6 Days Marangu Route

Overview

The only route with sleeping huts and the most straightforward path to the summit, with an acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut.

Highlights

Day-by-day itinerary

1. Day 1Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut

   After breakfast and a briefing, drive from Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate. Register and trek through lush rainforest to Mandara Hut, spotting colobus monkeys and exotic birds on the way.

   1,870 m → 2,720 m~8 km4–5 hoursRainforestOvernight: Mandara Hut

2. Day 2Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

   Leave the rainforest for moorland, hiking past rolling hills with striking views of the Mawenzi and Kibo peaks.

   2,720 m → 3,720 m~11 km5–6 hoursMoorlandOvernight: Horombo Hut

3. Day 3Acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut

   A rest day to help your body adjust. Take a short hike to Zebra Rocks or higher towards the Mawenzi Ridge, then return for lunch and rest.

   3,720 m → 4,000 m → 3,720 mOptional hike2–4 hoursMoorlandOvernight: Horombo Hut

4. Day 4Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

   Cross the alpine desert, pass the Last Water Point and walk over the Saddle — a lunar landscape between Kibo and Mawenzi — to Kibo Hut, your base for summit night.

   3,720 m → 4,700 m~10 km5–6 hoursAlpine desertOvernight: Kibo Hut

5. Day 5Summit day: Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut

   Begin just after midnight, climbing slow switchbacks to Gilman's Point (5,685 m) and along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Enjoy the sunrise, rest briefly at Kibo Hut and continue down to Horombo.

   4,700 m → 5,895 m → 3,720 m~6 km up, ~15 km down12–14 hoursArctic to moorlandOvernight: Horombo Hut

6. Day 6Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate

   Descend gradually through moorland and rainforest to Marangu Gate, receive your summit certificate and drive to Moshi or Arusha.

   3,720 m → 1,870 m~20 km6–7 hoursMoorland to rainforest

Elevation profile

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