6-Day Best Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Climbing

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

Marangu Gate 1860m to Mandara Hut 2720m

Hiking Time: 3-5 hours
Distance: ~8 km / 5 miles
Altitude Gain: +860 meters / +2,822 feet
Habitat: Montane Forest

After breakfast and a final gear check, you'll drive to the Marangu Gate for registration. Your trek begins with a steady climb through a lush, beautiful rainforest. You might see black and white colobus monkeys and hear the calls of tropical birds. You'll arrive at Mandara Hut, a collection of comfortable A-frame huts, where you can settle in.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Mandara Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

+5 Photos

+4 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Mandara Hut 2720m to Horombo Hut 3720m

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: ~12 km / 7.5 miles
Altitude Gain: +1,000 meters / +3,280 feet
Habitat: Heathland and Moorland

You'll leave the forest and emerge into the open heathland. The landscape changes dramatically, with giant heathers and smaller vegetation. On a clear day, you'll get your first spectacular views of the summit dome of Kibo and the jagged peak of Mawenzi. Today is a longer, steady climb to Horombo Hut, which is large enough to accommodate many climbers.

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)

Acclimatization at Horombo Hut

Activity: This is the crucial acclimatization day added to the 6-day program to increase your chances of success.

Acclimatization Hike: You will take a day hike up towards Mawenzi Peak, climbing to around 4,500m (14,765 ft) at the Zebra Rocks. The principle is "climb high, sleep low" – you expose your body to a higher altitude but return to sleep at the lower altitude of Horombo Hut. This significantly helps your body adapt.

Rest: The afternoon is for resting, hydrating, and preparing for the summit push.

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 3720m to Kibo Hut 4730m

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: ~10 km / 6 miles
Altitude Gain: +1,010 meters / +3,315 feet
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today's trek crosses the vast, lunar-like "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The landscape is stark and beautiful, with very little vegetation. It's a steady, gradual climb that feels long due to the high altitude. You'll arrive at Kibo Hut, the final base camp, in the afternoon. The key here is to rest as much as possible. You will have an early dinner and then try to sleep for a few hours before your midnight wake-up call for the summit.

Main Destination:

Mount Kilimanjaro

Accommodation:

Kibo Hut

• Budget mountain hut located on Mt Kilimanjaro

+2 Photos

Meals & Drinks:

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

Kibo Hut 4730m to Uhuru Peak 5895m and down to Horombo Hut 3720m

Midnight Start: You will be woken up around 11:00 PM, have a light snack, and begin the final ascent in the dark. The goal is to reach the crater rim by sunrise.

The Climb: This is the most challenging part of the trek. You will zig-zag up a steep, scree-covered path to Gilman's Point (5,681m) on the crater rim. This section is mentally and physically demanding.

Sunrise & Uhuru Peak: From Gilman's Point, you will follow the crater rim for about 1-2 hours to reach Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa! You'll arrive around sunrise, with breathtaking views over the glaciers and the African plains below.

Descent: After celebrating and taking photos, you'll descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest and some lunch.

Final Descent: You then continue descending all the way back to the more comfortable altitude of Horombo Hut for your final night on the mountain. This long day is a true test of endurance.

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)

Orombo Hut 3720m to Marangu Gate 1860m to Hotel

Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Distance: ~20 km / 12.5 miles

A final, long descent through the heathland and back into the rainforest to Marangu Gate. At the gate, you'll sign out, receive your official summit certificates (Gold for Uhuru Peak, Green for Gilman's Point), and tip your crew. You'll then be driven back to your hotel in Moshi/Arusha for a well-deserved shower and celebration!

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.