8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

8 Days Round trip from Moshi Kilimanjaro Easy pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route to Uhuru Peak
02 Spend an extra acclimatization day at Horombo Hut via Zebra Rocks
03 Watch the sunrise over Mawenzi from Gillman's Point
04 Reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, the highest point in Africa
05 Stay in mountain huts along the route with full-board meals

Select the Marangu Route to ascend Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the world's highest free-standing mountain, on this Tanzanian trekking tour. This 8-day climb includes overnight stays at Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo huts, an acclimatization day at Horombo, and a summit push to Africa's highest point. The route begins and ends in Marangu, with airport transfers and pre- and post-climb hotel stays included. For trips that emphasize mountain climbing, remember that even the easiest trekking involves some exertion, so you should be reasonably fit and sure that you will enjoy the activity.

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 8 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arrival in Tanzania and Pre-Climb Briefing

Stay at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort, a beautiful hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro and a perfect place to prepare for your adventure.
Gather in the evening at 5:30 pm for a pre-climb briefing and equipment check. The Kilimanjaro trekking guide will also confirm that you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.

Dinner and overnight at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort: bed, dinner, and breakfast included.

Day 02

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut Through Rainforest

After breakfast, make the short journey from your hotel in Marangu to the National Park gate for the necessary formalities.
Start the climb through the fascinating tropical rainforest.
Reach the first hut at Mandara for dinner and overnight. Alternatively, simply rest and relax in the beautiful forest around the camp.

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (2,700 m): 5-6 hours walking.

Day 03

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut Across Moorland

Today, the first part of the walk is a steep ascent through the forest, but the path soon opens out into moorland and, in clear weather, there are great views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.
Arrive at Horombo Hut in mid-afternoon, where you can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery around the camp.

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut (3,720 m): 4-6 hours walking.

Day 04

Acclimatization Walk to Zebra Rocks

Today, walk towards Mawenzi Hut, passing the Zebra Rocks. This extra day and night at Horombo are for additional acclimatization. It is recommended to drink enough water and walk slowly. All meals for the day are provided at Horombo Hut.

Horombo Hut to further improve acclimatization.

Day 05

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut via the Saddle

Today, climb very gradually towards the lunar desert of the Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. These 6-7 hours of walking are taken at a slow pace until Kibo Hut (4,700 m), where you will spend the night in a comfortable hut. There is no running water at Kibo Hut.
The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut (4,700 m): 4-6 hours walking.

Day 06

Summit Attempt to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

Wake up before midnight under the cover of darkness.
Begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree. The route has some well-graded zig-zags, and a slow but steady pace will take you to the rim of the main crater at Gillman's Point (5,685 m).
Rest at Gillman's for a few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi.
Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the three-hour round trip from here along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa.
After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment, descend to Kibo Hut, which is amazingly fast, and stop for some refreshment.
Continue descending to reach Horombo Hut.

Kibo Hut to Summit to Horombo Hut (3,720 m): 13-15 hours walking.

Day 07

Descent to Marangu Gate and Return to Resort

Today, descend past Mandara Hut to Marangu National Park, where successful climbers will receive their summit certificates.
From here, you will be transferred to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort for dinner and overnight.

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate: 6-7 hours walking.

Day 08

Departure from Moshi

After saying goodbye to the team of Kilimanjaro hiking guides, take your included private departure transfer from Moshi to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) for your flight, unless you choose the option of a short safari or another activity to be discussed.

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Moshi Kilimanjaro 3 cities · 8 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Tanzania VAT on tourism activities and park fees
Return transfers from Kilimanjaro Airport to Moshi and from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport
Hotel lodging the night before and the night after the climb, with bed, dinner, and breakfast included (double occupancy)
Transfer from your hotel to the starting point for your climb, and return to your hotel after your climb
Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food
All Kilimanjaro National Park gate fees, camping fees, and climbing permits
Kilimanjaro National Park rescue fees (Kilimanjaro Rescue Team)
Emergency oxygen (for use in emergencies only - not as a summiting aid)
Basic first aid kit (for use in emergencies only)
Qualified Kilimanjaro mountain guide, assistant guides, porters, and cook
Salaries for the mountain crew as per guidelines set by Kilimanjaro National Park
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as hot drinks on the mountain
Camping equipment
Water for washing up daily
Porter to carry your duffel bag (maximum weight 15 kg / 32 lbs) from one camp to the next
Kilimanjaro National Park certificate for your successful summit attempt
Flying Doctor Service

