8-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet your tour representative for your transfer to the hotel on a bed-and-breakfast basis. There, you will receive a briefing, complete a gear check, and arrange the hire of any equipment you may need.

• Your driver will pick you up from the hotel and take you to Marangu Gate, where registration takes place. While the guides and porters prepare the equipment, you will begin climbing through the attractive tropical rainforest to Mandara Hut.
• Here, you will be surrounded by eucalyptus trees, different species of birds, Impatiens kilimanjari, Colobus monkeys, Blue monkeys, and many other interesting sights.
• Throughout the entire Marangu Route, you will spend your nights in special huts.
• After coffee or tea at Mandara Hut, you will have the chance to take a short trip to Maundi Crater, which offers spectacular views of Northern Tanzania and Kenya.

Elevation: 1830m / 6039ft to 2720m / 8976ft

Distance: 8 km

Hiking Time: 3 hours

Vegetation Zone: Rainforest

• This is a long day. After breakfast, you will begin with an hour's hike through rainforest glades before ascending through heathland and into the open moorlands, where the vegetation becomes sparse with small shrubs.
• You will stop halfway for lunch and a short rest, and you will be able to spot the two volcanoes at once: Kibo and Mawenzi, before reaching the camp for dinner and your overnight stay.

Elevation: 2720m / 8976ft to 3720m / 12276ft

Distance: 11 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Vegetation Zone: Moorland

• This is your extra day at Horombo Hut. If you wake early, you can capture some beautiful sunrise photos before breakfast.
• Today, you will walk towards Mawenzi Hut, passing Zebra Rocks for acclimatization. We recommend drinking enough water and walking slowly before hiking back down to Horombo Hut for lunch, dinner, and your overnight stay.

• After breakfast, you will start hiking to Kibo Hut. You will pass the last watering point and continue across the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
• When you reach the camp, lunch will be served. Pay attention to your body and keep your guide informed of any signs of altitude sickness.
• At Kibo Hut, you will be served an early dinner before going to bed.

Elevation: 3720m / 12276ft to 4720m / 15576ft

Distance: 9 km

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert

• This is your special day when your dream comes true. Your guide will wake you around 23:00 for tea and biscuits.
• The summit climb begins at midnight as you follow a switchback path up a volcanic scree slope, passing William Point (5000m / 15000ft) and Hans Meyer Cave (5200m / 17000ft), a good resting spot for drinking.
• After a short break, you will proceed to Gillman's Point (5681m), located on the crater rim. This section is very steep, with a lot of stone scree, and requires great physical and mental effort.
• From Gillman's Point, you can see the sunrise above the cloud line illuminating the plains below - an incredible sight to behold. A bit farther around the crater, you will reach your goal, Uhuru Peak (5895m / 19453ft), the roof of Africa.
• Here, you will have a short time for taking photographs around the summit and drinking water. Those who are still feeling strong will get a chance to pass nearby glaciers.
• The descent to Kibo Hut is surprisingly fast, and after lunch, refreshments, and collecting your trekking poles, you will continue descending to Horombo Campsite. Most people will be too tired to notice the beauty of the area surrounding the camp, and in the evening you will enjoy your last dinner on the mountain.

Elevation: 4720m / 15576ft to 5895m / 19453ft to 3720m / 12276ft

Distance: 21 km

Hiking Time: 13-15 hours

Vegetation Zone: Alpine Desert / Arctic zone / Moorland

• This is another big day. After an early breakfast, you will begin descending and pass through Mandara Hut before reaching Marangu Gate.
• You will cross through moorland into rainforest, where you will be able to spot many birds, tall trees, flowers, and many other interesting things.
• The route ends at Marangu Gate, where all hikers are required to sign out and receive certificates of completion.
• Your driver will take you back to the hotel. On the way, you will pass coffee and banana farms around the villages of Marangu.

Elevation: 3720m / 12276ft to 2720m / 8976ft

Distance: 19 km

Hiking Time: 7-8 hours

Vegetation Zone: Moorland / Rainforest

• Rest at the hotel before your transfer to the airport.

Trip ends.