Welcome to the amazing 5 days Mount Kilimanjaro hike the ultimate adventure to Africa’s rooftop. Mount Kilimanjaro is the highest mountain in Africa followed by Mount Kenta and Mount Rwenzori in Kenya and Uganda respectively. If you are looking for the best hiking safaris, visiting any of these countries for a hiking tour is a rewarding experience.
Also known as the Coca-Cola route, the Marangu route in Mount Kilimanjaro is the most famous and easiest route to hike the mountain. If you are a beginner or first-time adventurer, the Marangu route offers the best experience. Let us look at the detailed itinerary for this amazing 5 days Kilimanjaro hike – Marangu route.
Safari summary
- Day 1: Moshi to Marangu gate to Mandara hut (1200m to 1,750 m to 2,750m)
- Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut (2750m to 3,807m)
- Day 3: Horombo hut to Kibo hut (3807m to 4725m)
- Day 4: Summit Day Kibo Hut camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut camp (4,695m – 5,895m – 3,690m)
- Day 5: Horombo Huts camp to Marangu Gate to Moshi (3,690m – 1,830m – 1,387m)
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Moshi to Marangu gate to Mandara hut (1200m to 1,750 m to 2,750m)
After breakfast at your hotel, our driver guide will transfer you to the Marangu gate. Here, you will be briefed about the 5 days Mount Kilimanjaro hike.
You will start your hike through the rainforest. There is also an opportunity to visit the Maundi crater as well as enjoy scenic views of the surrounding areas. Lunch will be along the way. Dinner and overnight will be at Mandara Hut.
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Mandara hut to Horombo hut (2750m to 3,807m)
After breakfast, you will hike through the rain forest and heath. Exceptional views of the Kilimanjaro mountains and the neighboring areas await. You will encounter multiple bird species and some wildlife during the hike. You will stop for lunch and relaxation before making your way to Horombo Hut for dinner and overnight.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Horombo hut to Kibo hut (3807m to 4725m)
After a delicious breakfast, you will hike to the Mawezi Ridge or Zebra rock for an amazing hiking tour. You will trek up to the last water point and see the desert point between Mawezi and Kibo peaks. Lunch will be along the way. You will have diner and overnight at Kibo Hut.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 4: Summit Day Kibo Hut camp to Uhuru Peak to Horombo Hut camp (4,695m – 5,895m – 3,690m)
Wake up at midnight to a light breakfast then prepare for your summit ascent. Because you will climb to the summit in the dark you will need to have your headlamps or flashlights. It will also be very cold until you start descending, so you will need to have all of your warm layers. The goal is to climb before dawn so that you can reach Uhuru Peak shortly before or after sunrise. Switchback up steep scree or possibly snow, and reach Gilman’s Point on the crater rim at 5,861m between 4 am and 6 am. At this point, you will have a views of the fabled crater and its icecaps facing you. Then after 2 hours of hiking along the Kibo crater rim near the celebrated snows takes you to Kilimanjaro’s true summit, Uhuru Peak. Here you will spend some time for taking photos.
After your summit photos and taking in the view, descend back to the Kibo Huts, have lunch, rest, collect your equipment and continue down through re-cross the saddle to the Horombo Huts. Have dinner and overnight at Horombo Camp.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 5: Horombo Huts camp to Marangu Gate to Moshi (3,690m – 1,830m – 1,387m)
After a delicious breakfast, pack your belongings and embark on the descend from Horombo Hut to Marangu gate. You will make stopover at different huts as well as a walk through the lush green forests of Mount Kilimanjaro National Park. Lunch will be along the way. Upon reaching the Marangu gate, you will be awarded a certificate of participation in the Mount Kilimanjaro hike. Your driver guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel for diner and overnight. Depending on your flight schedule, you may transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your outbound flight. This marks the end of your amazing5 days Mount Kilimanjaro hike – Marangu route.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch