5 Days Marangu Route

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), you will be met by our guide and transferred to your hotel in Arusha.

Once settled, you will have a detailed briefing, including a review of your packing list and a full introduction to your upcoming Kilimanjaro trek, ensuring you are well prepared for the adventure ahead.

Early in the morning after breakfast, you will depart from Arusha for Kilimanjaro National Park. The journey takes you to Marangu Gate, located on the edge of Marangu Village, an area known for its charming coffee and banana plantations.

After completing park entrance formalities, you will begin your ascent through lush, unspoiled montane forest. The trail gradually leads to a scenic clearing where Mandara Hut is located, marking the end of the day’s trek.

You will climb steadily through the moorland zone, characterized by giant heather and occasional stands of groundsel, gradually making your way to Horombo Hut.

This area offers breathtaking scenery, with sunrises and sunsets often proving especially spectacular. Situated near the glaciated dome of Kibo, Horombo Hut provides a powerful sense of being above the clouds, creating a truly memorable mountain experience.

The climb continues very gradually toward the stark, lunar-like landscape of the Saddle, stretching between Mount Mawenzi and Kibo. As you gain altitude, the terrain transforms into scree, and the surroundings take on a remote, high-altitude wilderness feel.

By around midday, you will arrive at Kibo Hut, situated at the base of the crater wall. The afternoon is free to rest, relax, and mentally prepare for the summit ascent ahead. The remainder of the day is dedicated to eating well and conserving energy before an early night, ensuring you are fully prepared for the final climb to the summit.

We begin the summit ascent by torchlight at around 1:00 a.m., aiming to reach Gillman’s Point by sunrise. The initial section of the climb is steep and follows loose volcanic scree, but a series of well-graded zigzags allows for a slow, steady pace. After approximately five to six hours, we reach Gillman’s Point at 5,685 meters.

Here, we take time to rest and soak in the breathtaking sunrise over the crater. Climbers who are feeling strong and well acclimatized may then continue along the crater rim on a three-hour round trip to Uhuru Peak (5,896 meters), the highest point in Africa. Along the way, you will pass close to the dramatic glaciers that still crown much of the summit area, creating a truly unforgettable finale to the climb.