This six-day Marangu route
This six-day Marangu route offers a unique and challenging adventure, combining spectacular landscapes, a variety of ecosystems, and the ultimate reward of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro!
Day 0: Arrive in Tanzania
- You will be picked up at Kilimanjaro International Airport and transferred to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha. Meet your guide for a short pre-trek briefing and gear check to ensure you have all the necessary mountain equipment. Missing gear can be rented locally
6 Days Marangu Route Itinerary
After breakfast, you will meet your guide and drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register, and start the climb. The hike begins through the rainforest with impressive vegetation, and you may spot primates as you head towards Mandara Hut. After resting, your guide can take you to Maundi Crater for a view of the Kenyan interior.
Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, you will leave Mandara Hut, transitioning from Kilimanjaro’s forest to the moorland, a rocky, desert-like landscape. You’ll stop for a picnic lunch at Kambiya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut.
Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinne
you will take an acclimatization hike, ascending and descending during the day. You will spend another night at Horombo Hut to help your body adjust to the altitude.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 0km/0mi
Hiking Time: 0 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast, the trail leads through moorland and then into the alpine desert as you approach the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo. A short walk will take you to Kibo Hut, where you will rest before your summit attempt.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
Distance: 9km/5.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The summit day starts early as you ascend the steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5681m), located on the crater rim. If fit, you'll continue for about two hours around the rim to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. After reaching the summit, you'll descend to Kibo Hut for a quick rest and continue back down to Horombo Hut.
Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Descent: 5895m/19,340ft to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 3-4 hours down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The final stage takes you down from Horombo Hut, passing through heath and moorland, followed by the tropical rainforest before reaching Marangu Gate. After saying goodbye to your guide and team, you'll be transferred back to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha.
Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
