7 Days Climb Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route

On this day, you will be picked up from either the Kilimanjaro or Arusha Airport. You will then drive to Greenside Hotel. Once you arrive and settle in, your guide will brief you on the hike, and what to expect day by day as well as check if you have all the necessary gear for the hike.

Drive to Kilimanjaro National Park Marangu Gate, Hike to Mandara Hut. After breakfast and briefing, you’ll drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 2 hours), register, and commence the climb. You’ll 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, you’ll look for towering Eucalyptus trees, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.

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

Distance: 8km/5 mi.

Hiking Time: 3-4 hours.

Habitat: Montane Forest.

You will leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. The views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. You’ll 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/7.5 mi.

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours.

Habitat: Heathland.

At Horombo Hut, you will spend the day allowing your body to acclimate to high altitude. You will have the option of doing a day hike to Mawenzi Hut (4600m) for further acclimatization with your guide. Breakfast and dinner will be at the hut and lunch will either be packed or at the hut depending on your preference for the day.

Ascending, you’ll now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with the upper heathland but then disappears into a “moonscape”. You’ll have dinner, rest, and prepare for the summit climb.

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

Distance: 9km/5.5 mi.

Hiking Time: 5-6 hours.

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), you’ll commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s Point located on the crater rim. Continuing, you will now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. You’ll have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here you’ll descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing 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. An optimistic attitude will get you there.

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

Down to 3700m/12,200ft.

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

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

Habitat: Alpine Desert.

After breakfast, a steady descent takes you down through the moorland to the Mandara Hut. You’ll continue descending through the 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 (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy). A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to Arusha/Moshi or airports in these regions. Don’t forget to tip your guides and porters. It is time for celebration. Should you stay in Arusha or Moshi, a transfer back to the airport is available for you on the next day.

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

Distance: 20km/12.5 mi.

Hiking Time: 4-5 hours.

Habitat: Forest.