One Day Kilimanjaro Trek to Mandara Hut- Marangu

Our one-day Kilimanjaro hiking tour to Mandara Huts which are A-shaped, gives you the chance to trek to the first stage of the legendary Marangu Route, through a rainforest teeming with wildlife and chattering, curious blue monkeys. Be on the lookout for a black and white colobus monkey or two!

Mount Kilimanjaro is Tanzania’s most awe-inspiring landmark, but you don’t have to climb it to appreciate its full splendor and the intriguing landscape that surrounds it.

Start time: 8.00am
Duration of excursion: Full day
Meals included: Packed lunch. Bottled water.
Maximum size of group: Private group

Click here to book this day hike

What to wear for this Kilimanjaro day hike: Closed shoes are recommended because the walk can be over uneven ground. Due to the altitude, warm clothing and/or waterproofs are also advisable.

How much does the Marangu Day tour cost from Moshi?

Prices for the day trip to Mandara Huts and Maundi Crater along the Marangu route will cost from $170 for a group of 5 people to $250 for a single person if the pickup and drop off location is in Moshi Town. You can take this short hike from Moshi, the nearest town to Mount Kilimanjaro’s Marangu Gate. The distance from Moshi Town to Marangu gate is about 39 km and it takes about an hour to reach there by driving.

Prices for the Kilimanjaro Day Hike to Mandara Hut (per person) from Moshi
1 Person	2 Persons	3 Persons	4 Persons	5 Persons and more
250 USD	215 USD	190 USD	180 USD	170 USD

All rates are in US dollars and include an English-speaking guide, round-trip transportation from/to Moshi, admission park fees to Kilimanjaro National Park, a lunchbox, bottled water, and all activities included in the program.

How much does this day trip to Marangu cost from Arusha

Arusha is a city not far away from Kilimanjaro, and the nearest town to Mount Meru, which is only 2 hours away with a distance of about 87 km apart. To take this short Mount Kilimanjaro hike from Arusha though, you will have to begin your journey earlier at 6:00 am in order to make it just in time for your day trip. The distance from Arusha City to Marangu gate is about 120 km and it would take approximately 3 hours to get from Arusha to Marangu and vice versa.

Prices for the Kilimanjaro Day Hike to Mandara Hut (per person) from Arusha
1 Person	2 Persons	3 Persons	4 Persons	5 Persons and more
285 USD	245 USD	215 USD	205 USD	195 USD

How long will the hike take?

It will take a total duration of about 5-7 hours to trek from the gate to Mandara Huts and then back to Marangu gate. Remember our goal is to enjoy the mountain as much as we can but also be aware that you have to be at the gate by 6 pm in the evening.

Altitude gain:	1860m to 2700m
Distance (one way):	8 km
Hiking time:	3 – 4 hours up / 2 – 3 hours down (total time 5 – 7 hours)
Habitat:	Rainforest

What to wear for this day hike to Marangu

Each hiker requires a small rucksack/backpack to carry water, warm clothes, and full waterproofs – the weather may be unpredictable fast as clouds swoop down from the peak depending on the time of year. Additionally, each hiker needs a pair of sturdy walking boots since the ground in some sections might be soft. For this day excursion to Mount Kilimanjaro, hiking boots are not required. However, we advise wearing closed-toe footwear, such as trainers.

1 Day Hike to Mandara Hut on Mount Kilimanjaro

The 1 day hike to Kilimanjaro’s Mandara Hut, the first accommodation point along the Marangu route begins with an early morning breakfast at your hotel or lodge in Moshi or Arusha but preferably in Moshi since it is the nearest town to Mount Kilimanjaro. We drive for 1 hour to the Marangu Gate at an elevation of 1860 m where all the paperwork and registration are processed before we begin our day hike on the mountain. Marangu Gate is located in the dense forested and wet region of the rainforest. traversing the impressive vegetation, you will have the chance to see the resident black and white colobus monkeys, blue monkeys, and a variety of bird species. Our knowledgeable mountain guide will share their knowledge of Mount Kilimanjaro and its environs while pointing out the different species of plants and animals of the mountain.

Morning Departure: Start your day early with a departure from Moshi or Arusha to the Marangu Gate, the starting point for the Marangu Route. The drive takes approximately 1-2 hours, depending on your location.
Marangu Gate to Mandara Hut (First leg of the trek): Begin your hike from the Marangu Gate (1,860 meters) and trek through lush rainforest trails towards Mandara Hut (2,700 meters). This section of the route is relatively easy and suitable for children, with gentle slopes and well-maintained paths.
Picnic Lunch at Mandara Hut: Arrive at Mandara Hut in time for a picnic lunch surrounded by the sights and sounds of the rainforest. Enjoy a break to rest, refuel, and take in the natural beauty of the area.
Exploration and Nature Walk: After lunch, explore the surrounding area with a guided nature walk. Learn about the diverse plant and animal life found in the rainforest ecosystem, including unique flora and playful monkeys.
Return to Marangu Gate: After spending a few hours at Mandara Hut, begin your descent back to the Marangu Gate. Take your time on the return journey, allowing children to explore and enjoy the experience at their own pace.
Evening Return: Arrive back at the Marangu Gate in the late afternoon or early evening. From there, return to your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha, reflecting on the day’s adventure and the memories made on Kilimanjaro.

Distance from Marangu gate to Mandara Hut

The hike from the Entrance Gate, the Marangu gate (1860 m) to Mandara Hut (2700 m) takes a duration of 3-4 hours trekking on foot and it is about 8km long. On reaching the Mandara Hut you will explore the surrounding features by hiking for another 15 minutes to the Maundi crater where you will be rewarded by stunning views of the Mountain and the lovely terrain below.

