6 DAYS | 5 NIGHTS Marangu Route Scenic Kilimanjaro Forest Photos
Tour Overview
The 6-Day Marangu Route is the most comfortable and relaxed version of this classic Kilimanjaro climb. Adding an extra acclimatization day gives your body more time to adjust to the higher altitude, which greatly increases your chances of reaching the summit.
The route is known for its hut accommodation simple bunk beds with mattresses, offering a warm and dry place to sleep each night. The trail itself is gentle in many areas and well-maintained, making it a good choice for those who prefer a steady, smooth climb.
Throughout the journey, you will pass through rich rainforest, open moorland, a quiet alpine desert, and finally the snowy slopes leading to Uhuru Peak. Each day brings new scenery, calm moments, and views that stay with you long after the climb is over.
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Duration: 6 Days
When to go: All Year Round
FULL ITINERARY
Arrival at Kilimanjaro and Transfer to the Hotel
When you land at Kilimanjaro International Airport, your driver will welcome you and take you to your hotel in Arusha or Moshi. This day is all about resting and settling in. Take your time to unpack, check your climbing gear, and make sure everything is ready for the mountain.
In the evening, you will meet your guide for a full briefing. They will explain the route, talk about safety, and answer any questions. This preparation helps you feel confident and relaxed before the climb. You can also enjoy the calm surroundings, good food, and a peaceful night’s rest as you prepare for the adventure ahead.
Where to Stay
Overnight: Lodge / Hotel
MEAL PLAN
Full Board
Day 1:
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
Distance: ~8 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Elevation Change: 1,860 m → 2,700 m
Your climb begins at Marangu Gate, where you check in and step onto the forest trail. The rainforest is cool, fresh, and full of life. Tall trees form a green roof above you, and thick plants cover the ground on both sides of the path. The air smells of earth, moss, and fresh leaves.
As you walk deeper into the forest, the sounds of nature surround you birds calling from high branches and colobus monkeys leaping through the canopy. The trail is gentle and peaceful, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the shade and calm of the forest.
Approaching Mandara Hut, you notice the air becoming cooler and the forest more open. Mist sometimes settles around the camp, creating a soft, quiet atmosphere. It’s a comfortable place to rest and enjoy your first evening on the mountain.
Where to Stay
Overnight: Mandara Hut
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast (at hotel), Lunch & Dinner
Day 2:
Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
Distance: ~12 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Elevation Change: 2,700 m → 3,720 m
After breakfast, the trail continues through the last part of the rainforest before opening into the moorland zone. This change in scenery is dramatic. The trees become shorter, and suddenly the world stretches out in front of you with wide open spaces and distant views.
The air feels cooler and cleaner as you make your way past tall grasses, rocky slopes, and patches of wildflowers. Depending on the weather, you may see clouds rolling below you or clear skies revealing the full shape of Kilimanjaro.
As you get closer to Horombo Hut, both Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Peak may appear on the horizon. Their shapes are bold and impressive, giving you a real sense of the journey ahead. Horombo Hut sits on a wide plateau with long, open views perfect for ending a full day of hiking.
Where to Stay
Overnight: Horombo Hut
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 3:
Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut
acclimatization hike: Moderate gain, return to 3,720 m
Today is all about giving your body time to adjust to the altitude. After breakfast, you will take a gentle acclimatization hike toward Mawenzi Ridge or Zebra Rocks. The scenery here is wide, clear, and open, with beautiful views of Mawenzi’s sharp peaks rising dramatically from the landscape.
The trail is not too difficult, allowing you to walk slowly, breathe deeply, and enjoy the beauty of the alpine surroundings. This hike helps your body adapt to the thinner air and makes the rest of the climb safer and more comfortable.
After returning to Horombo Hut, you will enjoy a warm lunch and spend the afternoon resting, taking photos, exploring the area around the camp, or simply relaxing while watching the clouds drift across the sky.
Where to Stay
Overnight: Horombo Hut
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 4:
Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut
Distance: ~10 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Elevation Change: 3,720 m → 4,703 m
Today’s trail leads into the alpine desert, a wide, dry, and silent environment. The landscape changes completely there are very few plants, and the ground is a mix of sand, volcanic rock, and ancient lava flows. The air feels thinner, and the mountain seems much closer.
Walking between Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Peak creates a powerful feeling. Mawenzi rises sharply on one side with jagged ridges, while Kibo stands ahead like a giant dome covered in snow at the top. The scenery is open and dramatic, offering long views in every direction.
Reaching Kibo Hut brings a sense of focus. The hut sits at the base of the summit trail, and climbers prepare mentally and physically for the night ahead. After an early dinner, you will rest, hydrate, and get ready for the midnight summit push.
Where to Stay
Overnight: Kibo Hut
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 5:
Summit Day – Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, descend to Horombo Hut
Distance: ~21 km
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
Elevation Change: 4,703 m → 5,895 m → 3,720 m
Summit day begins shortly after midnight. You start climbing in the quiet darkness, guided by headlamps glowing along the trail. The air is very cold and the path is steady and steep, but each step brings you closer to the top.As the sky slowly brightens, the mountain transforms around you. Colors shift from deep blue to orange, pink, and gold, lighting the snow and ice along the crater rim. Reaching Gilman’s Point is your first major milestone, offering a stunning view into the crater.
From there, you continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Standing at the summit is a powerful moment silent, cold, and unbelievably beautiful. You can see the glaciers, the vast plains below, and the deep sky stretching above you. After taking photos and enjoying the moment, you begin the long descent. You return to Kibo Hut for a short rest and meal, then continue down to Horombo Hut, where a warm dinner and deep sleep wait for you.
Where to Stay
Overnight: Horombo Hut
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Day 6:
Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate – Hotel
Distance: ~20 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Elevation Change: 3,720 m → 1,860 m
Your final day takes you back through the moorland and into the rich green rainforest. The air becomes warmer and more humid, and the sounds of nature return birds singing, insects buzzing, and monkeys playing in the trees.
The trail feels peaceful and familiar, giving you time to reflect on your journey and the achievement of reaching the summit. Light filters through the leaves, creating beautiful moments of color and shadow along the path.
At Marangu Gate, you will sign out and receive your summit certificate. Your driver will be waiting to take you back to your hotel for a hot shower, a good meal, and a comfortable night of rest after an unforgettable adventure.
Where to Stay
Overnight: Hotel in Arusha/Moshi
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Departure Day
MEAL PLAN
Breakfast
Tour Inclusion
- Accommodation on full board basis
- All park entry fees
- Photographic guidance
- Domestic flights and road transfers
- Soft drinks and snacks
- Support equipment (bean bags, charging station, etc.)
Tour Exclusion
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Optional activities
- Staff gratuities
- Personal expenses
Price Per Person
|
Number of Person
|
Price per Person
|
|---|---|
|
PAX 2 |
$ 480 |
|
PAX 3 |
$ 460 |
|
PAX 4 |
$ 440 |
|
PAX 5+ |
$ 567 |
Tour Inclusion
- Accommodation on full board basis
- All park entry fees
- Photographic guidance
- Domestic flights and road transfers
- Soft drinks and snacks
- Support equipment (bean bags, charging station, etc.)
Tour Exclusion
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Visa fees
- Optional activities
- Staff gratuities
- Personal expenses
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