6 Days Mount Kilimanjaro-Marangu Route

Full Itinerary

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1980m) – Mandara hut (2700m)
After breakfast you will drive from Moshi which is about 1 hours drive and connect to Mount Kilimanjaro for briefing. The first day’s hike is 5hours on the distance of 12kms in the montane forest. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate you will ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest which is home to most animals. Your first night stop, Mandara hut, is a group of wooden huts in a forest. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. Water is piped into the camp from springs.

Day 2: Mandara hut (2700m) – Horombo hut (3720m)
After breakfast you will hike to Horombo hut which is 6 hours hike approximately 15 kms in the moorland. From Mandara hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, then skirts the base of the Maundi Crater and then emerges into the transition from rain forest to moorland. During the hike you will see the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance. Once you are in the open moorland you will get the chance to see some of Kilimanjaro’s most spectacular plants – the endemic giant lobelia which grows up to 3 m in height and the giant groundsel (Senecia Kilimanjari), which can reach heights of 5m! You will reach the Horombo hut where you will have dinner and overnight

Day 3: Horombo hut (3720m)
Today you will have breakfast and then have an extra day and night at Horombo is for additional acclimatization. A hike towards the Mawenzi hut, passing the Zebra Rocks on the way (about 3 hours up and 1,5 hours down), is strongly recommended. This hike will further assist with the process of acclimatization. Dinner and overnight as above

Day 4: Horombo hut (3720m) – Kibo hut (4700m)
This will take 6 hours hiking 15kms in the Alpine desert
Today you will head for Mt Kilimanjaro’s summit. After breakfast you now continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. You will use the lower route (left hand fork) which is much easier, and it also passes the last watering point at 4130m. Dinner and overnight at Kibo Hut

Day 5: (Summit Attempt) Kibo hut (4700m) – Uhuru Peak (5895m) – Horombo hut (3720m)
On this day hiking will take 8h to Uhuru, 6h to get to Horombo this is approximately 6kms ascent, 21kms descent. Today you will rise up very early, have some tea and then begin hiking to the summit. The path goes up to Gillman’s point (5 681m), which is located on the crater rim. From Gillmans Point you will encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru peak (5895m), the highest point in Africa. After this you will take 3 hors to descend back to Kibo hut and others 3 hours down to Horombo hut for dinner and overnight.

Day 6: Horombo hut (3720m) – Marangu Gate (1980m)
Descending will take 6 hours which is approximately 27 hours
After breakfast you will descend passing the Mandara hut, down to the Marangu gate. Proceed to Moshi for dinner and overnight stay. End of the Safari.