5 Days Kilimanjaro Mountain Trekking Via Marangu Route

Offers

Option 1

$1,550

$1,500
per person

Mount Kilimanjaro

4 nights • Kilimanjaro Hut (Camp) with All Meals included

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Moshi Town - Marangu Gate - Maranda Hut

After breakfast and a briefing, you'll drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register, and start the climb. You will walk through the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and colobus monkeys in the rainforest.

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft
Distance: 8km/5mi
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Habitat: Montane Forest
Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2 Trekking from Mandara Hut to Horombo hut

You will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. You will see amazing views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 12km/7.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Heathland
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 Trekking from Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

You will ascend, passing the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into a “moonscape.” You will have dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft
Distance: 9km/5.5mi
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4 Trekking from Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2:00 am), you will commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point, located on the crater rim. You will continue, ascending to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. You can have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here, you will descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft
Descent to: 3700m/12,200ft
Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 3-4 hours down
Habitat: Alpine Desert
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5 Horombo Hut to Moshi Town

After breakfast, a steady descent will take you down through the moorland to the Mandara Hut. You will continue descending through a lush forest path to the national park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be sufficient to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
A vehicle will be waiting for you at Marangu Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft
Distance: 20km/12.5mi
Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
Habitat: Forest
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch