3-Day Climbing Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

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

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park – Hike to Mandara Hut

After breakfast and a pre-trek briefing, you'll drive approximately one hour from Moshi to the Marangu Gate (1,860 m), the starting point of your Kilimanjaro adventure. Upon registration with the park authorities, the climb begins through a lush montane rainforest.

The trail to Mandara Hut (2,700 m) is a gentle ascent surrounded by towering eucalyptus trees, vibrant birdlife, and the occasional black-and-white Colobus monkey. Once you arrive at Mandara Hut, there is an option for a short hike to the Maundi Crater, offering stunning views across Northern Tanzania and into Kenya, weather permitting.

Elevation: 1,860m / 6,100ft to 2,700m / 8,875ft
Distance: 8 km / 5 miles
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mandara Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Hike from Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

After an early breakfast, you'll continue your ascent from Mandara Hut (2,700 m) to Horombo Hut (3,720 m). This section of the trek takes you out of the lush rainforest and into the heathland zone, where the terrain becomes drier and more open. Along the way, you’ll be treated to magnificent views of both Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Peak, two of Kilimanjaro’s volcanic summits.

As you climb higher, the air becomes thinner, so it's important to pace yourself and focus on acclimatization. The path is mostly a steady, gentle ascent, although some sections are a bit steeper. Along the way, you’ll encounter giant lobelias and groundsels, which are iconic plants found at high altitudes on Kilimanjaro.

Once you reach Horombo Hut, enjoy a well-deserved rest. This is an excellent spot for acclimatization, as the altitude is higher than Mandara, but still lower than Kibo. Spend the night at Horombo and enjoy the stunning views, which include panoramas of the surrounding landscape and distant peaks.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Horombo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate and Drive to Moshi

After a hearty breakfast at Horombo Camp, we begin our descent, retracing our steps with a peaceful moorland walk that leads us back to Mandara then Marangu Gate. The path meanders through the lush forest, offering a tranquil environment and the opportunity to reflect on the incredible journey we've just experienced. The dense vegetation and cool shade provide a nice contrast to the higher altitudes we’ve passed through. As we continue down the trail, we will eventually reach the National Park Gates, marking the end of our trek.

The entire descent takes about 5-6 hours, allowing ample time to enjoy the changing landscapes and appreciate the rich biodiversity of the lower regions of the mountain. Upon arrival at the National Park Gates, we can take a moment to celebrate the completion of the trek before transferring back to your hotel in moshi.

This final day provides a relaxed and reflective walk, with opportunities to reminisce about the unforgettable experiences of the climb.

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.