5-Day Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

• After breakfast and a briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register, and commence the trek.
• Walk through the rainforest to the Mandara Huts. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings, including Northern Tanzania and Kenya.
• Look for towering eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys in the rainforest.

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft

Distance: 8km/5mi

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours

Habitat: Montane Forest

Meals: Lunch, Dinner

Budget Lodging: Mandara Hut

• Leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path across the open moorlands to the Horombo Huts.
• Take in amazing views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo, and look for giant lobelias and groundsels.
• You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.

Elevation: 2700m/8875ft to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 12km/7.5mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Heathland

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

• Ascending, pass the last watering point and walk onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins as upper heathland and then disappears into a "moonscape."
• Have dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 4700m/15,500ft

Distance: 9km/5.5mi

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Budget Lodging: Kibo Hut

• Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman's Point, located on the crater rim.
• Continuing on, ascend to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family.
• From here, descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing to the Horombo Huts. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you descend, so you need all your warm layers. This is the most challenging part of the trek, with many switchbacks. Going slowly "pole pole" and keeping an optimistic attitude will get you there!

Elevation: 4700m/15,500ft to 5895m/19,340ft

Down to 3700m/12,200ft

Distance: 6km/4mi up / 15km/9mi down

Hiking Time: 6-8 hours up / 15km/9mi down

Habitat: Alpine Desert

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Budget Lodging: Horombo Hut

• After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through moorland to Mandara Hut.
• Then continue descending through a lush forest path to the Marangu National Park gate. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and T-shirts will probably be plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy. A vehicle will meet you at the Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi (about 1 hour).

Elevation: 3700m/12,200ft to 1700m/5500ft

Distance: 20km/12.5mi

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours

Habitat: Forest

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch