Marangu Route 5-Day Kilimanjaro Itinerary: Day-by-Day Guide
Date Published
Day 1: Marangu Gate to Mandara Huts
Start Point: Marangu Gate (1905m)
End Point: Mandara Huts (2720m)
Distance: Approximately 8.75km
Hiking Time: About 3 hours
Begin your journey with a 45-minute drive from Moshi town to Marangu Gate, the headquarters of Kilimanjaro National Park. Registration can take up to an hour, depending on the number of trekkers. Start your uphill trek through the rainforest ecosystem, where you might spot blue monkeys, black and white colobus monkeys, and the Kilimanjaro impatiens flower. Stop for a picnic lunch at Kisamboni before continuing upwards. The trail steepens as you pass through the forest, with heather and bearded lichen appearing near Mandara Huts. If you have energy left, take a walk to Maundi Crater for views of Kenya and Mawenzi Peak. The huts here offer the luxury of flush toilets and running water from a spring above.
Day 2: Mandara Huts to Horombo Huts
Start Point: Mandara Huts (2720m)
End Point: Horombo Huts (3720m)
Distance: Approximately 12km
Hiking Time: 6-8 hours
After a short stretch of forest, you will trek through moorland, characterized by heather and lobelias. Both peaks of Kilimanjaro, Kibo and Mawenzi, become visible, providing a stunning backdrop for photos. Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way before reaching Horombo Huts. These busy huts sleep up to 120 people and offer a lively atmosphere where you can share tips and stories with fellow trekkers over dinner.
Day 3: Horombo Huts to Kibo Huts
Start Point: Horombo Huts (3720m)
End Point: Kibo Huts (4715m)
Distance: Approximately 9km
Hiking Time: 4-6 hours
Today's trek crosses the saddle, an alpine desert separating Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Watch for altitude sickness symptoms and walk pole pole (slowly) behind your guide. Enjoy views of parasitic cones formed by volcanic eruptions. As you cross the saddle, you'll see the path for summit night up to Gillman’s Point. Kibo Huts, located under the peak, offer basic stone huts and cold temperatures. Arrive for a late lunch and rest in preparation for your summit attempt.
Day 4: Summit Night and Descent to Horombo Huts
Summit Start Point: Kibo Huts (4715m)
Summit End Point: Uhuru Peak (5895m)
Total Distance: Approximately 6.25km
Hiking Time: About 6 hours to summit
Descent Start Point: Uhuru Peak (5895m)
Descent End Point: Horombo Huts (3720m)
Total Distance: Approximately 15.25km (6.25km back to Kibo, 9km to Horombo)
Hiking Time: 3-4 hours to Kibo Huts, 3-4 hours to Horombo Huts
Depending on your acclimatization, you'll be woken at 11pm-12am to start your ascent to Uhuru Peak with tea and biscuits. The climb to Gillman’s Point is steep and challenging, but slow and steady wins the race. After a rest at Gillman’s Point, continue to Uhuru Peak to enjoy stunning views of glaciers and Reusch’s Crater. Most trekkers reach the peak in about 6 hours, in time for a breathtaking sunrise. Descend quickly to Kibo, then continue to Horombo Huts, with some trekkers 'skiing' down the scree.
Day 5: Horombo Huts to Marangu Gate
Start Point: Horombo Huts (3720m)
End Point: Marangu Gate (1905m)
Distance: Approximately 20.75km
Hiking Time: 7-8 hours
This final day will feel like a breeze after the summit climb. Enjoy the descent, and if time permits, take the Marangu ‘Nature Trail’ to a beautiful waterfall. Watch for monkeys and birds before reaching Marangu Gate. Sign out of the National Park and explore a souvenir spot with maps, books, and postcards. Our car will then pick you up and transfer you to your hotel for a well-deserved rest, with massages available on request.
