5 Days Kilimanjaro Climb Maarangu Route

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

MARANGU GATE TO MANDARA HUT

After breakfast, we drive one hour to Marangu Gate (1,879m). Registration and permit processing. Enjoy a hot lunch before starting the hike. The trek takes 3 to 4 hours through the beautiful rainforest, home to blue monkeys, colobus monkeys, and various bird species. Arrive at Mandara Hut (2,720m), where you will have a snack and hot drink. After a short rest, take an optional short hike to Maundi Crater for breathtaking views. Health check, dinner, and overnight stay at Mandara Hut.




Elevation:) 1,879m - 2,720m

Distance: 8km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Vegetation Zone: Rainforest

Difficulty: Easy

Day 2

MANDARA HUT TO HOROMBO HUT

After breakfast, start your hike through Moorland terrain, leaving the rainforest behind. The trek takes 5 to 6 hours, with stunning views of Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Peak. Arrive at Horombo Hut (3,720m) in the afternoon, have hot lunch, and rest. Optional acclimatization hike to Zebra Rocks. Dinner and overnight stay at Horombo Hut.




Elevation:) 2,720m - 3,700m

Distance:11km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Vegetation Zone: Moorland

Difficulty: Moderate to steep

Day 3

HOROMBO HUT TO KIBO HUT

Early start after breakfast. The landscape turns into Alpine Desert, with strong winds and low oxygen levels. The trek takes 4 to 5 hours. Arrive at Kibo Hut (4,720m) for hot lunch and rest. Early dinner at 5:30 PM, then sleep before the summit attempt.




Elevation: 3,720m - 4,720m

Distance: 9km

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

Difficulty: Moderate

Day 4

KIBO HUT TO UHURU PEAK & BACK TO HOROMBO

Wake up at midnight for tea and snacks, then start the summit attempt at 12:30 AM. The trek to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) takes about 5-6 hours, with steep inclines and loose scree. From Gilman’s Point, hike another 1-2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – the highest point in Africa. Enjoy sunrise views, take photos, and descend back to Kibo Hut (3 hours). Short rest at Kibo Hut, followed by lunch and packing. Continue descending to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for dinner and overnight stay.




Altitude: 4,720m - 5,895m (Uhuru Peak)

Distance: 21km (6km to the summit, 15km descent)

Hiking Time: 13 hours (7 hours to summit, 3 hours to Kibo, 3 hours to Horombo)

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

Difficulty: Very Difficult (steep incline and altitude challenges)

Day 5

HOROMBO HUT TO MARANGU GATE

After breakfast, start the final descent through Moorland and Rainforest,Arrive at Marangu Gate around 2 PM receive your summit certificates and enjoy lunch at the gate. Drive back to Moshi, where you can rest, celebrate, and tip the crew.




Elevation:3,720m - 1,879m

Distance: 19km

Hiking Time: 6-7 hours

Vegetation Zone:Moorland & Rainforest

Difficulty: Long and tiring descent