Kenya, Tanzania · Trekking

5-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Trek via Marangu Route to Uhuru Peak

5 Days Round trip from Arusha Challenging pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Spot local flora and fauna along the Kilimanjaro trek
02 Walk through lush rainforest and open moorlands on the Marangu Route
03 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa
04 Enjoy beautiful summit views and click lots of amazing photographs

Go on a 5-day hiking tour in Mount Kilimanjaro National Park from Arusha, Tanzania. Trek through lush rainforest and open moorlands, spot unique local flora and fauna, and spend the nights in mountain huts along the route. Take in beautiful scenery along the way and reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, with time to enjoy the views and click lots of amazing photographs at the summit.

Arrive at the summit, enjoy the beautiful view, and click lots of amazing photographs.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 5 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Challenging

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Arusha to Mandara Hut via Kilimanjaro National Park Gate

Have breakfast and attend a briefing at your hotel in Arusha, then drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, register, and commence the climb.
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.
Arrive at Mandara Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 6100ft to 8875ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Accommodation: Mandara Hut

Meals Plan: Lunch & Dinner

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut Across the Moorlands

Follow an ascending path across the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment.
Enjoy the view of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo.
Look for giant lobelias and groundsels.
Arrive at Horombo Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 8875ft to 12,200ft

Distance: 12 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 03

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut via the Saddle

Start the ascent and pass 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 "moonscape".
Arrive at Kibo Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 12,200ft to 12,200ft

Distance: 9 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 04

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and Down to Horombo Hut

Wake up early in the morning and commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim.
Continue ascending to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa.
Arrive at the summit, enjoy the beautiful view, and click lots of amazing photographs.
Begin the descent after a halt for lunch.
Rest at Kibo Hut before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
Arrive at Horombo Hut for dinner and an overnight stay.

Elevation: 15,500ft to 19,340ft, down to 12,200ft

Distance: 6-4 km up, 15-9 km down

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours

Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 05

Horombo Hut to Moshi via Marangu Gate

Have breakfast, then continue your descent through the moorland to Mandara Huts.
Have lunch, then proceed with your triumphant recessional down through the lush forest to Marangu Park Gate.
Arrive at the gate, hop into a vehicle, and travel to a hotel in Moshi.

Elevation: 12,200ft to 5500ft

Distance: 20 km up

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Accommodation: Hotel

Meals Plan: Breakfast, Lunch