6 Day Kilimanjaro Trek Marangu Route

Day 1 Marangu Gate (1980m) - Mandara hut (2700m)

Hiking time: 5h
Distance: Approximately 12kms
Habitat: Montane forest
After breakfast, your guide will brief you and check your equipments. The drive from Moshi/Arusha to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, takes about 50 minutes. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office. You now leave the Park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro's animals are found. An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate.

Day 2 Mandara hut (2700m) - Horombo hut (3720m)

Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Moorland
From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. It is well worth a short detour to scramble up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her majestic glaciers in the morning sun.

Day 3 Horombo hut (3720m) - Acclimatisation day
Horombo hut is a village of huts perched on a small plateau, with buildings similar to Mandara, but with a total capacity of 120 climbers! Horombo is normally bustling with hikers, guides and porters, with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. This extra day and night at Horombo are for additional acclimatization.

Day 4 Horombo hut (3720m) - Kibo hut (4700m)

Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 15kms
Habitat: Alpine desert
After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From Horombo there are two trails to the "Saddle" (which refers to the area located between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo). There is an upper route and lower route to choose from. The upper route will be very familiar, as you will have climbed most of it the previous day towards Mawenzi hut. It is very stony and eroded. The recommended lower route is much easier and nearly an hour shorter, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m.

Day 5 (Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo hut (3720m)
Hiking time: 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo
Distance: Approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent
Habitat: Stone scree and ice-capped summit
You will rise around 23h30, and after some tea and biscuits you shuffle off into the night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5150m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman's point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section of the entire route. Move slowly.

Day 6 Horombo hut (3720m) - Marangu Gate (1980m)
Hiking time: 6h
Distance: Approximately 27kms: After breakfast you continue your descent (6 hours), passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Remember to sign at the gate. Again, the journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. You now drive back to Moshi/Arusha for a long overdue hot shower, dinner and celebrations!

• Transport to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport to your accommodations in Moshi.
• 2 nights of accommodation in Moshi in full board
• Transportation to & from the Kilimanjaro gate
• Park entry fees,
• Camping fees
• Crater fee (if any)
• Team Kilimanjaro Rescue fees
• 18% VAT on tour fees & services
• 4 Season mountain tents
• Double layered Sleeping Mats 4 inches (10cm) thick
• Friendly and professional mountain guides, cook and porters
• 3 meals daily while on the mountain
• Enough treated & filtered drinking water throughout the trek
• Hot water for washing
• Government taxes
• Portable oxygen tanks
• Ox meter
• Emergency first-aid kit
• Stethoscope
• Portable flush toilet with a toilet and tent

• Drinks at your hotel before and after climb.
• Travel insurance
• Flights
• Laundry (Available at hotel)
• Personal items and toiletries
• Tips for guides, porters and cook