6-Day Kilimanjaro Expedition – the Marangu Route

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

From Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

This morning we drive through Kilimanjaro’s semi-tropical foothills to Marangu Gate, where you enter Kilimanjaro National Park and start your climb. Today’s trek takes 4-5 hours through tropical rainforest to reach Mandara Hut.

Hiking Time:4-5 hours
Total Distance:7 km
Starting Altitude: 1830m (6,000ft)
Final Altitude: 2740m (9,000ft)
Environment: Montane (rain) Forest.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Your second day on the mountain starts with a fairly steep climb through the last of the rain-forest up to alpine meadows dotted with giant heather. Further on, the environment changes to open heath with stunted vegetation before opening out to bleak moorland. Today you will gain approximately 1,000m in altitude, so walk slowly in order to acclimatize properly. It is normally a 6-7 hour hike to reach Horombo Hut.

Hiking Time:5-6 hours
Total Distance:11 km
Starting Altitude: 2700m (9,000ft)
Final Altitude:3700m (12,141ft)
Environment: Mooreland.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Acclimatation at Horombo

Today, you will take a short but rewarding acclimatization hike from Horombo Hut (3,720 m) up toward Mawenzi Base Camp (approximately 4,300 m) and then return later in the day. This hike provides an excellent opportunity to help your body adjust to the altitude while enjoying breathtaking views of Kilimanjaro’s rugged landscape. As you ascend, you’ll pass through the beautiful transition from moorland to alpine desert, surrounded by unique high-altitude vegetation such as giant groundsels and everlasting flowers. Near Mawenzi, Kilimanjaro’s dramatic secondary peak, you’ll pause to rest, take photos, and admire the scenery before descending to Horombo Hut for lunch and relaxation. This acclimatization walk not only enhances your physical readiness for the summit but also gives you valuable insight into the mountain’s diverse ecosystems and ever-changing weather conditions.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (15463 ft)

The terrain now becomes progressively more rocky and rugged and giant groundsels and lobelias make their appearance. The trail skirts Mawenzi Peak, before crossing a stark, almost lunar landscape and the tundra desert of ‘the saddle”. The hike to Kibo Hut takes anything from 5 to 7 hours and the views from the saddle is breathtaking. Make this an early night – your attempt on Uhuru Peak starts at midnight.

Hiking Time:6-7 hours
Total Distance:9 km
Starting Altitude: 3700m (12,141ft)
Final Altitude: 4695m (15,400ft)
Environment: Semi Desert.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Kibo Hut – Summit (19340 ft) – Horombo Hut (12201 ft)

Soon after midnight, you will be awakened by your guides to start the zigzag trek up a long scree slope. After roughly two hours you should reach Hans Meyer’s Cave and from here the gradient gets steeper. Continue your climb for approximately another 3 hours to Gilman’s Point and you will be rewarded by the dramatic sight of the rising sun reflecting off the ice fields and craggy peaks of Mawenzi. Walk along the crater rim for another couple of hours to reach your goal – Uhuru Peak, towering at 19,340 ft. After congratulating yourself and your companions on this great achievement, descend to Kibo Hut for rest and refreshment before continuing to Horombo Hut for your last night on the mountain.

Hiking Time:11-15 hours
Total Distance:18.5 km
Starting Altitude:4695m (15,000ft) – Uhuru Peak 5895m(19,340ft)
Descend Final Altitude:3700m (12140ft)
Environment: Alpine Desert.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Budget camping

Meals & Drinks:

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

Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate

After a leisurely breakfast, make your final descent across the alpine meadow, past Mandara Hut and on down through the rainforest to Marangu Gate, where your driver and vehicle will be waiting to transfer you back to your Hotel

Hiking Time:6-7 hours
Total Distance:18 km
Starting Altitude:3700m (12,140ft)
Final Altitude:1830 (6000ft)
Environment: Rain Forest.

Main Destination:

Moshi (Town)

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.