MARANGU ROUTE

5 or 6 days

The 5-day route is for experienced hikers who do not require additional acclimatization in order to reach the summit. For the 5-day route, we’ll follow the itinerary below, except we will skip the acclimatization hikes on Day 3. Instead, we will proceed from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut on Day 3.

Driving distance from Moshi to Marangu Gate: 39 km.
Driving Time: 1 hour

Day 1
Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut

Distance: 12 km. / 7.5 mi.

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Elevation: 2,835 m. / 9,300 ft. to 3,600 m. / 11,811 ft.

Habitat: Heath Moorland

After breakfast, we collect you from your hotel in Moshi and drive to the Marangu gate. After obtaining our permits, the trek begins. We hike through dense rainforests, where we may see primates, such as black and white colobus monkeys and blue monkeys. After a brief stop at the Mandara Hut campsite to unload our gear and rest, we visit the Maundi Crater and enjoy a wonderful view of a Kenyan village. We return to the Mandara Hut to have dinner and sleep.

Day 2
Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut

Distance: 5 km. / 3.1 mi.

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Elevation: 3,600 m. / 11,811 ft to 4,315 m. / 14,160 ft.

Habitat: Heath Moorland to Alpine Desert

The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after leaving Mandara Hut, you reach the timberline and enter the heath moorland. When you reach Horombo Hut, you have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo, and the wide, grassy plain of the Maasai steppe.

Day 3
Horombo Hut – Zebra Rock – Horombo Hut

Distance: 2 km. / 1.25 mi.

Hiking Time: 1-2 hours

Elevation: 3,720 m. / 14,160 ft. (Horombo Hut) to 4,100m. / 13,450 ft. (Zebra Rock) to 3,720 m. / 14,160 ft. (Horombo Hut)

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today serves as an acclimatization day, which greatly improves your chance of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxing breakfast, we hike to Zebra Rocks, named for the rock formation’s black and white stripes. We then return to Horombo Hut, where a warm lunch awaits us. You can relax in the afternoon and regain your strength for the hike the following day.

Day 4
Horombo Hut – Kibo Camp

Distance: 8 km. / 5 mi.

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Elevation: 4,315 m. / 14,160 ft. to 4,700 m. / 15,430 ft.

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today’s trek to the Kibo Hut is long and challenging. The well-built trail passes the last source of water and a barren plateau with wide open views. At Kibo Hut, you enjoy an early evening meal and an early to bed. Tomorrow’s ascent starts around midnight.

Day 5
Kibo Camp – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Camp

Distance: 6 km. / 3.7 mi. to Uhuru and 16 km. / 9.3 mi. back down to Horumbo

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 4-5 hours

Elevation: 4,700 m. / 15,430 ft. to 5,895 m. / 19,341 ft. to 3,735 m. / 12,250 ft.

Habitat: Arctic and Heath Moorland

We greet you at midnight with hot tea and biscuits. Today is the big day: a long, strenuous, exhilarating hike to the summit. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5,220 m., the climb slowly but surely winds upwards. At sunrise, we reach Gillman’s Point (5,681 m.) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. After another 1 to 2 hours of hiking, we reach Uhuru Peak at 5895 m. We have just a few minutes to take photos and stand in awe of our surroundings. Then we return to Kibo Hut, where a warm meal awaits. After a 1- to 2-hour break, we head back down to Horombo Hut.