5-Day Marangu Climbing Route

On reaching the Marangu Gate (1,843m), you will meet your crew, complete park registration, and begin your 5-day ascent of Mount Kilimanjaro. You will start the trek through a dense, mist-covered forest area where the blue monkey, black and white colobus, and bushbaby can be spotted. You will stop at Kisambioni for a picnic lunch before reaching Mandara Hut (2,700m), comprising a complex of wooden ‘A’ shaped huts containing two rooms with four bunk beds each. Please be aware that although bunk beds are provided you will still require your own sleeping bag.

You will start your trek around the base of Maundi Crater; a beautiful spot, the remnant of a volcanic vent, where lush grasses, known as Tussock can be seen along with glorious views. Heading northwest, you'll follow the trail through alpine meadows, crossing a stream to get to grassland and eventually entering moorland. You will stay overnight at Horombo Hut (3,720m), based in a rocky valley which on a clear day can have views of Moshi below you and where the end of your long day will be rewarded with what is usually described as a ‘magnificent sunset’.

The route becomes gradually steeper and rockier as you leave Horombo Hut. You will pass ‘Last Water’ and head up the stark landscape up to ‘The Saddle’ —the broad lava-stone ridge —between Mawenzi and Kibo. Stunning views of the upper reaches of Kilimanjaro can be seen before you arrive at Kibo Hut (4,703m) where you will have a hot meal in the afternoon, a relaxing evening, and an early bedtime so you are well-rested to start hiking at midnight for your final ascent to the summit.

Setting off at midnight for the summit, this is the longest and most demanding day of the entire trek. The trail follows a long scree slope past the Hans Meyer Cave and then turns into a single-file zigzag. A short rocky path requiring some scrambling leads to Gillmans Point situated on the crater rim, 5,685m. This part of the hike is very steep and is the most challenging section of the route. Once you reach Gillmans Point, it is just another two hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Once there, all your hard work will feel more than worth it as you will be rewarded with a spectacular sunrise over ice fields and the Mawenzi peaks. You will spend a short time at Uhuru Peak before starting your descent to Kibo Hut for a break and a short time for you to rest. You will then head to Horombo Hut.

After breakfast, you will descend to Marangu Gate retracing your steps past Mandara Hut, back through the magnificent rainforest, and finally reach Marangu Gate. Once at the gate, you will receive your summit certificates, have short celebrations with your porters, and be driven back to your hotel where you can have a hot shower, rest, and maybe even enjoy a Kilimanjaro beer or two!