6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak at Christmas

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Ascend through beautiful tropical rainforest and spot blue monkeys
• 02 Marvel at panoramic views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks
• 03 Explore the unique landscape around Mawenzi Ridge for acclimatization
• 04 Conquer the mentally and physically challenging push to Uhuru Peak
• 05 Collect your summit certificate after descending through lush rainforest

Embark on a 6-day Christmas climb on Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route. Ascend through beautiful tropical rainforest, with chances to spot blue monkeys, before reaching the high moorland with panoramic views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Spend an acclimatization day exploring the unique landscape around Mawenzi Ridge, then take on the mentally and physically demanding summit push to Uhuru Peak. Descend through lush rainforest, collect your summit certificate, and celebrate this remarkable achievement.

At Gilman's Point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will ever see coming over Mawenzi Peak.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Shared

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Arusha, Moshi, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Moshi / Arusha to Marangu Gate and Mandara Hut

• Before beginning our trek, we depart Moshi for Marangu Gate for the necessary formalities. The hiking trail begins by ascending through a beautiful tropical rainforest. We may see blue monkeys at the upper edge of the forest line. The trail then widens to reveal beautiful hillsides until we reach Mandara Hut.

2

Day 02

Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

• We continue through the forest until the trail opens into high moorland. We may get our first views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks - two of the three volcanic peaks that make up the summit of Kilimanjaro.

3

Day 03

Acclimatization Hike to Zebra Rocks

• This extra day is meant for acclimatization and can be spent hiking on Mawenzi Ridge. The unique landscape offers motivating views of Kibo and Mawenzi. After spending some time exploring the area, we head back to Horombo Hut.

4

Day 04

Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

• We climb gradually, then cross the lunar desert of the "Saddle" between Mawenzi and Kibo. Our camp, Kibo Hut, sits at the bottom of the Kibo crater wall. Once here, we rest and enjoy an early dinner to prepare for summit day.

5

Day 05

Summit Push to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Hut

• We begin our push to the summit very early in the morning, around midnight. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek. The wind and cold at this elevation and time of day can be extreme. We ascend in the darkness for several hours while taking frequent but short breaks. At Gilman's Point (18,600 ft), you will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise you will ever see coming over Mawenzi Peak. Finally, we arrive at Uhuru Peak - the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the continent of Africa.
• After taking in the plains of Africa and your accomplishment, we descend to Horombo Hut. Later in the evening, we enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned sleep.

6

Day 06

Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate and Return to Moshi / Arusha

• On our last day, we have a long trek, mostly downhill, through the tropical rainforest. Once at the park headquarters at Marangu Gate, we collect our summit certificates. A vehicle will meet us here and drive us back to the hotel in Moshi.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• Guide
• Park fees
• Tax
• Meals according to the itinerary
• Gate transfer
• Crew wages
• Fair and sustainable salary crew wages
• Environment fees
• During the climb, you will sleep in huts
• 4 breakfasts
• 5 lunches
• 5 dinners
• Drinking water
• Porters
• Cook

What's Not Included

• Flights
• Items of a personal nature
• Laundry services
• Tips to the mountain crew

Know before you go

• Hiking starts from 21st December to 26th December. To be on top of Mount Kilimanjaro on 25th December, Christmas Day. If you are still wondering what to do over the festive season, why not spend your Christmas on Mount Kilimanjaro? This 6-day Marangu Route Christmas climbing Kilimanjaro trekking and hiking tour in Tanzania can be an exhilarating experience and is a perfect adventure for you and your best friend, or even you and your spouse. Kilimanjaro, especially, is one of a kind. It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world. Also known as the Roof of Africa, the mountain is quite 'walkable' in that it is not particularly challenging to reach the summit. Essentially, most people can do it if they are fit and healthy.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour start

Moshi, Tanzania

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.