5-Day Marangu Route Trek on Mount Kilimanjaro with Hut Stays

After breakfast, you will be collected from your lodge in Moshi and taken to Marangu Gate. Once the necessary paperwork has been completed, your trek begins, and you will soon be hiking through the dense rainforest. Alongside the impressive vegetation, you may also catch a glimpse of some primates as you make your way to Mandara Hut.

After a well-earned rest, your guide can take you to Maundi Crater, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Kenyan interior.

Distance: 12 km/8 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
Elevation: 9,300 ft to 11,811 ft
Habitat: Heath

The day begins with an early breakfast. Shortly after leaving Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. Approximately 4-6 hours later, Horombo Hut will come into sight, standing at an altitude of 3700 m.

From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo, and the wide plain of the Masai steppe.

Distance: 5 km/3 miles
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours
Elevation: 11,811 ft to 14,160 ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today's stage is long and tough. The well-built trail passes the "Last Water Point," followed by the so-called "saddle." This nearly vegetation-less plateau joins the main summit, Kibo, with Mawenzi.

Today's destination is Kibo Hut, which is usually reached in about 5-6 hours. Here, you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night, as the night will be short.

Distance: 8 km/5 miles
Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
Elevation: 14,160 ft to 15,430 ft
Habitat: Alpine Desert

Today is "The Big Day" - the summit stage. You will begin your final ascent around midnight, and it will be long and strenuous. Passing Hans Meyer Cave at 5220 m, the climb slowly but surely continues upward.

At sunrise, you will reach Gillman's Point (5681 m) - the crater rim of Kilimanjaro - where the sun will slowly begin to warm the land. You will soon have forgotten the cold of the night, and after a further hike of 1-2 hours, you will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895 m.

On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you, followed by a 1-2-hour break before proceeding back down to Horombo Hut.

Distance: 6 km/4 miles and 16 km/10 miles
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours and 4-5 hours
Elevation: 15,430 ft to 19,341 ft to 12,250 ft
Habitat: Arctic and Heath

The last stage passes through the heath and moor zone to Mandara Hut (2700 m), where a warm lunch is waiting for you. Soon, you will once again pass through the tropical rainforest, and after a total trekking time of about 6 hours, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860 m).

After saying goodbye to your mountain guides, a short transfer follows to take you back to your hotel in Moshi. Once there, you can enjoy a warm and relaxing shower and celebrate your success in reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Distance: 20 km/12 miles
Hiking Time: 5-7 hours
Elevation: 12,205 ft to 6,046 ft
Habitat: Rain Forest