the Marangu gate, a vehicle will be ready to transport you back to Arusha, where you can spend the night or head directly to the airport for your onward journey.

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.