The Marangu Route 5 & 6 days

Day 1: Arrival and Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

• Elevation: 1,870 m (6,135 ft) to 2,700 m (8,858 ft)
• Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
• Duration: 4-5 hours

Arrive at Marangu Gate for registration and meet your guides and porters. Start the trek through lush rainforests, encountering various wildlife and plants. Reach Mandara Hut in the afternoon, where you’ll spend the night.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 2,700 m (8,858 ft) to 3,700 m (12,139 ft)
• Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)
• Duration: 6-8 hours

This is a longer day, and you will trek through the rainforest zone and then enter the moorland zone. You will pass scenic views and arrive at Horombo Hut, where you can rest and acclimatize.

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

• Elevation: 3,700 m (12,139 ft) to 4,700 m (15,420 ft)
• Distance: 10 km (6.2 miles)
• Duration: 5-6 hours

The day will take you into alpine desert terrain, where the landscape starts to change dramatically. It’s important to drink plenty of water and pace yourself as you approach the higher altitudes. Kibo Hut is where you’ll rest before the summit attempt.

Day 4: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak and down to Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 4,700 m (15,420 ft) to 5,895 m (19,341 ft) to 3,700 m (12,139 ft)
• Distance: 6 km (3.7 miles) to summit and 15 km (9.3 miles) down to Horombo Hut
• Duration: 12-14 hours (Summit Day)

Wake up at midnight for a summit attempt. This will be the most physically demanding part of the climb. The trek to the summit involves a steep climb to the crater rim and finally to Uhuru Peak. After reaching the peak and celebrating, you’ll descend back to Horombo Hut.

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

• Elevation: 3,700 m (12,139 ft) to 1,870 m (6,135 ft)
• Distance: 20 km (12.4 miles)
• Duration: 5-6 hours

This is your final day of descent. You’ll descend through the moorland and rainforest back to Marangu Gate, where your trek ends. Once at the gate, you’ll receive your certificate of completion.

This itinerary offers a balanced approach, allowing for good acclimatization while enjoying the scenery.

Day 1: Arrival and Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

• Elevation: 1,870 m (6,135 ft) to 2,700 m (8,858 ft)
• Distance: ~8 km (5 miles)
• Duration: 4–5 hours

Hit the ground running at Marangu Gate, your launchpad to Kilimanjaro glory! After a quick check-in with your Discount Treks crew, you’ll dive into the lush rainforest, buzzing with wildlife and dripping with green vibes. The 4-5 hour trek to Mandara Hut at 2,700 meters is a gentle warm-up—think towering trees, monkey chatter, and a cozy hut waiting to welcome you for your first mountain night.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 2,700 m (8,858 ft) to 3,720 m (12,205 ft)
• Distance: ~12 km (7.5 miles)
• Duration: 6–8 hours

Day two turns up the heat as you trek from Mandara Hut through the fading forest into the heather-clad moorland zone. This 6-8 hour haul dishes out sweeping views of Kilimanjaro’s slopes, with the air getting crisper as you climb. You’ll roll into Horombo Hut at 3,720 meters, a perfect perch to rest, refuel, and let the mountain magic sink in.

Day 3: Horombo Hut – Acclimatization Day

• Elevation: 3,720 m (12,205 ft) – no significant change
• Distance: Optional hike (~4-6 km / 2.5-3.7 miles round trip)
• Duration: Rest day, optional 2–3 hours trekking

Take a beat at Horombo Hut—this acclimatization day is your summit superpower! Kick back at 3,720 meters, soaking in the views, or tag along with me for an optional jaunt to Zebra Rocks or Mawenzi Hut. It’s a chill 2-3 hour stretch to keep your legs loose and your lungs ready, setting you up to crush the climb ahead.

Day 4: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

• Elevation: 3,720 m (12,205 ft) to 4,703 m (15,430 ft)
• Distance: ~10 km (6.2 miles)
• Duration: 5–7 hours

Strap in for a wild shift as you leave Horombo Hut and trek into the stark alpine desert, where the landscape morphs into a rocky moonscape. This 5-7 hour push to Kibo Hut at 4,703 meters feels like stepping into another world, with the summit teasing you in the distance. Crash early at the hut—tomorrow’s the big one, and you’ll need all the juice you can muster.

Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

• Elevation: 4,703 m (15,430 ft) to 5,895 m (19,341 ft) to 3,720 m (12,205 ft)
• Distance: ~6 km (3.7 miles) to summit, ~15 km (9.3 miles) down to Horombo Hut
• Duration: 12–15 hours (6–8 hours ascent, 6–7 hours descent)

It’s summit showdown time! Kick off at midnight from Kibo Hut, grinding up steep scree in the dark for 6-8 hours to hit Uhuru Peak at 5,895 meters—Africa’s rooftop—just as the sun cracks the sky. After epic pics and a victory yell, descend back to Kibo for a quick breather, then keep dropping to Horombo Hut at 3,720 meters. This 12-15 hour epic’s a beast, but the high is unbeatable!

Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

• Elevation: 3,720 m (12,205 ft) to 1,870 m (6,135 ft)
• Distance: ~20 km (12.4 miles)
• Duration: 5–7 hours

Your final day’s a victory march, descending from Horombo Hut through moorland and back into the rainforest’s green embrace. The 5-7 hour trek to Marangu Gate at 1,870 meters is a sweet cooldown—time to swap summit stories and feel the pride sink in. Grab your certificate at the gate, hop a ride back to Moshi, and get ready to brag—you’ve just conquered Kilimanjaro, Marangu-style!