Kilimanjaro: Marangu Route

Reiseverlauf 2026

1. Tag 1

   Marangu

   <
   Jambo! Welcome to Tanzania. Your hike begins in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Marangu. The hotel is a short walk from the village’s bustling market and some excellent coffee shops. It is also very close to some beautiful waterfalls and ancient Chagga caves. 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. This will take place before dinner, usually around 6 pm. In the event that one of your fellow travellers is late, the meeting may have to be rescheduled for the following morning.
   This trip visits places that are at high altitude, and as a result some people can suffer from altitude sickness, regardless of age or physical health. Please see the ‘Health’ section of the Essential Trip Information for more important details. It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If you can't arrange a flight that will arrive in time, consider arriving a day early so you can attend. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
2. Tag 2

   Mandara Hut

   <
   After a hearty breakfast, make your way to Marangu Gate, the entrance of the Mt Kilimanjaro National Park (1860 m) 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.
   Your hiking time will be approximately 3 to 4 hours or 8 km (4.9 mi). You will gain 841 m (2759.1 ft) of elevation and sleep at 2,720 m (8923.8 ft). We provide one guide for every two climbers in our groups. Each person will have a personal porter for the bulk of their gear and there are extra porters for camping equipment and food, though they will likely be ahead of the group most days.
3. Tag 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 to 6 hours). Today you will see the rainforest give way to open and rolling alpine meadows dotted with giant heather trees. Once out of the forest canopy, the twin snow-tipped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi lie directly ahead. These are two of the three great cones of Kilimanjaro (the other being Shira). During the day’s walk we will traverse several ravines before reaching the hut, which is set in a rocky valley. There is time to enjoy a wide variety of vegetation and changing landscapes on the way to Horombo Hut (3720 metres). We will spend the next two nights here at the hut.
   Your hiking time will be approximately 5 to 6 hours or 11 km (6.8 mi). You will gain 1000m (3280 ft) of elevation and sleep at 3720 m (12204.7 ft).
4. Tag 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 for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing and acclimatising to the altitude, or ask your guides about short walks in the area. Take advantage of the rest day here and drink plenty of water – the next couple of days will be pretty intense!
   Your hiking time will be approximately 3 to 4 hours or 8 km (4.9 mi), with an elevation gain of 430 m (1,410.7 ft) and a descent of 600 m (1,970 ft).
5. Tag 5

   Kibo Hut

   <
   Today you’ll walk the 10 kilometres or so from Horombo to Kibo Hut (approximately 5–6 hours). As the journey progresses you will notice the landscape gradually becoming more rugged and rocky, and the air noticeably thinner. We will have to soften our pace a little to accommodate these environmental changes. Marvel at giant groundsels and lobelias while you travel across the sparse moorland. Skirt Mawenzi Peak and marvel at the stark lunar landscape of the Saddle, reaching Kibo Hut in afternoon (4720 m), take the opportunity to have an early night in preparation for a very early (or late?) wake-up call.
   Your hiking time will be approximately 5 to 6 hours or 9 km (5.5 mi). You will gain 1,000 m (3,280.8 ft) of elevation and sleep at 4,720 m (15,485.5 ft).
6. Tag 6

   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 (5685 m). With some luck, arrive in time for breathtaking views of the sun rising behind Mawenzi Peak. This is the stretch that most people find the hardest, and you should be prepared for a very cold morning. The dramatic spectacle of the sun rising over the ice fields of the crater will make the early start worthwhile. For those who still have the energy, it's a further walk (approximately 2 hours) along the rim of the crater to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. From here there are amazing views of the crater, ice fields and plains below. After photos and time to catch your breath, descend back to Horombo Hut for a well-earned rest.
   Your hiking time will be approximately 12 to 14 hours or 12 km (7.4 mi), with an elevation gain of 1,175 m (3,854 ft) and a descent of 2175 m (7,136 ft).
7. Tag 7

   Marangu

   <
   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! Over a celebratory meal we can relive and share our experiences of the past five days on the mountain.
   Your hiking time will be approximately 6 to 7 hours or 20 km (12.4 mi), with a descent of 1841 m (6040 ft).
8. Tag 8

   Marangu

   <
   There are no activities or trekking planned for today. A transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport or a shuttle to Nairobi can be arranged locally – please speak to your group leader about this at the welcome meeting.