5 Days Marangu Route 

Day 1: Moshi / Arusha – Marangu Gate – Mandara Hut

Distance: ~8 km

Start altitude: 1,860 m

End altitude: 2,720 m

Walking time: 4–5 hours

After breakfast, you drive to Marangu Gate, complete registration with the park authorities and meet your mountain crew. The trek begins through lush montane rainforest, on a gently ascending trail. Look out for colobus monkeys and birdlife in the canopy.

By mid-afternoon you arrive at Mandara Hut, a collection of wooden A-frame huts in a forest clearing. After a snack, you can take a short optional walk to Maundi Crater for your first views of Kibo and Mawenzi, weather permitting.

• Meals: Lunch & dinner

• Accommodation: Mandara Hut (dormitory-style rooms, shared facilities)

Day 2: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut

Distance: ~12 km

Start altitude: 2,720 m

End altitude: 3,720 m

Walking time: 5–6 hours

Today the trail leaves the dense forest and climbs steadily into the heath and moorland zone. Vegetation becomes lower and more open, with giant heathers and unique plants such as giant groundsels and lobelias.

You gradually traverse the slopes with expansive views back to the plains and forward to the twin peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. You reach Horombo Hut by mid-afternoon, your base for the night on an open plateau with great sunset views.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & dinner

• Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 3: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut

Distance: ~10 km

Start altitude: 3,720 m

End altitude: 4,700 m

Walking time: 5–6 hours

After breakfast, you continue climbing, passing the last water point and entering the alpine desert zone. The trail crosses a wide, barren saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo, with the white dome of the crater looming closer.

Walking is gradual but long, and you really start to feel the altitude. You arrive at the stone Kibo Hut, nestled below the crater wall, by mid-afternoon. After an early hot meal, your guide briefs you for the summit attempt and you get a few hours of rest.

• Meals: Breakfast, lunch & early dinner

• Accommodation: Kibo Hut

Day 4: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak – Horombo Hut

Distance: ~6 km up + ~15 km down

Start altitude: 4,700 m

Highest altitude: 5,895 m (Uhuru Peak)

End altitude: 3,720 m

Walking time: 10–14 hours (full summit day)

Summit day begins around midnight. With headlamps on, you climb slowly in zigzags up the steep slope to Gilman’s Point (5,685 m) on the crater rim. From there, the trail continues gently via Stella Point to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

You aim to reach the summit around sunrise for unforgettable views over the crater and surrounding peaks. After photos and a brief celebration, you descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest, then continue down to Horombo Hut for the night.

• Meals: Light snack before ascent, breakfast after descent, lunch & dinner at Horombo

• Accommodation: Horombo Hut

Day 5: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Moshi / Arusha

Distance: ~19 km

Start altitude: 3,720 m

End altitude: 1,860 m

Walking time: 5–6 hours

The final day retraces your steps down through the moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate. At the gate you sign out with the park authorities and receive your summit certificates (green for Gilman’s Point, gold for Uhuru Peak).

Your driver meets you at the gate and transfers you back to your lodge for a hot shower, celebration, and a well-earned rest.

• Meals: Breakfast & lunch (picnic or served at the gate)

• Accommodation: Not included / lodge in Moshi or Arusha (depending on your package)