5-Day Kilimanjaro Climb via Marangu Route to Uhuru Peak

Elevation: 5,500 ft. / 1,700 m to 9,000 ft / 2,740 m

Distance: 7 km

Time: 4-5 hours

Climatic Zone: Montane Forest

Meals: L, D

Hut: Mandara Hut

After an early breakfast, you will be transferred from the hotel to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate, where you will spend 45 minutes on registration and obtaining your climbing permit. After that, you will start walking through rainforest vegetation to Mandara Hut. In the forest, you may see Colobus monkeys and a variety of birds. You will also pass Maundi Crater, where you can see the surrounding areas, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya.

Elevation: 9,000 ft. / 2,700 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m

Distance: 11 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Climatic Zone: Heathland/Moorland

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Horombo Hut

After waking up in the morning, you will have breakfast at Mandara Hut and then start following an ascending path across the open moorland to Horombo Hut. Due to the change in altitude, you will experience varying weather conditions. The views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are incredible.

Elevation: 12,100 ft. / 3,700 m to 15,400 ft / 4,700 m

Distance: 10 km

Time: 6-8 hours

Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Kibo Hut

Early in the morning, you will wake up and have breakfast. You will pass the last watering point as you continue between Kilimanjaro's peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Then you will rest, have dinner, and prepare for the summit.

Elevation: 15,400 ft. / 4,700 m to 19,300 ft / 5,895 m; 19,300 ft / 5,895 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m

Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down

Time: 10-15 hours

Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert

Meals: B, L, D

Hut: Horombo Camp

Elevation: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 5,500 ft / 1,700 m

Distance: 18 km

Time: 5-7 hours

Meals: B

After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut. Continue descending through the bush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be enough to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.

A vehicle will meet you at Marangu Gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi. Don't forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration.