Kilimanjaro Marangu Route — 5-Day Classic Summit Trek

After a briefing and kit check at your hotel in Moshi, drive to Marangu Gate (1,860 m) to register with Kilimanjaro National Park and meet your mountain crew.

The path climbs gently through dense montane rainforest of tall trees, ferns and moss, where you may see black-and-white colobus and blue monkeys and hear turacos in the canopy. Your guide sets a slow pace — "pole pole" — to help your body begin adjusting to the altitude.

Distance about 8 km, walking time 4–5 hours. Overnight in the A-frame huts at Mandara.

Overnight: Mandara Hut (Full Board)

Leave the forest behind and climb into the heath and moorland zone, where giant heathers, groundsels and lobelias grow among open grassland. On a short detour you can look into Maundi Crater, with views over the lowlands towards Kenya.

As you climb, the jagged peak of Mawenzi and the snow-capped dome of Kibo come into view. Horombo Hut sits on a ridge above the clouds, with sunsets that often light up both summits.

Distance about 12 km, walking time 6–7 hours.

Overnight: Horombo Hut (Full Board)

Continue upwards past the last water point and onto the Saddle, the wide alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo. The landscape is stark and beautiful, with few plants able to survive the cold nights and strong sun.

Arrive at Kibo Hut in the early afternoon. Your guides check your health, help you prepare your summit gear, and serve an early dinner so you can rest for a few hours before the summit attempt.

Distance about 10 km, walking time 6–7 hours.

Overnight: Kibo Hut (Full Board)

Wake around 11 pm for tea and biscuits and begin the summit climb by headtorch. The steep scree path zigzags up to Hans Meyer Cave and then to Gilman's Point (5,681 m) on the crater rim, usually reached around dawn.

From Gilman's Point, a further one to two hours along the rim brings you to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m), the highest point in Africa, with views over the crater, glaciers and the plains far below.

After photographs, descend to Kibo Hut for a rest and a meal, then continue down to Horombo Hut. It is a long and demanding day of 12–16 hours in total.

Overnight: Horombo Hut (Full Board)

Descend through the moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, where you sign out of the national park and receive your summit certificate. Tipping and farewells to your crew usually take place here.

Distance about 20 km, walking time 5–6 hours. Transfer to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha for a hot shower and a celebration dinner.

End of trek.