6-Day Marangu Route Kilimanjaro Trek

Transfer from the hotel to Marangu Gate (1860m) - Mandara Hut (2700m)

After an exquisite breakfast at your hotel and a comprehensive briefing by our seasoned guide, complete with a thorough equipment check for safety, you will embark on a drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park gate. Upon completion of check-in formalities, your journey through the lush rainforest will commence. You will have the chance to admire the vibrant vegetation and potentially glimpse black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, insects, plants, and a variety of bird species. After approximately 3-4 hours, you will arrive at the Mandara Hut, your destination for the day. Following a well-deserved break, you and your guide may venture to the Maundi Crater, a 15-minute trek, for a breathtaking view of Kilimanjaro and the surrounding regions of northern Tanzania and Kenya, weather permitting. Dinner and overnight will be at the Mandara Hut.

Mandara Hut (2700m) - Horombo Hut (3700m)

Expect to begin a day ahead of you with an early wonderful breakfast. Shortly after you have left Mandara Hut, you will reach the timberline and then enter the heath and moor zone. After a 5-6 hour hike, you will reach the Horombo Hut, which is located at 3700 meters. From the hut, you will have fantastic views overlooking Mawenzi, Kibo, and the wide plain of the Maasai steppe. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Horombo Hut (3700m) - Zebra Rocks (3980m) - Horombo Hut (3700m)

This day serves as an acclimatization day. The recommendation for today is not underestimated and will greatly improve your chances of success in reaching the summit. After a relaxed breakfast, your route will lead you to Zebra Rocks (3980m). The striking black-and-white stripes give the rock formation its name. On your return to Horombo Hut, a warm lunch will be waiting for you. In the afternoon, you can rest and gather your strength for the next day's hike. Dinner and overnight at the Horombo Hut.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Horombo Hut (3700m) - Kibo Hut (4700m)

As we approach the summit, the stages are expected to be long and tough but well manageable. The well-built trail passes the “Last Waterpoint” which is followed by the so-called “saddle”. This nearly vegetation-less plateau joins the main summit Kibo with Mawenzi. Today’s destination is the Kibo Hut, which is usually reached in about 5 - 6 hours.

Here you will enjoy an early evening meal followed by an early night as the night will be short.

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Kibo Hut (4700m) - Uhuru Peak (5895m) - Horombo Hut (3700m)

The day you have always dreamed of, as a mountain climber is here. We call it the day to summit. This is referred to as the great day - Summit day! We always begin at night because the lava ash is still frozen and so the ascent is easier. Your guide wakes you around 11 pm, and an hour later the long and strenuous way to the summit begins. Passing the Hans Meyer Cave at 5220m, the climb slowly but surely ascends. At sunrise, you will reach Gillman’s Point (5681m) – the crater rim of Kilimanjaro – where the sun will slowly start to warm up the land. You quickly forget the coldness of the night and will reach Uhuru Peak at 5895 meters after another 1-2 hours. Congratulations! You‘ve made it to the "Roof of Africa". Enjoy this moment. The route back down follows the same path; the lava ash will now have thawed, which allows for a fast descent. On your return to Kibo Hut, a warm meal awaits you and you can regain your strength. After a 1-2 hour rest, you will continue to Horombo Hut (3700m) where you will arrive in the afternoon. After an evening meal, most mountain conquerors understandably retire early to bed!

Breakfast; Lunch; Dinner

Horombo Hut (3700m) - Marangu Gate (1860m) – Transfer to the hotel

The final stage leads through heath and moorland to Mandara Hut (2700m), where a warm lunch will be waiting for you. Then you will once again pass through the tropical rainforest, and after a total time of 6 hours trekking, you will be back at the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (1860m). After leaving your mountain team, you will be transferred to your hotel. Here you can finally enjoy a hot and relaxing shower and celebrate your summit success.

Breakfast; Lunch