5-day Kilimanjaro Trek Marangu Route: Hut-to-hut climb from Moshi

Sleep in mountain huts instead of tents on your way to Kilimanjaro's summit.

A 5-day Kilimanjaro trek on the Marangu Route from Moshi climbs Africa's highest peak using the only route with hut accommodations, no tents required. You hike through montane forest, moorland and alpine desert over five days, summiting at Uhuru Peak (5,895 m) before descending to Mandara hut. The climb includes three meals daily, expert guides, porters who carry your gear, transfers from Moshi, park fees, and one night's hotel accommodation before and after the trek.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Moshi to Mandara Hut hike

• Breakfast and briefing
• Transfer to Marangu Gate
• Register at Marangu Gate
• Hike through montane forest
• Arrive at Mandara Hut

Day 2: Mandara to Horombo Hut hike

• Breakfast at Mandara Hut
• Hike through forest and moorland
• Optional Maundi Crater rim detour
• Picnic lunch on trail
• Arrive at Horombo Hut

Day 3: Horombo to Kibo Hut hike

• Breakfast at Horombo Hut
• Climb to the Saddle via lower route
• Stock up water at last watering point
• Hike through alpine desert
• Arrive at Kibo Hut
• Prepare equipment for summit
• Early bedtime

Day 4: Summit Uhuru Peak and descend

• Wake before midnight
• Climb to Hans Meyer Cave
• Ascend to Gillman’s Point
• Reach Uhuru Peak summit
• Descend to Kibo Hut
• Breakfast and rest
• Descend to Horombo Hut
• Arrive and overnight at Horombo Hut

Day 5: Descend to Marangu Gate and transfer

• Breakfast at Horombo Hut
• Hike down to Mandara Hut
• Continue descent to Marangu Gate
• Sign out and receive certificate
• Transfer to hotel in Moshi

The experience

Marangu is the only Kilimanjaro route with shared hut accommodations, which means you sleep in wooden A-framed huts with bunk beds and solar lighting instead of pitching a tent each night. Water is piped into the camps from springs, and flush toilets are behind the main hut. Each camp has a capacity of around 60 climbers, so you're never alone on the mountain. The huts also stock mineral water, soft drinks, chocolates and beer for purchase if you need extras.

The route takes you through three distinct habitats over five days. Day one is a 5-hour hike through montane forest to Mandara hut at 2,700 m. Day two climbs 6 hours through moorland to Horombo hut at 3,720 m, passing the rim of Maundi Crater where you can see Kibo's glaciers on clear days. Day three ascends 6 hours into alpine desert, reaching Kibo hut at 4,700 m. The fourth day is the summit push: you leave Kibo just before midnight, climb 10 hours to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, then descend 6 hours back to Horombo hut the same day. Day five is a 6-hour descent through moorland and forest back to Marangu gate, where you receive your summit certificate before returning to Moshi.

Your guide speaks English and leads the entire climb. Porters carry your equipment, food and water so you only need a daypack. A cook prepares three meals daily at each camp. An oxygen tank travels with the group in case of emergency. You get one night in a hotel in Moshi before the trek starts and one night after you descend, so you have time to rest and recover.

What’s included

• Three meals daily during the climb.
• transfers from Moshi to Marangu Gate and back.
• park entry fees, hut fees and rescue fees.
• expert English-speaking guide, cook, assistant guides and porters who carry your equipment.
• bottled water on the first day and boiled filtered water on the mountain.
• an oxygen tank for emergencies.
• one night's hotel accommodation in Moshi before the trek and one night after descent.
• your summit certificate at Marangu Gate.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 86 years) · Child (5 to 13 years) · Under 5: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 9 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Kilitwende Adventures

Is this one for you?Your English-speaking guide leads the entire climb, so you don't need to arrange a translator or worry about communication on the mountain. This route suits climbers who prefer sleeping in huts with other trekkers over camping alone in a tent, and who want the support of porters carrying their gear so they can focus on acclimatizing and reaching the summit.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 13 years). Children under 5 can't be included in the booking.

How much hiking do I do on the day I reach the summit?

The summit day involves 10 hours of hiking: you leave Kibo hut just before midnight, climb to Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m, then descend 6 hours back to Kibo hut for a short rest and breakfast, then hike another 3 hours down to Horombo hut where you spend the night.

What's the difference between the Marangu Route and other Kilimanjaro routes?

Marangu is the only route with hut accommodations instead of tents, so you sleep in wooden A-framed huts with bunk beds and solar lighting. The huts have piped water and flush toilets, and you can buy drinks and snacks at each camp.

Do I need to bring my own sleeping bag and hiking boots?

You can rent a sleeping bag, hiking boots, walking sticks and a duffle bag in Moshi before the trek if you don't have your own. These are not included in the tour price.

What meals are provided during the 5-day climb?

Three meals a day are included during the trek: breakfast, lunch and dinner prepared by your cook at each camp. Drinks and snacks at the hotels in Moshi before and after are not included.

What's included in the price and what do I pay separately?

The tour includes all three meals on the mountain, transfers to and from Moshi, park entry and hut fees, guides, porters, a cook, bottled water on day one, and hotel stays before and after. You pay separately for personal gear rentals (sleeping bag, boots, sticks), tips for guides and porters, and any meals or drinks in Moshi outside the included nights.