7-Days Kilimanjaro Hiking Safari – Marangu Route

Your adventure begins with a warm welcome at Kilimanjaro International Airport. You’ll be met by your mountain team and transferred to your hotel in Moshi or Arusha. Here you’ll meet your head guide for a full pre-climb briefing and gear check to ensure you are fully prepared for the ascent.

Overnight: Chanya Lodge 

Meals: Dinner

After an early breakfast, you’ll drive to Marangu Gate for registration and briefing with Kilimanjaro National Park authorities. Your trek begins through lush montane rainforest, where you’ll hear birdsong echoing through the trees and might spot blue monkeys and colobus monkeys along the trail.

After approximately 4–5 hours of gentle ascent, you’ll arrive at Mandara Hut. In the evening, you can explore the nearby Maundi Crater for stunning views of Northern Tanzania and Kenya.

Trekking time: 4–5 hours

Overnight: Mandara Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

The trail continues through the rainforest and soon transitions into heath and moorland. On clear days, you’ll get your first glimpse of the majestic Kibo and Mawenzi peaks. The trek is moderate but steady, allowing you to adjust to the increasing altitude.

After about 6 hours, you’ll arrive at Horombo Hut, where you can rest and enjoy panoramic mountain views.

Trekking time: 5–7 hours 

Overnight: Horombo Hut 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

This is a crucial acclimatization day to help your body adjust to the altitude and increase your chances of reaching the summit successfully. You’ll take a short hike towards Mawenzi Ridge (approximately 3–4 hours round trip), which offers spectacular views and helps your body adapt to the thinner air.

You’ll return to Horombo Hut for lunch and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing and preparing for the ascent to Kibo.

Trekking time: 3–4 hours (optional hike) 

Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you’ll trek through the alpine desert zone, a stark but beautiful landscape between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. The trail is gradual, giving you time to conserve energy for the summit push. You’ll pass the Last Water Point and the famous Saddle, a wide, flat plain that leads to the base of Kibo.

You’ll reach Kibo Hut in the afternoon. After an early dinner, get some rest, summit night begins just before midnight.

Trekking time: 5–6 hours 

Overnight: Kibo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Your summit attempt begins around midnight. Equipped with headlamps, warm layers, and determination, you’ll slowly ascend the steep scree to Gilman’s Point (5,681m) on the crater rim. From here, the trail continues to Uhuru Peak (5,895m) the highest point in Africa.

Arriving at the summit at sunrise is a moment of pure magic, golden light over glaciers and endless clouds below. After celebrations and photos, you’ll descend to Kibo Hut for a short rest and then continue down to Horombo Hut.

Trekking time: 12–14 hours (up and down) 

Overnight: Horombo Hut
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Today you’ll descend through the moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, where your summit certificates will be waiting for you, a symbol of your Kilimanjaro triumph 🏅.

Your driver will be ready to transfer you back to Arusha for a well-deserved rest, a hot shower, and a celebration dinner.

Trekking time: 5–7 hours
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner 

Overnight: Planet Lodge Arusha