Tanzania · Trekking

7-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

7 Days Round trip from Kilimanjaro Airport Rd Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Conquer Uhuru Peak, the "Roof of Africa"
  • 02 Travel through moorlands and alpine desert on the Marangu Route
  • 03 Stay in dormitory-style mountain huts unique to this route
  • 04 Take in breathtaking vistas of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks

Experience a 7-day trek to Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route from Moshi and conquer the "Roof of Africa" at Uhuru Peak. Travel through moorlands and alpine desert landscapes, stay in the route's distinctive dormitory-style huts, and take in breathtaking vistas of Kibo and Mawenzi. Descend through Kilimanjaro's tranquil cloud forest as you complete this classic summit adventure.

The final hike is simply magical as you walk amid the gods in Mount Kilimanjaro's tranquil cloud forest.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 7 Days
Tour type Shared
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access Not applicable
Cities Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu
Languages English, Swahili

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival at Kilimanjaro Airport and Transfer to Moshi

You will be picked up from the airport and taken to your hotel in Moshi. A briefing will take place at the hotel, where our guides will go through all the important details regarding your trek and inspect your trekking gear to make sure you have all the necessary equipment for your climb the next day.

2
Day 02

Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

You will have a chance to get to know your guides, chefs, and porters before departing from your hotel in Moshi. After completing the gate registration, you will begin your journey to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Our final destination is Mandara Hut. Once we arrive, you can decide whether to relax for the rest of the day or take a leisurely stroll to Maundi Crater.

Elevation Gain: 943 meters (3,000 feet)

Walking Time: 3-4 hours

Distance: 7 km

3
Day 03

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

After breakfast, we will head towards Horombo Hut. The environment will shift drastically as the 7-day Marangu Route takes us through Mount Kilimanjaro's moorland, a rock-strewn desert plain with succulent plants.

We will arrive at the Horombo Huts at approximately 3:00 p.m., and the afternoon can be spent relaxing. The Horombo Huts are exceptionally busy but are considered the finest huts on Mount Kilimanjaro. These small frame huts can house a maximum of eight people and provide suitable lodging for ascending, descending, and acclimatizing hikers. They can accommodate up to 120 hikers, with additional room for porters, chefs, and guides.

Elevation Gain: 977 meters (3,200 feet)

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Distance: 11 km

4
Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

After breakfast, we will hike through the moorland and alpine desert region of Mount Kilimanjaro. After about an hour of hiking, we will encounter a small mountain stream called the Maua River. Once you pass Maua, you will notice that the terrain becomes smoother and the vegetation diminishes.

We will have an appetizing lunch at Middle Red Hill. Shortly after lunch, we will continue our trek and spend the next four hours travelling to Kibo on a steady incline through Mount Kilimanjaro's Saddle. The silver lining of travelling through a barren desert is the breathtaking vista of the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks.

You will reach Kibo Hut in the afternoon. It is recommended that you rest and prepare for your midnight climb.

Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters (3,380 feet)

Walking Time: 6-8 hours

Distance: 10 km

5
Day 05

Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

The final leg of your journey is the ascent to Uhuru Peak, which has been awarded the title "The Roof of Africa". We will leave shortly after midnight and begin the strenuous five-hour hike to Gillman's Point on the crater rim. This is considered the least challenging of the three crater ascent paths, but it is still an arduous hike.

William's Point is the first major rest stop, and it usually takes two hours from Kibo Hut to arrive at the five-thousand-metre mark. The incline from Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak increases gradually; consequently, it is not a difficult hike. You will feel tired, and this part will take a long time due to the high altitude. The crater rim hike will last about two hours.

Once you reach the summit, we have allocated time for you to take photographs and celebrate your triumph. We will then start descending to Horombo Hut, our final stop on the route. You can stop at Kibo Hut to recollect yourself and enjoy some energy-dense snacks. We will reach the Horombo Huts in the afternoon, and you can enjoy your last moments on the mountain.

Elevation Gain: 1,145 meters (3,760 feet)

Elevation Loss: 2,175 meters (7,140 feet)

Walking Time: 11-13 hours

Distance: 18 km

6
Day 06

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate and Return to Moshi

After breakfast, we will finish the trek by descending to Marangu Gate. The final hike is simply magical as you walk amid the gods in Mount Kilimanjaro's tranquil cloud forest. We advise watching your step, as the trail can be fairly slippery.

Our vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to drive you back to Moshi. You can also buy sodas and souvenirs.

Elevation Loss: 1,920 meters (6,295 feet)

Walking Time: 5-6 hours

Distance: 19 km

7
Day 07

Departure from Moshi to Kilimanjaro Airport

Today, we will transfer you to Kilimanjaro Airport, where you will bid your farewells to Tanzania and its people. If you have chosen to go on a safari, we will be more than happy to arrange that for you.

Maundi Crater, Mandara Hut, Kibo Hut, Uhuru Peak

Where this trip takes you

Maundi Crater, Mandara Hut, Kibo Hut, Uhuru Peak

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Kilimanjaro Airport Rd 3 cities · 7 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Transport to and from the park gate, and airport transfers
  • Pre- and post-climb accommodation (B&B) in Moshi
  • Professional English-speaking guide(s), porters, and cook
  • All transportation in the destination location
  • 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, and 4 dinners
  • Water, tea, and coffee

What's Not Included

  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Visa and passport fees
  • Increases in park fees, where applicable
  • Personal equipment
  • Sleeping bag
  • Gratuities/tips for guide(s), porters, and cook
  • Soda and alcoholic beverages

Know before you go

Marangu is a term derived from the native Chagga language, and the direct translation is "full of water". The Marangu Route is highly frequented, and it is the oldest route travelled. The Marangu Route is the easiest way to the summit and is generally considered an effortless trek. It is the only route that approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast. The required time to complete the hike is five days, and experts recommend a 6th day for extra acclimatization on the mountain.

The accommodation sets this route apart from the others, as dormitory-style sleeping huts are available. Your sleeping bag is required, but the huts have relatively comfy mattresses and bunks. The 7-day Marangu Route will always be the timeless trip to Africa's rooftop. However, the other routes tend to provide more scenic variation.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Moshi, Tanzania
Tour start
Kilimanjaro Airport Rd, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 7 days finish where they began, in Kilimanjaro Airport Rd.

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