6 Days Mt. Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport you will be met by a Benson Safaris Tanzania Transfer Driver and transferred to your hotel where the remainder of the day is at leisure – rest in your room, relax in the manicured gardens, enjoy a refreshing swim in the pool or explore Arusha and the surrounding areas on one of our day tours, the choice is yours.

Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha

After breakfast you will depart Arusha and drive to Moshi, then on to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. The journey passes through the village of Marangu, which is located on the lower slopes of the mountain. Once you reach the park gate, all hikers are requested to sign in at the Park office and make their final preparations for the climb. Porters will be seen arranging and loading their packs, containing the food, water, cooking gas as well as most of your equipment. Make sure that you have all your daypack items as the porters ascend a lot quicker than you, the hikers.

You now leave the park gate and ascend on a cleared ridge trail through the rain forest. The forest, suffused with mist and dripping with beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro animalsarefound.

An alternative and more scenic parallel forest trail branches off to the left a few minutes after the gate. This trail follows the edge of a stream through the undergrowth and offers you the option to re-join the main trail either after 1.5 hours hiking, or 1 hour before Mandara Hut.

Your first night stop, Mandara hut, consisting of a group of wooden A-framed huts in a forest clearing. Each hut features 6-8 sleeping bunks with solar generated lighting. The total capacity of the camp is 60 climbers. Water is piped into the camp from springs above and there are flush toilets behind the main hut.

Starting Point: Marangu Gate 1,860m

End Point: Mandara Hut 2,715m

Walking Time: 5-7 Hours approx. (11km)

Overnight – Mandara Hut

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirts the base on the Maundi Crater and then emerges into a transition from rainforest to moorland. It is well worth the short detour to hike up the rim of the Maundi Crater for your first really impressive view of the Kibo Crater. On a clear day, Kibo will glimmer in the distance, showing off her magistic glaciers in the morning sun. 

Once you are in the open moorland you will get the change to see some of Kilimanjaro’smost spectacular plants including the endemic giant lobelia which grows up the 3m in height. After about 6-hours trek from here you will reach the Horombo Hut. 

Starting Point: Mandara Hut 2,715m

End Point: Horombo Hut 3,705m

Walking Time: 5-6 Hours approx. (10km)

Overnight – Horombo Hut

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

After breakfast you will go on an acclimatization hike towards Kibo Hut and back. After lunch you have the opportunity to walk around the surrounding area, take pictures of Mawenzi Volcano or just sleep before the upcoming trekking to Kibo Hut.

Overnight – Horombo Hut

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Horombo hut 3,705m – Kibo hut 4,730m

Horombo Hut is usually bustling with hikers, guides, porters and chefs with an atmosphere of adventure and excitement. You will meet both ascending and descending hikers here. 

This day is to aide your acclimatization and will contribute toward your successful summit. A hike towards Mawenzi Hut, passing the Zebra Rocks is around 3 hours up and 1.5 hours down and is highly recommended. This hike will further assist with the acclimatization process. 

Starting Point: Horombo Hut 3,705m

End Point: Kibo Hut 4,730m

Walking Time: 4-8 Hours approx. (10km)

Overnight –Horombo Hut

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Today you will continue your ascent into the Alpine desert habitat. From here there are 2-trails to the “Saddle”. There is an upper route and a lower route to choose from. You will be familiar with the upper route as you will have climbed most of it the previous day, you’re your acclimatization hike towards Mawenzi Hut. This section is very stoney and eroded. The recommended lower route is much easier and almost an hour shorter and also passes the last watering point at 4,130m. 

Situated in the barren Alpine desert is Kibo Hut. The summit is now 1,195m up and you will descend tonight. Prepare your equipment; replace your headlamp and camera batteries. , have your thermal clothing ready and water in a hot flask to avoid it freezing over.

We recommend an early night and try to get as much rest and sleep as possible. 

You will rise at around 11:30pm and after some chai (tea) and biscuits you will make your way into the night.

Starting Point: Uhuru Peak 4,730m

End Point: Horombo Hut -5,895m – Kibo Hut- 3,720m

Walking Time: 9 -12 Hours approx. (16km)

Overnight – Kibo Hut

Meals – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

The first section of the trail consists of a rocky path to the Hans Meyer Cave (5,150m) and is a good reseting spot. The path then zigzags up to Gillman’s Point (5,681m) which is located in the crater rim. This section is very steep with lots of stone scree requiring great physical and mental effort. This is probably the most demanding section on the entire route. Pole Pole– slowly slowly.

From Gillman’s Point you will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5,895m). This is the Roof of Africa!

After a 3-hour descent you will arrive at Kibo Hut. After a short rest you will gather all your gear and head down (6 hours) passing the Mandara Hut, down to the Marangu Gate. At the gate you will sign your name in the register and this is where successful climbers receive their summit certificate – Green Certificates for Gillman’s Point (5,685m) and Gold Certificates for Uhuru Peak (5,895m). 

You will be met at the gate and driven back to Arusha where you can enjoy some much needed rest.

Starting Point: Kibo Hut 3,705m

End Point: Marangu Gate 1,860m

Walking Time: 5-6 Hours approx. (18km)

Overnight – Ilboru Safari Lodge, Arusha

Meals – Breakfast and Dinner

Today you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Congratulations – you have conquered the “Roof of Africa” and summited Africa’s highest free standing mountain!