6-Days Kilimanjaro Hike Marangu Route Summit Uhuru Peak

Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro via the Marangu Route. Enjoy the beauty of the rainforest, moorland, and alpine desert on the way.
Day 1: Moshi/Arusha to Marangu Gate – Hike to Mandara Hut
Your adventure begins with a scenic drive from Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate (1,860m), the official starting point of the “Coca-Cola Route.” After registration, you start hiking through a lush rainforest, filled with towering trees, birdlife, and the chance of spotting colobus monkeys. The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, making it a comfortable first day. After 4–5 hours of trekking, you reach Mandara Hut (2,720m), where you’ll rest for the night and enjoy the fresh mountain air.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Leaving the rainforest behind, today’s trek takes you through heath and moorland vegetation. The trail gradually ascends, offering stunning views of Mawenzi Peak on clear days. The hike is about 6–8 hours and covers approximately 12 km. You’ll arrive at Horombo Hut (3,720m), which sits on a plateau surrounded by giant lobelias and groundsels. This hut is often shared by climbers ascending and descending, creating a lively and social atmosphere.

Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
To increase your chances of a successful summit, you’ll spend an extra day at Horombo Hut for acclimatization. A popular short hike leads you towards Mawenzi Hut with fantastic views of both Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. This day helps your body adjust to higher altitudes while giving you time to rest and recharge. Meals and overnight stay remain at Horombo Hut.

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Today’s trek is long but relatively gradual. You’ll pass through the saddle, a vast alpine desert that connects Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The scenery changes dramatically, with fewer plants and a more barren landscape. After about 6–7 hours of hiking, you reach Kibo Hut (4,700m) at the foot of Kibo Peak. Here you’ll have an early dinner and head to bed early, preparing for the challenging summit attempt.

Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak – Descend to Horombo Hut
The toughest but most rewarding day begins around midnight. With headlamps lighting the way, you’ll climb slowly up steep switchbacks to Gilman’s Point (5,685m) on the crater rim. From here, it’s a further 1–2 hours to Uhuru Peak (5,895m), the highest point in Africa. Witness the breathtaking sunrise over the endless plains—a life-changing moment. After celebrating and taking photos, you descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue to Horombo Hut (3,720m) for a well-deserved night’s sleep.

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate – Return to Moshi/Arusha
Your final trek takes you back through the moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, where you’ll sign out and receive your summit certificate if you reached Uhuru Peak or Gilman’s Point. The hike down takes about 5–6 hours. At the gate, you’ll bid farewell to your mountain crew before being transferred back to Moshi or Arusha, filled with memories of your incredible Kilimanjaro journey.

To guarantee availability book as soon as possible. Early booking is worth consideration especially if you planning the trip during high season like public holidays or weekends.

This excursion you can cancel with no cost up to 24 hours before the start of the trip. If you cancel it after 24 hours or not show up on the excursion you will still be charged the full price of the activity. Being late on pick-up or departure will be considered as not showing up.