Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Trek to Uhuru Peak

6 Days Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro Easy pace

Traverse through the majestic Mount Kilimanjaro

View all 7 photos

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Climb Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route with hut accommodation
02 Spend an acclimatization day at Horombo Huts with an optional walk toward Mawenzi base camp
03 Cross the sweeping saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo in a dramatic semi-desert landscape
04 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and in Africa
05 Watch a magnificent sunrise near Gillman's Point during the summit ascent

Embark on a 6-day trekking expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route, passing through rainforest, moorland, and alpine terrain on your way to Uhuru Peak. Trek between Mandara, Horombo, and Kibo Huts, with time for acclimatization at Horombo before your midnight summit push. Along the way, enjoy scenic views of Mawenzi, the Kibo Summit viewpoint, and the dramatic saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. This route offers hut accommodation throughout and ends with your return to Moshi after your summit achievement.

Congratulations - one step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days

Tour type Private

Activity level Easy

Accommodation Included · Standard

Transport Included

Wheelchair access No

Cities Moshi, Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, Marangu

Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts Through the Rainforest

Elevation: 1905m/6250ft to 2723m/8934ft

Altitude gained: 818m

Departing from Moshi, a 1-hour drive takes you through the village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate.
We patiently wait for permits to be issued while watching the hustle and bustle of operations as many crews prepare for the journey ahead.
Enjoy the beautiful rainforest scenery and winding trails while your guide tells you about the local flora, fauna, and natural wildlife.
At these lower elevations, the trail can be muddy and quite slippery. We highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles here.

Day 02

Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts Across the Moorland

Elevation: 2723m/8934ft to 3721m/12,208ft

Altitude gained: 998m

After a good night's sleep and a hearty breakfast, we emerge from the rainforest and continue on an ascending path through heathland, looking for giant lobelias and groundsels.
Continue up into open moorlands, where small shrubs are the main vegetation.
Stop halfway for lunch and enjoy amazing views of Mawenzi.
Arrive at the Horombo Huts in the late afternoon beneath the spectacular Kibo Summit viewpoint. Temperatures begin to drop.

Day 03

Acclimatization Day at Horombo Huts

You can spend a full day and a second night at Horombo.
On this day, you can either rest at the huts or take a stroll up to Mawenzi base camp, then return to the Horombo Huts. This extra day will help your acclimatization and further your understanding of the mountain's weather and altitude.
After your pause, you will continue up to the Kibo Huts on your fourth day for your midnight start to the summit.

Day 04

Horombo Huts to Kibo Huts Across the Saddle

Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 4714m/15,466ft

Altitude gained: 993m

After breakfast, we continue through the dwindling heathland that blends into a moonscape as you enter the sweeping saddle connecting Mawenzi and Kibo.
Here, while we stop for lunch, and later when you cross this surprisingly large saddle, you can examine the summit climb up Kibo that you will be starting in just a few hours.

Day 05

Summit Day to Uhuru Peak and Descent to Horombo Huts

Elevation: 4714m/15,466ft to 5895m/19,341ft

Altitude gained: 1181m

Descent to 3721m/12,208ft

Altitude lost: 2174m

Excitement builds as morning comes with an early start between midnight and 2 a.m. This is the most mentally and physically challenging portion of the trek.
We continue our way to the summit in a switchback formation, trying to stay warm and focused on the amazing sense of accomplishment that lies ahead.
With a switchback motion, we ascend through heavy scree and possibly snow toward Gillman's Point on the crater rim. You will be rewarded with the most magnificent sunrise during your short rest here.
Faster hikers may view the sunrise from the summit. From here, on your remaining 1-hour ascent to Uhuru Peak, you are likely to encounter snow all the way.
Congratulations - one step at a time, you have now reached Uhuru Peak, the highest point on Mount Kilimanjaro and the entire continent of Africa!
After photos, celebrations, and maybe a few tears of joy, we take a few moments to enjoy this incredible accomplishment.
We begin our steep descent down to Mweka Camp, stopping at Barafu for lunch and a very brief rest. We strongly recommend gaiters and trekking poles for the uncooperative loose gravel and volcanic ash terrain.
Well-deserved rest awaits you to enjoy your last evening on the mountain. Overnight at Mweka Camp.

Day 06

Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate and Return to Moshi

Elevation: 3721m/12,208ft to 1905m/6250ft

Altitude lost: 1816m

After breakfast and a heartfelt ceremony of appreciation and team bonding with your crew, it's time to say goodbye.
We continue the descent, stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. Remember to tip your guides, cooks, and porters, since you will be leaving them here.
You return to the Marangu Park Gate and receive your summit certificates.
As the weather is drastically warmer, the terrain is wet, muddy, and steep, and we highly recommend gaiters and trekking poles.
From the gate, a vehicle will meet you to drive you back to your hotel in Moshi, about 45 minutes away.
Enjoy a long-overdue hot shower, dinner, and celebrations.
Overnight at Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel 4 stars B&B before being transferred for your journey home, safari, or a relaxing trip to Zanzibar.

Where this trip takes you

Uhuru Peak, the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, Horombo Huts moorland

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mt Kilimanjaro 4 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
Professional, English-speaking Wilderness First Responder and CPR-certified guide
Pre- and post-accommodation (2 nights bed and breakfast)
Proper rations for the mountain crew (cook and porters)
Airport transfers
Meals according to the itinerary
Drinking water and full-board meals
All National Park and hut fees, crew permits, and VAT
Fair and sustainable crew wages
Gate transfers
Complimentary oxygen cylinder
Credit card transfer fees

What's Not Included

Flights
Visa fees
Travel or medical insurance is required
Tips for porters and mountain crew ($20 guide, $15 cook, $10 porter)
Personal spending money for souvenirs, etc.
Energy food and beverages, alcoholic drinks, and soft drinks
Personal hire gear such as trekking poles, sleeping bags, etc.
Additional lodge nights in case of early descent from the mountain

What to bring

To ensure your safety and comfort on Mount Kilimanjaro, you must prepare thoroughly and have the necessary equipment and supplies. To help you prepare, we've put together a detailed packing list for Kilimanjaro. The walk takes you through a variety of climates, from the warm and humid jungles at the base to the frigid, icy temperatures at the summit. As a result, it is critical to be prepared for a variety of weather conditions, such as sunlight, wind, and rain. To make your trip easier, we'll provide all of the basic necessities, such as tents, camping gear, food, and cooking supplies. Porters will transport your personal belongings in a duffel bag, while you will carry a daypack with your essentials, such as water, snacks, and personal gear, during the walk. This preparation ensures you are well-equipped to handle the challenges of climbing Kilimanjaro while staying comfortable and safe.

Know before you go

Marangu Route, commonly known as the Coca Cola route, is more popular because it can be done in fewer days and has permanent sleep huts at the campsites.

Summit night from Kibo Hut is steep and passes Gilman's Point to Uhuru Peak. It is a shorter route with a steeper incline and less time for acclimatization, so it tends to have a lower summit success rate. This is the only route where the ascent and descent route is shared, thus creating more traffic.

Logistics