7 days Marangu Route

Your Kilimanjaro adventure begins with a warm Tanzanian welcome at KIA/JRO. Our driver transfers you to your Moshi hotel. After settling in, you’ll meet your mountain guide for a detailed briefing and gear check to ensure everything is in place for your Northern Circuit climb. Missing equipment can be rented. The evening is yours to rest, acclimatize, and enjoy views of the world’s tallest freestanding mountain your challenge begins tomorrow.

In the morning, we will pick you up from your hotel in Moshi and drive about 45 minutes through the village of Marangu to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate. Here, you’ll wait while your permits are processed and watch the lively preparations as climbing crews organize their gear for the trek ahead. The hike begins through lush rainforest, along winding trails filled with rich greenery. Your guide will share insights about the local plants, wildlife, and unique ecosystem of the mountain. At these lower elevations, the path can be muddy and slippery, so gaiters and trekking poles are strongly recommended for added stability. Distance: 7 km / 4–5 miles Hiking Time: 4–5 hours Habitat: Rainforest Elevation: 1,830 m / 6,000 ft to 2,740 m / 9,000 ft

After a restful night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, you’ll leave the lush rainforest behind and follow a steadily ascending trail into the heath and moorland zones. Along the way, keep an eye out for towering giant lobelias and groundsels that dot the landscape. As you climb higher, the terrain opens into expansive moorlands where low shrubs become the dominant vegetation. You’ll pause midway for lunch while taking in impressive views of Mawenzi Peak. In the afternoon, you’ll reach the Horombo Huts, set beneath the striking summit slopes of Kibo Peak. At this elevation, temperatures begin to cool noticeably as you settle in for the evening.

After breakfast, you’ll set out across the fading heathland as the landscape gradually transforms into a stark, lunar-like terrain. The trail leads into the wide saddle that stretches between Mawenzi Peak and Kibo Peak. You’ll stop along the way for lunch and have time to take in the vast, open surroundings. As you cross this surprisingly expansive saddle, you’ll get a clear view of Kibo’s summit slopes—the very route you’ll begin climbing later that night. Distance: 10 km / 6 miles Hiking Time: 6–8 hours Habitat: Semi-desert Elevation: 3,690 m / 12,100 ft to 4,695 m / 15,400 ft

Your summit day begins in the quiet hours of the night, with an early departure between midnight and 2:00 a.m. This stretch is the most demanding part of the entire trek, both mentally and physically. Climbing by headlamp, you’ll follow a series of steady switchbacks, focusing on keeping warm and maintaining a slow, consistent pace as you make your way upward. The path leads across loose scree and, at times, snow as you approach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim. Those moving at a quicker pace may catch a stunning sunrise along the way. From there, it’s about another hour along the rim to Uhuru Peak, often with snowy conditions underfoot. Reaching Uhuru Peak marks an unforgettable achievement—you’ll be standing on the highest point of Mount Kilimanjaro and all of Africa. After celebrating, taking photos, and soaking in the moment, you’ll begin your descent. The trail drops back to Kibo Hut for lunch and a short rest before continuing down to Horombo Huts, where you can finally relax after a long and rewarding day.

After breakfast, you’ll gather with your crew for a heartfelt appreciation and farewell ceremony—a special moment to thank the guides, cooks, and porters who supported you throughout the climb. From there, you’ll continue your descent, stopping at the Mandara Huts for lunch. This is also where you’ll say your final goodbyes, so remember to tip your mountain team. The trail continues down to the Marangu Gate, where you’ll receive your summit certificates. As you lose elevation, temperatures rise and the path can become wet, muddy, and steep, so gaiters and trekking poles are strongly recommended for stability. At the gate, a vehicle will be waiting to take you back to your hotel in Moshi (about a 45-minute drive). Once there, you can look forward to a well-deserved hot shower, a hearty meal, and a celebratory evening.

After a hearty breakfast, your transfer will be arranged according to your flight schedule for the drive to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departure. As you travel onward, take with you the unforgettable memories of your summit, the diverse landscapes you explored.