7 Days Marangu Route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to Keys Hotel in Moshi.

Keys Hotel is a family-run hotel located on the lower slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, approximately a 10-minute walk from Moshi town center. The hotel offers comfortable accommodation, friendly service, a clean swimming pool, and a variety of meals. It is an ideal place to relax and prepare for the climb.

In the evening, your guide will provide a full briefing about the trek and check your mountain equipment.

Accommodation: Keys Hotel

Altitude: 820 m / 2,700 ft

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (BB)

Distance: 8 km / 5 miles

Hiking Time: 3–4 hours

Altitude Gain: 857 m / 2,814 ft

Habitat: Rainforest

After breakfast, you will be transferred to Marangu Gate, where registration with Kilimanjaro National Park authorities will be completed.

Lunch boxes will be provided at the hotel in the morning. Climbers will carry their own lunch boxes in their backpacks and enjoy lunch at a suitable halfway point on the trail.

The trek begins through lush rainforest with dense vegetation. The trail can be muddy, especially after rainfall. Your guides will set a slow and steady pace, allowing time for acclimatization, rest, hydration, photography, and appreciation of the natural surroundings.

After approximately 3–4 hours of hiking, you will arrive at Mandara Hut (2,700 m). In the afternoon, there is an optional short walk to Maundi Crater, offering beautiful views of Kenya and the surrounding forest. This can be discussed with your guide.

Accommodation is in shared dormitory-style huts. Shower facilities are available at Mandara and Horombo Huts. Flush toilets are available up to Horombo Hut, while Kibo Hut has basic long-drop toilets. Warm water for washing can be provided on request.

*Dinner and Overnight: Mandara Hut

Meal Plan: Full Board (FB*

Distance: 12 km / 7.5 miles

Hiking Time: 5–7 hours

Altitude Gain: 1,020 m / 3,345 ft

Habitat: Rainforest → Heath & Moorland

After breakfast, the trek continues toward Horombo Hut. The day begins with a short, sometimes steep and damp climb through the upper rainforest. After about 20–30 minutes, the vegetation gradually changes as the forest gives way to open heathland.

The trail passes through giant heather and tall tussock grass, with increasing views of Mawenzi Peak. As altitude is gained, the landscape becomes more open, featuring everlasting flowers, lobelias, and groundsels in wetter areas.

Your guides will set a slow and steady pace to support acclimatization. A hot lunch will be served on the way, allowing time to rest and regain energy before continuing the climb.

After approximately 5–7 hours of hiking, you will arrive at Horombo Hut (3,720 m), where the views of both Mawenzi and Kibo are often spectacular.

Dinner and Overnight: Horombo Hut

Meal Plan: Full Board (FB)

Distance: 9.5 km / 5.9 miles

Hiking Time: 5–7 hours

Altitude Gain: 980 m / 3,215 ft

Habitat: Alpine Desert

After breakfast, the trek continues across the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo Peaks. The trail gradually ascends through a vast alpine desert landscape with little vegetation.

Your guides will maintain a slow, steady pace to help your body adjust to the increasing altitude. A hot lunch will be served on the way, giving time to rest and hydrate before the final approach to Kibo Hut.

The last few kilometers to Kibo Hut (4,700 m) can feel challenging due to altitude and the barren terrain, which often feels lunar in appearance. From the hut, the views of Mawenzi Peak are especially striking.

Upon arrival, you will rest, have an early dinner, and prepare for the summit attempt, which begins later that night.

Dinner and Overnight: Kibo Hut

Meal Plan: Full Board (FB)

Ascent Distance: 6 km / 3.7 miles

Descent Distance: 15 km / 9.3 miles

Ascent Time: 5–7 hours

Descent Time: 5–6 hours

Total Hiking Time: 10–14 hours

Altitude Gain:

Gilman’s Point (5,681 m / 18,638 ft): +981 m / 3,218 ft

Uhuru Peak (5,895 m / 19,341 ft): +1,195 m / 3,921 ft

Total Descent: 2,175 m / 7,136 ft

You will wake around midnight for a light snack and something warm to drink before beginning the summit attempt. The climb starts in darkness, guided by headlamps forming a long line of lights rising toward the crater rim.

The ascent to Gilman’s Point is a slow, steady, and demanding walk on volcanic scree. Your guides will set the pace carefully, with regular rest stops. A thermos with hot water, tea, and ginger will be served along the way to help keep you warm and hydrated.

As you approach the crater rim, you will experience a breathtaking sunrise over Africa, often one of the most memorable moments of the entire climb.

From Gilman’s Point, the trail continues gently along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa. This final section takes approximately 1–1.5 hours. At the summit, take time for photos at the iconic summit sign before beginning your descent.

Descending back toward Gilman’s Point is often enjoyable, with controlled sliding on the loose scree. With each step down, breathing becomes easier as oxygen levels increase.

Upon returning to Kibo Hut, you will be welcomed with a glass of fresh juice to congratulate you on your summit attempt. After a short rest, a hot lunch will be served before continuing the descent to Horombo Hut.

For your safety, guides carry oxygen cylinders and a full first-aid kit throughout the summit attempt.

Dinner and Overnight: Horombo Hut

Meal Plan: Full Board (FB)

Distance: 20 km / 12.5 miles

Hiking Time: 5–6 hours

Descent: 1,877 m / 6,159 ft

Habitat: Heath & Moorland → Rainforest

After breakfast, you will begin the final descent through moorland and lush rainforest to Marangu Gate. The trail passes through giant trees covered with old man’s beard (tree moss) and towering ferns, with stone steps leading steadily downhill.

Your guides will maintain a comfortable pace, allowing time to enjoy the scenery and reflect on the achievement.

At Marangu Gate, you will complete park formalities and receive your summit certificates. A vehicle will then transfer you back to Keys Hotel in Moshi for a hot shower, relaxation, and overnight rest.

Accommodation: Keys Hotel

Meal Plan: Bed & Breakfast (BB)

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