5 Days
Adventure
10-20 People
Any Language
Rising 3 miles straight up out of the surrounding game-filled plains, Uhuru peak stands at 5895m! Made up of three extinct conical volcanoes, Kibo, Mawenzi, and Shira, Mount Kilimanjaro houses a diverse range of ecosystems, so that trekkers experience everything from lush tropical rainforest and savanna grasslands through to magical alpine woodland and vast moorland, concluding with the summit's snowfields and stunning glacial region.
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register and commence the climb. Walkthrough the rainforest to the Mandara encampment. 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, birdlife, and Colobus monkeys.
You leave the glades of the rainforest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and groundsels. You may begin to feel the effects of the altitude.
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into moonscape. Dinner, rest and prepare for the summit climb.
Very early in the morning (midnight to 2 am), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilmans 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 your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment.
The beginning of this climb is done in the dark and requires headlamps or flashlights. It will be very cold until you start descending, so you will need all of your warm layers. This is by far the most difficult part of the trek with many switchbacks. Going slowly pole . and an optimistic attitude will get you there!
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through the 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. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
Best day Safaris vehicle will meet you at Marangu gate to drive you back to your hotel.
Before taking on Kilimanjaro, knowing the details makes all the difference. Our FAQs cover routes, weather, and preparation, guiding you toward a safer, smoother, and unforgettable climb up Africa’s tallest mountain.
The length of the Marangu Route on Kilimanjaro is around 82 kilometres (50 miles).
It takes around 5 to 6 days to complete climbing Kilimanjaro when you choose the Marangu Route. Yes, you can complete the climb in 5 days, but some itineraries extend their climb to an additional day. This allows for better acclimatization (the body’s natural way to adapt to high altitude).
BestDay Safaris offers Kilimanjaro Climbs via both 5-day and 6-day routes. For more details on preparation for the climb, refer to our Kilimanjaro Travel Guides.
The Marangu Route is a challenging route for climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. Its high difficulty level is attributed to its short duration. Additionally, the time spent on the mountain is brief, which can make it challenging for climbers to acclimatize.
The varied terrain, unpredictable Kilimanjaro Weather, and reduced oxygen levels as you ascend to higher elevations are all factors that make things more challenging.
If something goes wrong, our trained guides and support personnel at BestDay Safaris will do everything possible to ensure your safety and well-being. They carry first aid equipment and provide basic medical assistance when needed. If necessary, they will follow the Kilimanjaro Rescue methods to ensure a safe evacuation.
When someone says a trip changed them, we listen. Many guests have written about moments that stayed long after they left, wildlife, culture, and friendships. Their voices give you a glimpse of the Tanzania we’re proud to show.
I can’t thank best day safari enough for the incredible journey they planned for us.Climbing Kilimanjaro was a dream come true & the guides and the support team made us feel safe.
Bestday Safaris designed this fantastic safari to meet our needs. There were eight of us, two families of friends, split between two jeeps with the fantastic guides Tuma and Emanuel.
These were days we will never forget. The organization by Bestdays Safari was flawless in every way.Yuna is a truly special person – she fulfilled every single request of mine.
Whether you are ready for Tanzania Safari Dream or Kilimanjaro Adventure or Beach Relaxation for a few days or a few weeks long, our experts will create an itinerary from scratch, fully tailored to your wishes. Want to visit a beautiful destination or start an adventure to reach the top, or relax in a paradise, we will make it happen.