Welcome to Origin Ventures and Safaris! Join us on the classic 6-day Marangu Route—a guided journey from rainforest to rooftop of Africa. This route offers a blend of scenic landscapes, well-maintained trails, and the comfort of sleeping in mountain huts instead of tents.

Day 1: Marangu Gate (1,870m) – Mandara Hut (2,720m)

Begin your adventure with a drive from Moshi or Arusha to Marangu Gate. After registration and a short briefing, you’ll trek through dense rainforest filled with towering trees, mosses, and playful monkeys.

The hike takes about 4–5 hours. Overnight at Mandara Hut. Optional walk to Maundi Crater in the late afternoon.

Day 2: Mandara Hut – Horombo Hut (3,720m)

The landscape changes from rainforest to moorland, with open views and unique vegetation like giant lobelias and groundsels.

Trek for 5–6 hours to reach Horombo Hut, where you will rest and acclimatize.

Day 3: Acclimatization Day at Horombo Hut

This day is crucial for adjusting to altitude. You’ll do a short acclimatization hike to Zebra Rocks (4,000m) or even up toward Mawenzi Ridge, then return to Horombo for lunch and rest.

Day 4: Horombo Hut – Kibo Hut (4,700m)

After breakfast, trek across the alpine desert between Mawenzi and Kibo peaks. It’s a long, gradual climb, and the scenery becomes more barren as you gain altitude.

Reach Kibo Hut in the early afternoon. You’ll rest here before your summit attempt, which begins around midnight.

Day 5: Kibo Hut – Uhuru Peak (5,895m) – Horombo Hut

Begin the toughest and most rewarding part of the trek around midnight. The climb to Gillman’s Point is steep and cold, but steady. After a short rest, continue to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa.

Celebrate at the summit, then descend back to Kibo Hut for a short rest before continuing down to Horombo Hut for the night.

Day 6: Horombo Hut – Marangu Gate – Return to Moshi/Arusha

After breakfast, begin your descent through moorland and rainforest back to Marangu Gate. Upon signing out, you’ll receive a certificate of achievement.

Your driver will be waiting to take you back to Moshi or Arusha for a well-deserved rest, hot shower, and celebration.

Best Time to Climb the Marangu Route

The best months to trek the Marangu Route are during the dry seasons: from January to early March and June to October. These months offer more stable weather, clearer views, and better trail conditions. While the Marangu Route can technically be climbed year-round, rainy months (April–May and November) make the trails slippery and increase the risk of poor visibility.

For the 6-day itinerary, good weather is especially important to ensure success on summit day — when trekkers make the long, strenuous push to Uhuru Peak.