Tanzania · Trekking

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

6 Days Round trip from Moshi Hard pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Summit Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa on Mount Kilimanjaro
02 Trek the scenic Marangu Route through rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert
03 Enjoy panoramic views of Kibo and Mawenzi along the climb
04 Use an extra acclimatization day with a hike toward Mawenzi Hut
05 Stay in mountain huts along the route to the peak

Embark on an adventurous 6-day trek along the scenic Marangu Route on Mount Kilimanjaro, with panoramic views of Kibo and Mawenzi along the way. Hike through tropical rainforest, high moorland, and the lunar desert of the Saddle before making your final push to Uhuru Peak, the Roof of Africa. Stay in mountain huts on the route, acclimatize at Horombo, and enjoy magnificent summit views from the top.

Hikers and the team wake in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Hard

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut through Rainforest

Begin by heading to Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities before starting the trek. The trail climbs through tropical rainforest near the upper edge of the forest line, where we sometimes see playful blue monkeys. The track then widens to reveal beautiful hillsides before we reach Mandara Hut campsite.

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut across Moorland

Our second day on the Marangu hiking trail begins with a steep ascent through the forest before opening into high moorland. If the sky is clear and free of clouds, we may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks, two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Day 03

Acclimatization Hike to Mawenzi Hut and Back

This extra day is used for acclimatization. We hike toward, or all the way to, Mawenzi Hut and then return to Horombo Hut. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi.

Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut via the Saddle

On day four, hikers climb gradually and then cross the lunar desert of the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo to reach our campsite, which sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall.
Once at camp, hikers rest, enjoy an early dinner, and prepare for the summit hiking day.

Day 05

Midnight Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descent

Hikers and the team wake in the middle of the night and begin the final push to reach the Roof of Africa. The trail to Gilman's Point is very steep, and the ascent will be slow and steady.
From Gilman's, it is a traverse along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. Hikers and the team stay at the summit for a short time to take photos and enjoy the views before retracing all the way back to Horombo Hut.

Day 06

Horombo Hut Descent to Marangu Gate

A long trek is in store for today; however, it is mostly downhill.
Once at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate, hikers pick up their certificate that proves their achievement and catch the car transfer to the hotel in Moshi.