6 Days Marangu Route

Day 1: Marangu Gate – Mandara Huts

Distance: 8.3km / 5mi | Duration: 4-5 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

Elevation: 1905m/6250ft to 2723m/8934ft | Altitude Gained: 818m

Departing from Moshi a 45-minute drive will take you through the Village of Machame to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. We will patiently wait for our permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead. Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and windy trails while your guide tells you about the local flora and fauna and natural wildlife. At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

Day 2: Mandara Huts – Horombo Huts

Distance: 12.5km / 7.8mi | Duration: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Moorland

Elevation: 2723m/8934ft to 3721m/12,208ft | Altitude Gained: 998m

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rain forest and continue on an ascending path, through heathland, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels. Continue up into open moorlands where small shrubs are the main vegetation. Stop halfway for lunch, to enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi. Arrive at the Horombo Huts late afternoon beneath the spectacular Kibo Summit viewpoint. Temperatures begin to drop.

Day 3: Horombo Huts - Acclimatization Day

Activity: Rest and acclimatization | Optional: Mawenzi base camp hike

Elevation: Stay at 3721m/12,208ft

You can spend a full day and a second night at Horombo. On this day, you can either rest at the huts or take a stroll up to the Mawenzi base camp then return to the Horombo Huts. This extra day will help your acclimatization, and further your understanding of the mountains weather and altitude. After your pause, you will continue up to the Kibo Huts on your fourth day for your midnight start to the summit.

Day 4: Horombo Huts – Kibo Huts

Distance: 10.5km / 6mi | Duration: 6-8 hours | Habitat: Semi-Desert

Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 4714m/15,466ft | Altitude Gained: 993m

After breakfast, we continue on through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo. Here while we stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.

Day 5: Summit Day - Kibo Huts to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Huts

Distance: 6.25km / 3.9mi up, 15.75km / 9mi down | Duration: 5-7hrs up, 5-6hrs down

Elevation: 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft | Altitude Gained: 1181m

Descent to: 3721m/12,208ft | Altitude Lost: 2174m

Excitement is building as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. We continue our way to the summit in a switchback formation through trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead. With a switchback motion, we ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow towards Gillman's Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here. Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here on your remaining 1 hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.

Congratulations! One step at a time you have now reached Uhuru Peak the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa! After photos, celebrations and maybe a few tears of joy we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment. We begin our steep descent down to Horombo Huts for a well-deserved rest.

Day 6: Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate – Moshi

Distance: 20km / 12.5mi | Duration: 6-7 hours | Habitat: Rainforest

Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 1905m/6250ft | Altitude Lost: 1816m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it's time to say goodbye. We continue the descent down stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here. You return back to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates. As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy and steep and we highly recommend Gaiters and trekking poles. From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 45 minutes). Enjoy a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!!