Marangu Route
• Day 1: July 8, 2025
Arrival Day
Arrive at Kilimanjaro International Airport and meet our transfer crew to travel to the Chanya Lodge in Moshi and meet with your climbing manager and your main guide. During this meeting you will also have a briefing on what to expect on Day 1 of your trek and go over equipment in preparation for the big day! You will then retire to you hotel room after dinner (not included) to get a full night's rest.
• DAY 2: July 9, 2025
Trekking Day 1: Moshi to Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut
6, 000 ft to 9, 200 ft Altitude Gain - Hiking Time: 4- 5 hours, 5 miles
After arriving and registering at the Kilimanjaro National Park, Marangu gate you will take your first step toward the "Rooftop of Africa". You will be hiking through the rain forest zone of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This zone is dense and damp and it is home to many different bird and animal species. Keep your eye out for black and white Colobus monkeys, who live in the treetops on your way to the first camp, the Mandara Hut.
• DAY 3: July 10, 2025
Trekking Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut
8, 858 ft to 12, 205 ft Altitude Gain - Hiking Time: 6-8 hours, 7 miles
Today the hike will take you out of the rain forest and into the heath and moorland zone of Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here you will have magnificent views of the scrubby shrubs, giant heathers and tussok grasses. As you ascend, you will feel the average temperatures start to drop. Although, very few animals live here, it is possible to see small antelope and an occasional rabbit and eland. Small rodents also appear out of their homes carved in the volcanic rock. Tonite you will have dinner and sleep at Horombo Hut.
• Day 4: July 11, 2025
Trekking Day 3: ACCLIMATIZATION DAY AT HOROMBO HUTS
12, 205 ft to 14, 400 ft Altitude Gain - Hiking Time: 2- 3 hours, 3 miles
Day 3 is for acclimatization. Your guide will take you on a hike to help you acclimatize to the higher altitude, to Zebra Rock and the base of Mawenzi Peak. The rest of the day will be spent at camp resting. You will spend this night again at Horombo Hut.
• DAY 5: July 12, 2025
Trekking Day 4: HOROMBO HUTS- KIBO HUTS
12, 205 ft to 15, 430 ft Altitude Gain - Hiking Time: 6- 8 hours, 6 miles
On day 4, you will be entering the highland alpine desert zone of Mt. Kilimanjaro. This zone is a barren high altitude desert that crosses the saddle that connects Kibo Peak to Mawenzi Peak, sometimes called the Twin Peaks. After reaching Kibo camp you will be eating an early dinner and then resting in preparation for summit day.
• DAY 6: July 13, 2025
Trekking Day 5: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak Summit to Horombo Hut
15, 430 ft to 19, 341 ft altitude gain - Hike time: 6- 8 hours ascent, 4- 6 hours descent. (Total hike time 10- 14 hours)
This will be your longest day.
Day 5 of your Kilimanjaro trek is the day you will make your final ascent up to Uhuru Peak! You will be awaked around 11:30pm to start your hike just after midnight. This is the hardest part of your adventure, both physically and mentally, but your reward will be experiencing the most incredible sunrise you will ever see!
After you summit the highest peak in Africa (That's a BIG deal!), you will be making the trek back down to Kibo Hut base camp for breakfast and rest and then continuing on back to Horombo Hut where you will settle after lunch for a nice long rest!
• DAY 7: July 14, 2025
Trekking Day 6: Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate to Moshi
12, 205 ft to 6, 064 ft. - Hiking time: 5- 7 hours. 12 miles.
Your last day on the mountain will start after breakfast, as you head back down to the moorland to Mandara Hut for lunch and then back through the rain forest to arrive at the Marangu Gate. Your guide will help you register your climb at the visitor's center and our driver will meet you to take you back to the Chanya Lodge for a hot shower, celebration of your accomplishment, certificate ceremony and the memorable tipping ceremony, where you can show your appreciation to your Kilimanjaro Crew! Now you can enjoy a good night's rest after this huge accomplishment.
• Day 8: July 15, 2025
Departure Day
If your time in Tanzania ends today, our team will make sure you are transferred to the Kilimanjaro International Airport for your departing flight. If you have booked and extended stay for one of our safaris or a day trip, we will be there to assist you in the next steps for your extended stay.
Hakuna Matata!!