Marangu Route, Kilimanjaro

The Marangu Route provides a gradual ascent and is the perfect route for those looking for a less strenuous approach to summiting Kilimanjaro. Throughout this route, you’ll pass through lush rainforests, stunning moorlands, and alpine desert landscapes, making it an awe-inspiring trek you’ll never forget.

This package is designed for travellers eager to conquer Africa’s highest mountain, beginning the moment you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You’ll receive a warm welcome from our driver, who will escort you to our hotel, where a tasty meal and a detailed pre-trek briefing from our expert coordinators will get you ready for the journey ahead. Your trek sets off from Moshi and winds through Kilimanjaro’s striking environments, starting in lush rainforest and gradually ascending into higher-altitude zones as you approach the summit. Each day you’ll acclimatize at different camps while our team looks after your safety and comfort.

The journey’s defining moment is reaching Uhuru Peak, where you’ll stand on the rooftop of Africa. After celebrating this achievement, the descent gives you another chance to appreciate the mountain’s changing landscapes. When the trek is complete, you’ll return to our hotel to relax and recover. If you’d like to continue your adventure, you can add on a safari or unwind on the beaches of Zanzibar to round out an unforgettable Tanzania experience.

Day 0

When you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, our driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals area, holding a sign with your name and ready to offer a warm welcome. You’ll then be comfortably transferred straight to our charming hotel.

On arrival at the hotel, you’ll be treated to a delicious meal, after which our experienced mountain coordinators and your Guide will hold a pre-trek briefing—an engaging chance to learn about the adventure that lies ahead. Take time to unwind in the hotel’s tranquil setting, complete with a beautiful garden, bar, and restaurant.

Day 1

After breakfast, you’ll leave Moshi and drive for about an hour to the Marangu Gate. There, you’ll complete park registration before starting your walk through lush rainforest. The path to Mandara Hut, your first overnight stop, climbs steadily uphill, with chances to see monkeys and other forest wildlife along the way. On reaching Mandara, you’ll enjoy a hot meal and sleep in cozy A-frame huts. Later, you can choose to take a short acclimatisation walk to Maundi Crater, where wide-reaching views of the surrounding scenery await.

Hiking: 8km (4-5 hours), 1830m – 2700m.

Day 2

Start your day with a filling breakfast at Mandara Hut before setting off again, continuing through the remaining stretch of rainforest and into the moorland zone. As you gain altitude, the dense vegetation gives way to a more open, rocky landscape. The roughly 6-hour hike to Horombo Hut rewards you with impressive views of both Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. On arrival at Horombo, you’ll enjoy a hot meal and have time to rest and adjust to the higher elevation. That evening, your guide will brief you on the following day’s stage of the climb so you’re fully prepared for what’s ahead.

Hiking: 12km (5-6 hours), 2700m – 3720m

Day 3

Today you’ll cross the broad, moonlike plain known as the “Saddle,” a stark, rocky expanse that lies between the Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Though the terrain feels bare and desolate, the sight of the two massive summits rising on either side is unforgettable. The journey to Kibo Hut takes around 6 hours, giving you plenty of time to absorb the sheer scale of the surroundings. On reaching Kibo, you’ll have an early dinner and rest to conserve strength for your summit push. Later in the evening, your guide will walk you through a detailed briefing for the final ascent, which starts shortly before midnight.

Hiking: 10km (5-6 hours), 3720m – 4700m

Day 4

Just before midnight, your team will wake you to start the push for the summit. You’ll begin a long, demanding climb up the slopes toward the crater rim, gaining Gillman’s Point at 5,685 meters after roughly six hours of steady effort. This section is one of the toughest of the entire trek, but your guide will pace you carefully and offer encouragement throughout. From Gillman’s Point, you follow the edge of the crater all the way to Uhuru Peak, the true summit of Kilimanjaro and the highest point on the African continent. In clear conditions, you’ll witness a spectacular sunrise spreading across the plains below before beginning your descent, first returning to Kibo Hut for a short rest and then continuing down to Horombo Hut, where you’ll spend the night.

Hiking: 22km (12-15 hours), 4700m – 5895m – 3720m

Day 5

After breakfast, you begin the long walk back down, passing once more through the open moorland before re-entering the rich green of the rainforest on your way to Marangu Gate. As you descend, you can enjoy some final glimpses of the mountain and think back on everything you’ve achieved. At the gate, you’ll receive an official summit certificate to mark your successful climb. You’re then driven back to our hotel in Moshi, where a hot meal, a proper shower, and a soft bed are waiting for you

Hiking: 20km (6-7 hours), 3720m – 1830m

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