Descending from Mandara Hut back to the exit gate, the Marangu gate

After you have had your lunch, relaxed, and enjoyed the views, you will have to get back to the Marangu gate and ultimately to Moshi or Arusha. Descending from Mandara Hut Camp to the Marangu gate takes about 2-3 hours on foot. Once you reach the Marangu gate, your vehicle will be waiting for you whereby you will embark on your journey back to Moshi town or Arusha City.

Climbing Kilimanjaro in one day?

Although you won’t be able to climb Kilimanjaro in a single day up to the summit, Uhuru Peak, you can still enjoy a hike to the lower slopes of the mountain in a few hours of the day. Our day excursion to this iconic, snow-capped mountain will give you a good idea of why Africa’s tallest peak is so popular. During the day, we’ll trek the popular Marangu Route as far as the first hut, the Mandara, where we’ll have a picnic lunch. While the rest of the hikers continue uphill toward the summit, we will descend and return to Arusha.

Marangu Route Day Trip Route Map

Marangu is a village on the foot slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro, you can take a one-day trip to the mountain using the Marangu Route or alternatively, you can opt for a day trip to Marangu Village and experience Chagga cultural tours, enjoy a dip at the Marangu Waterfalls, learn how to make coffee the local way and visit the Chagga Caves at Marangu Village.

Marangu Route Map

Marangu Gate (1,800m/5,905ft) to Mandara Hut (2,743m/9,000ft)

Elevation Gain: 915 meters, 3,000 feet

Early in the morning, depart from vibrant, colorful Moshi for the trip to Marangu Gate, the gateway to beautiful Kilimanjaro. It’s only an hour’s journey, but the scenery – coffee and banana fields, past charming Marangu hamlet, with Kilimanjaro rising magnificently ahead of you – will capture you. It is also possible to be picked up from Arusha to Marangu but it will have to be a little bit earlier since Arusha is about a 2-hour drive to Moshi.

Your trip will begin after we register you at the Marangu Gate (since we don’t want to lose you!). The ridged trail is narrow at first as you travel through the rainforest. It’s lush and gloomy, with moss adorning the trees. Birdsong and weird rustlings fill the canopy above us — is it a colobus? It’s possible that a mongoose will scurry ahead of you.

You’ll also come across exhausted hikers on their way down from the peak. Give them a thumbs up for their efforts.

The climb to Mandara Hut takes around three hours, so take a break and eat a delicious lunch there before continuing on to the Maundi Crater for a short but hard walk. The views to the east across Taveta and to the northwest over Mawenzi Peak are breathtaking on a clear day. Remember to bring your camera! After taking in the scenery, you’ll trek back down to the Marangu Gate, where our van will be ready to transport you back to Moshi town, exhausted but pleased. Even if you’re a little out of shape, this Kilimanjaro day trek is acceptable for most individuals!

The cost for the one day Mount Kilimanjaro hike includes and excludes the following items

1 Day Kilimanjaro Hike Price includes

All transfers to the mountain and back to your Arusha hotel

Professional, experienced, mountain guides

Guides, Porters, Cook salaries and park fees

Quality, waterproof, four-season mountain sleeping tents

Sleeping Mattress

All meals while on the Mountain

Quality Mess tents with table and chairs

Large portions of fresh, healthy, nutritious food

Clean, purified drinking water

Conservation fees (part of park fees)

Camping or Hut fees (part of park fees)

Rescue fees (part of park fees)

VAT (18% charged by the Government)

Surcharge for online payment of deposit (5%)

Price Excludes

Airport transfers

Accommodation in Arusha

Tanzania Visa

Gratuity

Personal Expenses (e.g. laundry, telephone, beverages, etc.)

Meals not listed above

Optional Tours (short safari after your climb etc)

Can I do a day hike on Mount Kilimanjaro?

Yes, a day trek may be done by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro through the popular Marangu route or from the western slope to the beautiful Shira Plateau, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Can you climb Mount Kilimanjaro in a day?

No, regular climbers will not be able to summit Mount Kilimanjaro in a single day. Experienced mountaineers have established records for climbing in a few hours or a day, but this is not for everyone.

What is the fastest Mount Kilimanjaro ascent and descent record?

In August 2014, Swiss mountain runner Karl Egloff broke the record for the quickest climb and descent of Mount Kilimanjaro. He raced to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro and returned in 6 hours and 42 minutes, breaking the previous record of 6 hours and 42 minutes established by another mountain runner from Spain, Kilian Jornet, in September 2010.

How Long Does it Take to Climb Kilimanjaro?

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro may take anywhere from 5 to 11 days, depending on a variety of criteria such as route selection, physical ability, and budget.

How many people climb Mount Kilimanjaro?

Every year, around 110, 000 individuals attempt to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. A total of around 30,000 climbers and 80,000 porters and guides made up the total.

What to Wear for a Kilimanjaro Day Hike?

Closed shoes, although not necessarily hiking boots, are advised. Wear warm clothing as well.

Who should do a Mount Kilimanjaro day trip?

A day excursion to Mount Kilimanjaro is ideal if you’re traveling with youngsters who aren’t quite ready for the whole trek yet, or if you don’t have much time but still want to enjoy the experience.

Where does the Kilimanjaro day trip take you?

On these one-day treks, you’ll visit Kilimanjaro’s lower camps, such as Mandara Hut and Shira Plateau, before returning to the gate and exploring the unspoiled tropical forest and magnificent views around the mountain.