Mount Kilimanjaro Day Hike

Trip Overview
Day by Day
Inclusions and Exclusions

About the Kilimanjaro Day Hike

Climb Mount Kilimanjaro within one day hike. This hike has probably been on your bucketlist for a while now and if you don’t have the time or budget (or both) to climb it, then this is definately your best option. You’ll get up really high and have the single best view on the mountain, without having to pay the full price. Get a nice taste of the highest mountain in Africa: Mt. Kilimanjaro at 5,985m tall.

Kilimanjaro day hike: What to expect

The day trip to Mt Kilimanjaro starts around 5:00AM from Arusha (or even earlier to avoid traffic) or at 6:00AM from Moshi. Depending on the location of your ho(s)tel, the journey will take 1:30-2.30hours. From Arusha/Moshi you’ll depart with your guide after an early breakfast to start the drive to Kilimanjaro National Park and begin the Kilimanjaro day hike.

Kilimanjaro Marangu day hike involves going up to the first camp Mandara hut (2720m) and come back via the same route on the same day. There is a drive about 45km from Moshi town which will take 1 hour. At Marangu gate you have to do some registrations and pay the park entrance fee to get a valid permit to start the hike. Marangu gate is 1879m above sea level and the distance to Mandara hut is 8km (16 km round trip), which will take 3 to 4 hours for each direction.

How fit should I be: 

It’s ‘just’ a day hike, but the fast paith and elevation make it quite exhausting. So don’t underestimate this hike. It is definitely challenging. 

What to wear: 

The most important one is to bring good, closed shoes on the Kilimanjaro day hike. If you want to walk up all the way on your high heals, that’s perfectly fine, just don’t complain if it gets tough. Due to the altitude, an extra set of warm clothing is also strongly advised. It can get wet in the lower rainforests, so come prepared with some waterproof clothing or a drybag with extra socks/shirt. 

Day Hike Kilimanjaro Options:

Regular: Around $280-300 p.p. depending on group size

Budget: Around $210-230 p.p. depending on group size

Marangu Route Day Hike: From $160p.p. (Note that this takes a different route. Allthough still amazingly beautiful, it’s a little less scenic than the other route, but also varies greatly in cost.

*This Day trip is both possible as a private excursion or it is possible to join a group. If you’d like to join a group. Please send us an enquiry and we will find a group for you to join

Day 1 :
from hotel to kilimanjaro peak

You will be picked up in the morning at your hotel(moshi/arusha/bomang'ombe) and taken to the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (Marangu Gate, 1860m). The drive will take approximately 1-3 hour. Once the necessary gate registration has been completed, your trek can begin and you will soon be hiking through the dense Kilimanjaro rainforest.

Alongside the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to catch a glimpse of black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys and various bird species. Our knowledgeable English-speaking guide will inform you about Kilimanjaro and will explain the different species of plants and animals you will see. You will also meet mountain climbers descending from the top, and perhaps some of them will tell you of their experiences and you can start to dream about a climb of your own!

After a 3-4 hour hike, you will reach Mandara Hut (2700m), where you will have a well-earned rest and lunch. Your guide will then take you on a short hike (15 minutes walking distance) to the Maundi Crater, where you can enjoy wonderful views of Mount Kilimanjaro, Northern Tanzania and Kenya. Once you have thoroughly enjoyed the views, you will return to the Marangu Gate (2-3 hours walking distance), where your vehicle will be waiting for your transfer back to your hotel. On your return journey you can enjoy the sunset and the day‘s memories.

price include

  • All prices are based on USD and include: English speaking guide, transportation from/to Moshi, all national park fees, lunch box, bottled water, all mentioned activities according to the itinerary.
  • This is a private trip and hence the group will only consist of the people you chose to travel with. For children the following discounts apply: 1 child under 5 years 100 % (further children under 5 years 50 %), 5-12 years 50%. Children with a 100% discount are not included in the total number of travelers. The stated children's discounts are limited to 2 children per private trip. If more children (up to and including 12 years) travel with the group, we are gladly prepared to make you an individual offer.
  • You may pay for this tour in USD or equivalent in TZS (Tanzanian Shillings) on the date of the tour in cash.

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