Kilimanjaro Climb Marangu 5 Days:

Day 1: Start: Marangu Gate (1905m) Finish: Mandara Huts (2720m)

Total distance: 8.75km

Hiking Time (approx.): 3 hours

Marangu gate, the headquarters of Kilimanjaro National Park, lies a 45 minute drive from Moshi town. You will then set off along the path for a solid uphill walk to reach the Mandara Huts. Stop at Kisamboni for your picnic lunch before continuing on upwards, with the trail steepening as you pass through the forest. 

Day 2: Start: Mandara Huts (2720m) Finish: Horombo Huts (3720m)

Total distance: 12km

Hiking Time (approx.): 6-8 hours

After a short stretch of forest at the start of the day, you will be walking mostly through moorland – a landscape spotted with heather and lobelias, characteristic of this ecosystem. 

Day 3: Start: Horombo Huts (3720m) Finish: Kibo Huts (4715m) Total distance: 9km

Hiking Time (approx.): 4-6 hours

This day you will pass across the saddle, the rather barren stretch of alpine desert that separates Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. You’ll arrive here for a late lunch and then rest up in preparation for your summit.

Day 4: 

Summit Night: Kibo Huts (4715m) to Uhuru Peak (5895m) back to Kibo Huts Total distance: 6.25km

Hiking Time (approx.) 6 hours

Start: Kibo Huts (4715m) to Horombo Huts (7720m)

Total distance: 9km

Hiking Time (approx.): 3-4 hours

Depending on how you have fared with the altitude in the days before, you will be woken at 11pm-12am to start your ascent up to Uhuru Peak. Upon reaching Gillman’s point you will stop for a well-deserved rest. Continueyour descent down to Horombo Huts.

Day 5: Start: Horombo Huts (3720m) to Marangu Gate (1905m)

Total distance: 20.75km

Hiking time: 7-8 hours

A long last day, which will no doubt feel like a walk in the park after yesterday’s efforts. Make sure to enjoy this final day of the mountain… that beer will still be cold, and the shower still hot when you get down! Enjoy time monkey and bird-spotting in the forest before emerging out at Marangu Gate where you will sign out of the National Park.