Mount Kilimanjaro Climb, Marangu Route 6 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. 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 You’ll stop for a picnic lunch along the way before reaching the Horombo Huts. 

Day 3: Horombo Huts – Zebra Rocks (4050m) – Mawenzi Huts (4535m) – Horombo Huts

Hiking time (approx.): 4-5 hours

Not only does this extra day provide you with extra acclimatisation but you will get to a spectacular viewpoint, seldom seen by others on the mountain. Leave Horombo huts following a leisurely breakfast to head up to Zebra rocks.

Day 4: 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 5:

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. 

Day 6: 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.