5 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Via Marangu Route
Tour Highlight
5 Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Via Marangu Route is a popular trekking option for those looking to summit Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro. This route is known for its scenic beauty and gradual ascent, making it a more manageable climb for those who are less experienced or have less time to spare. The Marangu route starts at the Marangu Gate and winds through forests, moorlands, and alpine deserts before reaching the summit. Along the way, trekkers will stay in huts instead of tents, making the journey more comfortable. Despite its popularity, the climb is still a challenging and rewarding experience that requires physical fitness and mental toughness
Tour Plan
Leave Moshi at 8am for Marangu Gate. The drive to Marangu takes approximately 1 hour, and you will meet your Kisambi Tours guides, cooks and porters. After completing gate registration, begin your Kilimanjaro trek. Walk along a narrow trail through the rain forest of Kilimanjaro for most of the hike. Eat a picnic lunch at Kisambioni. After lunch continue walking through the rainforest until you reach Mandara Hut. Relax for the rest of the day or take a short walk to Maundi Crater. The views to the east over Taveta and to the northwest to Mawenzi Peak are stunning on a clear day, making the short hike well worth the effort. The A–frame Mandara Huts can accommodate up to seventy people and consist of several sleeping huts and a dining area. All of Marangu’s huts have beds with mattresses.
- Elevation: 1860m to 2700m
- Hiking Time: 4-5 hours
- Distance: 8 km
- Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
- Habitat: Rainforest
After breakfast, leave Mandara Hut and Kilimanjaro’s forests for Horombo Hut. Most of the day’s hike will be through Kilimanjaro’s moorland, a rocky landscape with desert–like plants. Eat a picnic lunch at Kambi ya Taabu before continuing to Horombo Hut. If the weather is clear, enjoy beautiful views of Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. Arrive at Horombo Hut at around 3pm and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. Although extremely busy, the Horombo Huts are considered to be the nicest on Kilimanjaro. The small, A–frame buildings can accommodate up to eight people each and provide lodging for hikers ascending, descending and acclimatizing. Horombo can accommodate up to one hundred hikers and many more porters, cooks and guides.
- Elevation: 2700m to 3720m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 12 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Heath and Moorland
Elevation Gain: 1,030 meters, 3,380 feet Leave Horombo Hut after breakfast to hike through the moorland and alpine desert of Kilimanjaro’s upper altitudes. After hiking for about an hour arrive at Maua River, a small mountain stream. After Maua, the terrain becomes flatter and the vegetation begins to disappear. Break for lunch at Middle Red Hill. After lunch, continue on a steady incline for another two hours through Kilimanjaro’s Saddle. Although the environment on the way to Kibo is a bleak desert with little vegetation, you will see many stunning views of Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. Reach Kibo Hut around 3pm to rest and prepare for your midnight climb.
- Elevation: 3720m to 4720m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 10 km
- Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
- Habitat: Alpine Desert
Around midnight, awake for the final ascent to Uhuru Peak, the roof of Africa. The hike begins with a demanding five hours hike to Gillman’s Point on the crater rim. Although this is considered to be the easiest of the three crater ascent paths, it is still extremely difficult. The first major rest stop, William’s Point, lies at 5000 meters and is approximately a two hours hike Kibo Hut. Continue on for thirty minutes before beginning the rocky switchbacks that will continue to Gillman’s Point (5,681 meters)
- Elevation: 4720m to 5895m (ascent) and then down to 3700m (descent)
- Hiking Time: 10-15 hours
- Distance: 22 km (6 km ascent, 16 km descent)
- Difficulty: Very Difficult
- Habitat: Arctic (Summit Zone
After breakfast, finish the trek with a descent to Marangu Gate. Your last hike on Kilimanjaro is a beautiful one, passing through Kilimanjaro’s cloud forest. Watch your step during the descent, as the trail can be slippery. Kisambi Tours vehicles will be waiting at Marangu Gate to take you back to Moshi. You will be able to buy t–shirts and sodas at the gate.
- Elevation: 3720m to 1860m
- Hiking Time: 5-6 hours
- Distance: 20 km
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Habitat: Heath and Moorland, then Rainforest
Included/Exclude
- Kilimanjaro trekking according to the itinerary
- Professional, English-speaking guide
- Mountain crew (cook, summit porter& porters)
- Overnight stays in tents
- Camping equipment (tents, sleeping mats, tables, chairs, etc.)
- Meals according to the itinerary
- Drinking water, tea & coffee
- Oxygen tank and oximeters
- All national park fees
- Transfer from the hotel to the National Park gate and back
- International or Local Flights
- Optional activities
- Accommodation
- Passport and Visa fees
- Tip
- Personal spending money for souvenirs etc.
- Travel insurance
- Travel Documents (Yellow Fever Certificate etc.)
Related Tours
