Kilimanjaro - Marangu Route

Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 • UK - Marangu

  Your hike begins in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Marangu. Please make sure you are at the hotel by early evening, as your trip starts with a full briefing and kit inspection by an experienced Kilimanjaro climber.

• Day 2 • Mandara Hut

  After a hearty breakfast, make your way to Marangu Gate, the entrance of the Mt Kilimanjaro National Park and meet your guides and porters. With introductions and assignment of porter loads taken care of, it’s time to embark on your trek. Commonly known as the ‘Coca Cola’ route, the Marangu Route is the oldest track on Kilimanjaro. Look out for the resident wildlife and enjoy the vast landscape as you walk.

• Day 3 • Horombo Hut

  Your second day on the mountain involves another long hike over a slightly steeper stretch. The total distance from Mandara to the Horombo huts is 12 kilometres (approximately 5-7 hours). Today you will see the rainforest give way to open and rolling alpine meadows dotted with giant heather trees. During the walk you will traverse several ravines before reaching the hut, which is set in a rocky valley.

• Day 4 • Horombo Hut

  After breakfast, walk towards Mawenzi Hut, passing the unusual Zebra Rocks on the way. It’s a steep climb up a grassy slope, but well worth it. The views over the area towards Kibo are second to none. Afterwards, return to Horombo. Spend the afternoon relaxing and acclimatising to the altitude.

• Day 5 • Kibo Huts/Mawenzi Peak

  Today you’ll walk the 10 kilometres from Horombo to Kibo Hut (approximately 5-7 hours). As the journey progresses you will notice the landscape gradually becoming more rugged and rocky, and the air noticeably thinner. You will have to soften your pace a little to accommodate these environmental changes. Skirt Mawenzi Peak and marvel at the stark lunar landscape of the Saddle, reaching Kibo Hut in afternoon.

• Day 6 • Uhuru Peak/Horombo Hut

  Your guides will wake you up at 11 pm and hot tea will be served. Prepare for the last leg of the trek - to the summit. The distance from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak is six kilometres (approximately 6-8 hours), and the descent to Horombo will be approximately the same amount of time. The trek begins beneath the stars as you zigzag your way up a large scree slope, guided only by torch light, to reach Gilman’s Point. With some luck, arrive in time for breathtaking views of the sun rising behind Mawenzi Peak.

• Day 7-8 • Marangu - UK

  Continue your descent through alpine meadows and rainforest to the park gate. The distance from Horombo to Marangu Gate is 20 kilometres (approximately 5-6 hours). Here your transport awaits, and you will return to the hotel for a relaxing shower - a real treat after the physical exertions of the last few days! The next day you’ll transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport for your return journey home to the UK.