5-Day Marangu Route - Climb Kilimanjaro

5 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Itinerary

Day 0:Arrival Day 

If you choose the optional airport transfer, we'll pick you up from Kilimanjaro Airport or Arusha Airport and take you to your hotel in Moshi.

There's a briefing at your Moshi hotel. It's a good idea to arrive at least one day before the trek begins. Today, we'll have a pre-trek briefing, go over your equipment, and provide any needed gear.

Day 1: From Hotel to Mandara Hut

After breakfast and the briefing, we'll drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register, and start the climb. We'll walk through the rainforest to the Mandara camp. You can take a side trip to Maundi Crater for great views of Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for tall Eucalyptus trees, birds, and Colobus monkeys.

• Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

• Distance: 8km/5mi

• Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

• Habitat: Montane Forest

• Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Leave the rainforest and climb on open moorlands to the Horombo camp. Enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi and Kibo. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You might start feeling 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: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Climbing past the last watering point, we reach the saddle of Kilimanjaro between Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation turns to upper heathland and then disappears into a moonscape. 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: Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut

Start the climb to the summit very early in the morning. Reach Gilman's point on the crater rim, then ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Descend, stop for lunch at Kibo, and continue to the Horombo camp.

• Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft (up), down to 3700m/12,200ft

• Distance: 6km/4mi up, 15km/9mi down

• Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up, 6-8 hours down

• Habitat: Alpine Desert

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Arusha / Moshi

After breakfast, descend through moorland to the Mandara Hut, then through lush forest to the Marangu gate. Lower down, it might be wet and muddy. A vehicle will be waiting at the gate to drive you back to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi 

• Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

• Distance: 20km/12.5mi

• Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

• Habitat: Forest

• Meals: Breakfast

What Includes and Excludes

Inclusions

• All transfers to the mountain and back to your Moshi hotel

• Professional, experienced, mountain guides

• Guides, Porters, Cook salaries, and park fees

• Sleeping Mattress

• Emergency Oxygen Cylinder

• All meals while on the Mountain

• Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food

• Clean, purified drinking water

• Conservation fees (part of park fees)

• Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)

• Rescue fees (part of park fees)

• VAT (18% charged by the Government)

• Kilimanjaro summit certificate

Exclusions

• Tanzania Visa

• International and domestic flights

• Hotel (available as an optional addon)

• Transfers (available as an optional addon)

• Personal trekking equipment such as sleeping bags, hiking boots, clothes, etc (available for renting)

• Tips and gratuities

• Travel Insurance

• Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

• Meals not listed in the itinerary

• Liquors, beers, and bottled beverages

• Surcharge for online payment of advance and balance (5% on each payment)