Best and affordable 5 days Marangu route Kilimanjaro climbing tour in 2025, 2026, 2027

Best 5 Days Marangu route Kilimanjaro climbing 2025, 2026, 2027 tour overview

This best and affordable 5 days Marangu route Kilimanjaro climbing tour is a special Kilimanjaro climbing package to summit within 5 days and 4 nights. There are best five routes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro: the Marangu route, Machame route, Lemosho route, Rongai route, and Umbwe route. 5 days Kilimanjaro hiking is mainly possible with the Marangu route, though energetic and fast hikers can also hike the Kilimanjaro for 5 days via Machame, Rongai, and Umbwe routes. 5 days Marangu Kilimanjaro climbing is favorable for hikers with limited time and wishes to summit the Kilimanjaro.

Many hikers favor the affordable 5 days Marangu route Kilimanjaro hiking because it is considered to be the easiest path on Kilimanjaro climbing due to its gradual slope and direct path. However, the short time frame of 5 days and 4 nights on the Marangu route makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. You can climb Kilimanjaro via the Marangu route for 5 days departing from Moshi or Arusha in Kilimanjaro groups or private hiking.

Best 5 days 4 nights Marangu route Kilimanjaro hiking from Moshi or Arusha itinerary

Day 1: Kilimanjaro National Park Gate to Mandara Hut;
Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut;
Day 3: Shira Camp to lava tower to Barranco campHorombo Hut to Kibo Hut;
Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit then Horombo Hut;
Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi or Arusha.

Day 1: Kilimanjaro National Park Gate to Mandara Hut

Elevation: 5,500 ft / 1,700 m to 9,000 ft / 2,740
Distance: 7 km
Time: 4-5 hours
Climatic Zone: Montane Forest
Meals: L, D
Hut: Mandara Hut

After breakfast and briefing of 5 days Marangu route Kilimanjaro hiking in Arusha or Moshi, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate, register and start the climb. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus monkeys.

Day 2: Mandara Hut to Horombo Hut

Elevation: 9,000 ft / 2,700 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m
Distance: 11 km
Time: 6-8 hours
Climatic Zone: Heathland/ Moorland
Meals: B, L, D
Hut: Horombo Hut

You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing here. On this second day of our 5 days Marangu route package, overnight at Horombo hut.

Day 3: Horombo Hut to Kibo Hut

Elevation: 12,100 ft / 3,700 m to 15,400 ft / 4,700 m
Distance: 10 km
Time: 6-8 hours
Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: B, L, D
Hut: Kibo Hut

On the third day of 5 days Marangu route Kilimanjaro trekking, we ascend as we pass the last watering point, walking into the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Get dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.

Day 4: Kibo Hut to Summit then Horombo Hut

Elevation: 15,400 ft / 4,700 m to 19,300 ft / 5,895 m 19,300 ft / 5,895 m to 12,100 ft / 3,700 m
Distance: 4 km up / 14 km down
Time: 10-15 hours
Climatic Zone: Alpine Desert
Meals: B, L, D
Hut: Horombo Camp

The summit day begins early (midnight to 2 am) walking on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have the opportunity to take pictures before we descend back, stopping for lunch and short rest at Kibo before continuing to the Horombo encampment.

Day 5: Horombo Hut to Moshi |Marangu route Kilimanjaro Trekking

m to 5,500 ft / 1,700 m
Distance: 18km
Time: 5-7 hours
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. A vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back in Moshi or Arusha. This mark the end of 5 days Marangu route Kilimanjaro hiking itinerary.