Kenya, Tanzania · Trekking

6-Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Expedition via Marangu Route

6 Days Round trip from Marangu Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights
  • 01 Experience the easiest and shortest route to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
  • 02 Sleep in huts at every campsite on the Marangu Route
  • 03 Hike through diverse ecosystems from rainforest to alpine desert
  • 04 Reach Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, with breathtaking views
  • 05 Take in views of Northern Tanzania and Kenya from Maundi Crater

Embark on a thrilling 6-day climbing journey on Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route, known as the easiest and shortest path to the summit. Sleep in cosy huts along the way as you hike through diverse landscapes, from lush rainforest and open moorland to alpine desert. The expedition leads to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa, with breathtaking views at the summit. This route combines scenic trekking, mountain comfort, and a rewarding descent back through Kilimanjaro's forests.

Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Days
Tour type Private
Activity level Moderate
Accommodation Included · Standard
Transport Included
Wheelchair access No
Cities Moshi, Zanzibar, Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Lake Manyara, Tarangire National Park, Marangu
Languages English

Day by day

The itinerary

1
Day 01

Arrival, briefing, and gear check

  • After arrival at the airport, our guide will take you to the hotel. After check-in, you will have a tour briefing and an equipment check. If you are missing any gear, he will take you to rent the missing items.
  • When everything is clear, you will take a rest for the next day's adventure.

Accommodation: Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel.

2
Day 02

Marangu Gate to Mandara encampment

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

Elevation: 1860m/6100ft to 2700m/8875ft.
Distance: 8km/5mi.
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.
Habitat: Montane Forest.

3
Day 03

Rainforest glades to Horombo encampment

  • You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment.
  • Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. 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: Heath land.

4
Day 04

Horombo to Kibo across the saddle

  • Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi.
  • Vegetation begins with upper heath land but then disappears into "moonscape". 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: FB.

5
Day 05

Summit climb to Uhuru Peak and descent to Horombo

  • 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, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is 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, we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment. The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights.
  • It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek, with many switchbacks.
  • Going slowly "pole pole" and 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: FB.

6
Day 06

Descent to Marangu Gate and return to Moshi

  • After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut.
  • Continue descending through a lush 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 plenty to wear, but keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy.
  • A vehicle will be waiting for you at 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.
NOTE: If you have extra time, let us know. We can arrange more activities like a Zanzibar beach safari, wildlife safaris in Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire, and Manyara, a cultural tour, and a Kenya safari. Thank you for choosing us to take you around the beauty of Tanzania, "The land of Kilimanjaro, Serengeti and Zanzibar". "Karibu Tena" is a Swahili phrase that means "Welcome Again."

Uhuru Peak, Kibo saddle and Alpine Desert, Mandara encampment rainforest, Maundi Crater views

Where this trip takes you

Uhuru Peak, Kibo saddle and Alpine Desert, Mandara encampment rainforest, Maundi Crater views

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map
Round trip from Marangu 8 cities · 6 Days

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Meals
  • Transport
  • Park fee
  • Guiding fee
  • Porters
  • Chefs

What's Not Included

  • International flights
  • Tips

What to bring

  • Rain coat
  • Jacket
  • Good shoes

Know before you go

Book in advance to avoid disappointments.

Marangu Route is also known as the "Coca Cola" or "tourist" route. It is the easiest and shortest route to the summit. This is also the only route with the comfort of sleeping huts at every campsite, with solar lights and comfortable beds. The huts are communal, and the bunks have a sponge mattress and pillow. There are 60 beds at both Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 beds at Horombo Hut. Bathrooms and running water are available at the two lower huts. Men's and ladies' latrines are available.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point
Marangu, Tanzania
Tour start
Marangu, Tanzania
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey

Your 6 days finish where they began, in Marangu.

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