Marangu Route — 5 Days

The quickest way to Uhuru Peak, sleeping in mountain huts instead of tents.

5 days Challenging Kilimanjaro National Park From $1,650 per person

Marangu Route — 5 Days · 5 days

Package Overview

The five-day Marangu climb is the shortest standard itinerary on Kilimanjaro and the only one with hut accommodation the whole way, which makes it popular with climbers who would rather not camp. The gentle gradient and well-kept trail suit first-time trekkers, but the pace leaves little time to acclimatize, so it works best for fit hikers with some altitude experience. If you can spare one more day, our six-day Marangu adds an acclimatization day at Horombo and noticeably improves your chances at the top.

Highlights

Huts with bunks instead of tents
Short side walk to Maundi Crater on day one
Views of Mawenzi across the alpine saddle
Sunrise on the crater rim at Gilman's Point and Uhuru Peak

Route map

Day 1 Mandara Hut → Day 2 Horombo Hut → Day 3 Kibo Hut → Day 4 Horombo Hut → Day 5 Marangu Gate

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 • Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

Mandara Hut

After registering at Marangu Gate (1,860 m), walk through montane rainforest, often with blue monkeys in the canopy, to Mandara Hut (2,720 m).

Activity · Maundi Crater walk

A short afternoon walk to the rim of Maundi Crater for the first wide views over the plains and towards Kenya.

Day 1 Accommodation, Mandara Hut Meal Plan: Full board

Day 2 • Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

The forest gives way to giant heather and moorland as you climb to Horombo Hut (3,720 m), with Kibo and the jagged Mawenzi peak ahead.

Day 2 Accommodation, Horombo Hut Meal Plan: Full board

Day 3 • Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Cross the wide alpine desert of the saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo to Kibo Hut (4,720 m) at the foot of the summit cone.

Note: Early dinner and lights-out: the summit push begins around midnight.

Day 3 Accommodation, Kibo Hut Meal Plan: Full board

Day 4 • Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak, descend to Horombo Hut

Uhuru Peak, sunrise

A midnight start up the scree to Gilman's Point on the crater rim, then around to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) for sunrise, before the long descent back to Horombo Hut.

Day 4 Accommodation, Horombo Hut Meal Plan: Full board

Day 5 • Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

Descend through moorland and forest to Marangu Gate (1,860 m), where your summit certificates are handed out before the drive back to your hotel.