6 daysCamping
6-Day Umbwe Route
Umbwe is the mountain’s steepest and most direct six-day camping route, climbing the rainforest ridge to Barranco before joining the Southern Circuit.
From US$3,440 per climber, groups of 1–5, sharing a room or tent
- Days on the mountain
- 5 days
- Sleeping
- Huts
- Approach
- Marangu Gate
- Descent
- Marangu Gate
- Price
- From US$2,640 per climber, groups of 1–5, sharing a room or tent
Overview
Marangu’s classic hut-to-hut climb offers straightforward access and the comfort of National Park huts. This five-day version follows Mandara, Horombo and Kibo before the summit push to Uhuru Peak. Every climb includes trained guides, cooks and porters, oxygen, daily oximeter checks and altitude-focused meals.
Reputed to be the easiest route and without doubt the most comfortable in facilities and access — the classic path to the summit, sleeping in National Park huts rather than tents. Lower porterage costs keep it the favourite of value-focused climbers.
7 days door-to-door. 4 nights on the mountain. Hut accommodation.
Where you sleep
- Day 1Mandara Hut
- Day 2Horombo Hut
- Day 3Kibo Hut
- Day 4Horombo Hut
The climb
- Highest point
- 5,895 m
- Summit night
- Day 4
- Last camp, 4,700 m
- Kibo
- Walked in total
- 68 km
Show the figures as a table
| Day | Place | Altitude |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Marangu Gate | 1,800 m / 5,906 ft |
| Day 1 | Mandara Hut | 2,700 m / 8,858 ft |
| Day 2 | Horombo Hut | 3,720 m / 12,205 ft |
| Day 3 | Kibo Hut | 4,700 m / 15,420 ft |
| Day 4 | Uhuru Peak | 5,895 m / 19,341 ft |
| Day 4 | Horombo | 3,720 m / 12,205 ft |
| Day 5 | Marangu Gate | 1,980 m / 6,496 ft |
Day 1
Marangu Gate → Mandara Hut
1,800 → 2,700 m (+900 m)7 kmabout 3 hours
Day 2
Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut
2,700 → 3,720 m (+1,020 m)12 kmabout 6 hours
Day 3
Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut
3,720 → 4,700 m (+980 m)9.5 kmabout 5 hours
Day 4
Kibo → Uhuru Peak
4,700 → 5,895 m (+1,195 m)21 kmabout 12–15 hours
Day 4
Uhuru Peak → Horombo
5,895 → 3,720 m (−2,175 m)
Day 5
Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate
3,720 → 1,980 m (−1,740 m)18 kmabout 6 hours
Map
- Marangu Gate
- Mandara Hut
- Horombo Hut
- Kibo Hut
- Uhuru Peak
- Horombo Hut
- Marangu Gate
Sample plan — we adjust it to your group
Day by day
- 1Day
Marangu Gate → Mandara Hut
After registration at Marangu Gate, the climb follows a maintained ridge trail through dense rainforest.
- Elevation
- 1,800 m to 2,700 m
- Distance
- about 7 km
- Hiking time
- about 3 hours
- Habitat
- Montane forest
- Focus
- Rainforest ascent
Overnight: Mandara Hut
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After registration at Marangu Gate, the climb follows a maintained ridge trail through dense rainforest. Mandara Hut sits in a forest clearing and provides the first night's hut accommodation.
- 2Day
Mandara Hut → Horombo Hut
The trail leaves the forest, skirts the base of Maundi Crater and enters open moorland.
- Elevation
- 2,700 m to 3,720 m
- Distance
- about 12 km
- Hiking time
- about 6 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland
- Focus
- Open mountain views
Overnight: Horombo Hut
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The trail leaves the forest, skirts the base of Maundi Crater and enters open moorland. Views expand toward Kibo and Mawenzi before the afternoon arrival at Horombo Hut.
- 3Day
Horombo Hut → Kibo Hut
The route crosses the broad alpine-desert Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo.
- Elevation
- 3,720 m to 4,700 m
- Distance
- about 9.5 km
- Hiking time
- about 5 hours
- Habitat
- Alpine desert
- Focus
- Cross the Saddle
Overnight: Kibo Hut
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The route crosses the broad alpine-desert Saddle between Mawenzi and Kibo. Arrival at Kibo Hut is followed by an early meal, equipment preparation and rest before the summit departure.
- 4Day
Kibo → Uhuru Peak → Horombo
A midnight ascent climbs steep scree to Gillman's Point and follows the crater rim to Uhuru Peak.
- Elevation
- 4,700 m to 5,895 m
- Elevation
- 5,895 m to 3,720 m
- Distance
- about 21 km
- Hiking time
- about 12–15 hours
- Habitat
- Arctic to moorland
- Focus
- Summit and descent
Overnight: Horombo Hut
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A midnight ascent climbs steep scree to Gillman's Point and follows the crater rim to Uhuru Peak. After the summit, the route descends through Kibo Hut and continues down to Horombo for the night.
- 5Day
Horombo Hut → Marangu Gate
The final walk descends from open moorland into the humid forest and returns to Marangu Gate.
- Elevation
- 3,720 m to 1,980 m
- Distance
- about 18 km
- Hiking time
- about 6 hours
- Habitat
- Moorland and forest
- Focus
- Certificates and return
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The final walk descends from open moorland into the humid forest and returns to Marangu Gate. The team completes park formalities and receives summit certificates before returning to Arusha.
What’s included
Included
- Two nights' hotel in Arusha & all JRO transfers
- Transfers to and from the mountain trailheads
- Kilimanjaro park entrance, camping/hut & rescue fees
- Professional English-speaking mountain guides, cooks & porters
- All meals on the mountain — nutrition planned for altitude
- Complimentary fruits & juice while hiking; porterage of 1 bag (15 kg)
- Oxygen cylinder / Gamow bag & daily oximeter checks
- Camping equipment: Mountain Hardwear tents, mess tent, portable toilet, solar light (camping routes)
- Hot-water bottle at night · Flying Doctors cover · liability insurance
Not included
- Tips to guides, cooks and porters
- Bottled mineral water
- Visas
- Laundry & telephone calls
- Day rooms on the final day after the climb
- Items of a personal nature
- Costs of early descent (extra Arusha nights etc.)
Last updated
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Arusha 3.37° S · 36.68° E
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Plan: 5-Day Marangu Route
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