5 Day Mount Kilimanjaro Climb – Marangu Route

Route: Marangu Gate (1,879 m) → Mandara Hut (2,720 m)

Depart Moshi for the drive to Marangu Gate, where your Kilimanjaro adventure begins. After completing park registration and meeting the mountain crew, start your trek through the lush montane rainforest. Along the way, your guide introduces you to the unique plants, birds and wildlife of Kilimanjaro’s lower slopes.

The trail gradually climbs through dense forest before reaching Mandara Hut, a collection of traditional A-frame mountain huts surrounded by beautiful vegetation.

Hiking Distance: 7 km
Hiking Time: 3–4 hours
Elevation Gain: 841 m
Highest Altitude: 2,720 m

Route: Mandara Hut (2,720 m) → Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
After breakfast, leave the rainforest behind and enter Kilimanjaro’s heath and moorland zone. The vegetation becomes increasingly open, with giant lobelias, groundsels and mountain shrubs appearing along the trail.

Stop for lunch with views towards Mawenzi before continuing uphill to Horombo Hut. On a clear afternoon, the surroundings offer impressive views of both Mawenzi and the snow-capped Kibo summit.

Hiking Distance: 11 km
Hiking Time: 6–7 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,000 m
Highest Altitude: 3,720 m

Route: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) → Kibo Hut (4,720 m)
Today’s climb takes you into Kilimanjaro’s stark alpine desert. After passing the Last Water Point, continue across The Saddle, the broad, high-altitude plateau stretching between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo.

The increasingly barren landscape creates a dramatic setting as you approach Kibo Hut. Arrive in the afternoon, enjoy an early meal and rest in preparation for the midnight summit attempt.

Hiking Distance: 9.5 km
Hiking Time: 5–6 hours
Elevation Gain: 1,000 m
Highest Altitude: 4,720 m

Route: Kibo Hut (4,720 m) → Gilman’s Point (5,681 m) → Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) → Horombo Hut (3,720 m)
This is the defining day of your Kilimanjaro adventure. Around midnight, begin the challenging ascent towards the summit, climbing steadily through the darkness and passing Hans Meyer Cave at approximately 5,220 metres.

Reach Gilman’s Point at 5,681 metres around sunrise before continuing along the crater rim towards Uhuru Peak at 5,895 metres — the highest point in Africa.

After celebrating your achievement and taking in the extraordinary summit views, begin the descent to Kibo Hut for a short rest and meal. Continue down the mountain to Horombo Hut for a well-earned overnight rest.

Total Distance: 22 km
Hiking Time: 12–15 hours
Highest Altitude: 5,895 m

Route: Horombo Hut (3,720 m) → Marangu Gate (1,879 m) → Moshi
Enjoy your final descent through Kilimanjaro’s changing landscapes, moving from the open moorlands back into the lush tropical rainforest.

At Marangu Gate, complete the park formalities and collect your summit certificate before meeting your driver for the transfer back to your hotel in Moshi.

Hiking Distance: 19.5 km
Hiking Time: Approximately 8 hours
Final Altitude: 1,879 m