Summit Kilimanjaro in 5 Days: Marangu Route Trek from Moshi

Moshi•challenging

Difficulty

challenging

Duration

5 days (approx. 60–75 hours)

Fitness Level

Good aerobic fitness and prior multi-day hiking experience recommended; ability to walk 6–8 hours on steep terrain helps.

Overview

The Marangu Route is the traditional 5-day climb on Kilimanjaro, offering hut-based nights and a direct summit push. This guide explains what to expect each day, how to prepare for altitude and weather, and practical tips to increase your odds of reaching Uhuru Peak.

Summit Kilimanjaro in 5 Days: Marangu Route Trek from Moshi

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Hiking

Wildlife

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Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

The headlamp cone slices through a cold, high-altitude night as a line of hikers and guides steps off Kibo Hut toward the crater ridge. Breaths fog in quick white puffs; the wind along the saddle pushes and tests every layer. By sunrise, Gillman’s Point appears like a rim cut into sky, and the final hour to Uhuru Peak unfolds as a slow, exhausting reward.

Adventure Photos

Summit Kilimanjaro in 5 Days: Marangu Route Trek from Moshi photo 1

Adventure Tips

Pace for altitude

Walk slowly and take scheduled rest breaks—moving too fast is the most common cause of altitude sickness on Marangu.

Layer for wide temperature swings

Bring a warm down jacket and shell so you can add or remove layers between rainforest heat and freezing summit winds.

Hydration and electrolytes

Carry at least 3 liters per day and use electrolyte tablets—dehydration accelerates altitude symptoms.

Headlamp with fresh batteries

Summit pushes begin around midnight; a reliable headlamp keeps your hands free and your route visible.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Blue monkey
Colobus monkey

History

Kilimanjaro’s summit was first recorded by Europeans in 1889; local Chagga people have long considered the mountain part of their cultural landscape.

Conservation

Melting glaciers and increasing visitor numbers pose ecological pressures—stay on trails, pack out waste, and support guides who follow park regulations.