What's Not Included

Flights and airport taxes
Items of a personal nature
Compulsory tips for guides, porters, and cook (average tip is anything from US$ 230 to US$ 300 per hiker - depending on the number of days, how many hikers are in the group, and the route chosen)
South African passport holders do not require a visa for Tanzania; however, most other nationalities require a visa for Tanzania.
Health requirements (Yellow Fever compulsory if travelling to Tanzania recommended)
Highly recommended travel and medical insurance
Personal hiking/trekking gear - some gear can be rented from the equipment store in Tanzania
Optional but highly recommended portable toilet
Snacks, personal medicine, and water-purifying tablets
Meals and drinks not specified, and snacks

What to bring

Being properly equipped is one of the biggest factors in a successful, comfortable Kilimanjaro climb. Use this checklist as your guide.
One important limit: porters carry your main duffel bag, and it needs to stay at or under 15 kg (32 lbs). Anything you don't need on the mountain - a clean change of clothes for afterward, for instance - can be left at your hotel in Arusha or Moshi and picked up when you're back down.
Footwear
Sturdy hiking boots with good ankle support and a solid grip sole, ideally waterproof. Break them in for several weeks before you travel - summit week is the wrong time to discover a boot doesn't fit well. Bring a spare pair of laces, and a lightweight pair of camp shoes (sandals or similar) to change into at the end of each day's trekking.
Outer Layers
- A waterproof, windproof jacket - your main outer shell, ideally with a hood.
- Waterproof, windproof trousers - worn on summit night and any wet afternoons.
- A warm down jacket - genuinely important for summit night and cold evenings at the higher camps.
- Waterproof gaiters - keep loose scree and moisture out of your boots.
Base and Mid Layers
Pack moisture-wicking thermal base layers (top and bottom) for cold mornings and evenings, plus a couple of lightweight trekking shirts for daytime hiking in warmer stretches. A fleece top worn over your base layer and under your outer jacket adds a genuinely useful mid layer for cold starts.
For your legs, convertible or lightweight trekking trousers work well for most of the climb, plus a warmer pair for chilly evenings around camp.
Hands, Head, and Feet
- Warm gloves or mittens, ideally waterproof, for summit night specifically.
- A lightweight pair of gloves for general use lower down the mountain.
- A warm hat and, for summit night, a balaclava or neck gaiter for extra warmth.
- A sun hat for the lower, warmer days.
- Several pairs of good hiking socks - a mix of lighter socks for warmer days and thicker wool-blend socks for cold mornings and camp evenings.
Sun Protection
The sun is intense at altitude even when it's cold - sunglasses with strong UV protection, high-SPF sunscreen, and lip balm with SPF are all genuinely necessary, not optional extras.
Camp and Practical Gear
- A headlamp, with spare batteries - camp gets dark early and summit night starts well before dawn.
- A daypack (around 30 liters) for anything you want on hand during the day's trek.
- A refillable water bottle or hydration bladder - 2-3 liters of carrying capacity is a sensible target.
- Trekking poles - genuinely helpful on steep descents and easier on the knees.
- A camp towel that packs down small and dries quickly.
- A dry bag or liner to keep valuables and electronics protected if it rains.
Nice-to-Haves
- A paperback book or journal for evenings at camp, hand sanitizer, a personal first-aid kit for minor issues (blister care, pain relief, any regular medication you take), and a portable phone charger, since charging options are limited once you're on the mountain.

Know before you go

Mount Kilimanjaro-Marangu Route 8 Days Itinerary
Marangu Route 8 Day begins and ends at Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu. Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), and there will be a private transfer waiting at the airport to take you to Kilimanjaro Mountain Resort in Marangu. All airport transfers are part of the package, and no extra fee is required.
The above prices should be used as a guide only. Real pricing will be based on group sizes.
The trips are for active, flexible-minded people who enjoy the unusual and the adventurous.
For trips that have an emphasis on mountain climbing and wildlife safari, you need to remember that even the easiest trekking or walking safari involves some exertion, so you should be reasonably fit and sure that you will enjoy the activity.

Logistics