What You Need to Know: This 5-day race weekend costs from US$900 per person for two sharing at a mid-range Moshi hotel (US$560 budget, US$1,180 luxury). It runs from Friday, February 5 to Tuesday, February 9, 2027, around the race on Sunday, February 7, and includes airport transfers, four nights with breakfast, our driver for collecting your race number and on race morning, and a Chemka hot springs day with lunch. Race entry is not included: every runner registers in their own name on the official race website (US$80 for the full or half marathon, US$20 for the 5 km for international runners) before entries close at midnight on December 15, 2026.
Who Is the Kili Marathon Race Weekend For?
Runners who are flying in for the race and want everything around it taken care of: getting from the airport, finding the race-number collection at the MoCU Stadium, getting to the start before 6:30 am, and recovering afterwards, without spending more days than they need. It works for the full marathon, the half and the 5 km, and for friends or partners coming along to cheer.
If you have more time, add a safari or a climb: see our 10-day marathon and calving safari or the 12-day marathon and Machame climb.
Kilimanjaro Marathon Race Weekend Itinerary, Day by Day
The weekend is built around the race-number hours at the MoCU Stadium and the early starts on Sunday, so nothing is rushed. Here is how the five days run:
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Day 1: Friday, February 5: arrival and your race number
We meet you at Kilimanjaro International Airport and drive you to your Moshi hotel, about an hour. Later in the day your driver takes you to the MoCU Stadium to collect your race number (open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm); bring your passport and entry reference. If your flight lands too late, there is a second chance on Saturday morning.
Stay: B&B Hotel (budget), Lamama Hotel or Weru Weru River Lodge (mid-range), or Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel (luxury), or similar, four nights.
Airport pickupRace-number collectionMoshi -
Day 2: Saturday, February 6: rest day
Sleep off the journey, take a short shake-out run along Moshi's quiet streets in the cool of the morning, and spend the afternoon with your legs up. If the clouds lift, Kilimanjaro's summit stands over the town. Lay out your kit and go to bed early.
RestMoshiBreakfast -
Day 3: Sunday, February 7: race day
Your driver collects you early and drops you near the start in good time for your race: 6:30 am for the full marathon, 7:00 am for the half and 7:30 am for the 5 km. Expect a climb toward the mountain first and a long descent back to the stadium. After the finish and your medal, we meet you at an agreed point and take you back to the hotel to rest.
RaceMoCU StadiumBreakfast -
Day 4: Monday, February 8: Chemka hot springs
The best possible recovery day: a drive of about an hour from Moshi to the Chemka hot springs, a clear, warm, spring-fed pool shaded by fig and palm trees where you can float, swim and let your legs recover. Lunch, the entrance fee and a local guide are included, and you are back in Moshi in the afternoon.
Recovery swimChemkaBreakfast, lunch -
Day 5: Tuesday, February 9: departure
Transfer to Kilimanjaro International Airport for your flight home, or the start of a safari or climb.
Airport transferMoshiBreakfast
How Much Does the Kilimanjaro Marathon Race Weekend Cost?
From US$900 per person for two sharing at a mid-range hotel, US$560 at budget level and US$1,180 at luxury level. Single runners pay from US$1,150 at mid-range.
| Travelers | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | US$780 | US$1,150 | US$1,520 |
| 2 | US$560 | US$900 | US$1,180 |
| 3 | US$520 | US$910 | US$1,105 |
| 4 | US$480 | US$820 | US$1,095 |
| 5 | US$470 | US$840 | US$1,070 |
| 6 | US$450 | US$790 | US$1,070 |
Race entry is not included: every runner registers in their own name on the official race website (US$80 for the full or half marathon, US$20 for the 5 km for international runners) before entries close at midnight on December 15, 2026.
What the Kili Marathon Race Weekend Includes
The price covers everything from landing at Kilimanjaro to take-off, apart from the race entry itself:
- Airport pickup and drop-off at Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Four nights at a Moshi hotel at the level you choose, with breakfast
- A driver for race-number collection and for race morning, to the start and back
- The Chemka hot springs day trip, with transport, guide, entrance fee and lunch
- WhatsApp support from our Moshi team throughout
Not Included in the Race Weekend Price
Pay these separately:
- Race entry, paid on the official race website
- International flights and visas (US$100 for US citizens)
- Tanzania's mandatory inbound travel insurance (US$44 per adult) and your own travel insurance
- Lunches and dinners except on the Chemka day, drinks, tips and personal items
Where to Stay in Moshi for the Kilimanjaro Marathon
All four nights are in the same Moshi hotel, so you unpack once and keep race morning simple. These are the hotels we use at each level, always "or similar", confirmed for your dates when you book:
| Level | Moshi hotels (or similar) |
|---|---|
| Budget | B&B Hotel, Jakaranda Homestay |
| Mid-range | Lamama Hotel, Weru Weru River Lodge, Siarick Cottage |
| Luxury | Kilimanjaro Wonders Hotel, The Maridadi Hotel |
Tell us if you want to be within walking distance of the MoCU Stadium or prefer a quieter lodge outside town; on race morning our driver takes you to the start either way. Race weekend fills Moshi quickly, so the earlier you book, the more choice you have.
Kilimanjaro Marathon Race Tips from Our Moshi Team
Our team lives and works in Moshi, the race town. A few things we tell every runner before the start:
- The course climbs first: about 290 m (950 ft) in the first 8 km of the full and half marathon. Start slowly.
- Heat: February mornings warm up quickly; drink at every water point, roughly every 4 km.
- Food: tell us if you need particular food the night before; most Moshi hotels can do pasta or rice.
- Full details: distances, number collection and the course are in our Kilimanjaro Marathon 2027 travel guide.
How to Book the Kili Marathon Race Weekend
Tell us your race distance, flight times, the number of runners and supporters and your hotel level through the form, on WhatsApp +255 678 992 599 or at jaynevytours@gmail.com; Moshi hotels fill up for race weekend, so the earlier the better. A 30% deposit confirms the booking, the balance is paid on arrival, and refunds follow our booking terms. Race entries are handled by the organizers and are not refundable.
Common Questions About the Kilimanjaro Marathon Race Weekend
Is the race entry included?
No. You register yourself on the official race website, where international runners pay US$80 for the full or half marathon and US$20 for the 5 km. We can help you with the form.
Can we arrive on Saturday instead?
Yes, if your flight lands in time for the last race-number collection at the MoCU Stadium, open on Saturday, February 6 until 5:00 pm. Friday is safer.
Can family or friends come without running?
Yes. Supporters share the hotel and transfers at the same price and can watch near the stadium finish.
How far is the airport from Moshi?
Kilimanjaro International Airport is about an hour's drive from Moshi.
Can we add a safari or a climb?
Yes. See our 10-day marathon and calving safari or the 12-day marathon and Machame climb, or ask us to add a few days.
Should You Book the 5-Day Kilimanjaro Marathon Weekend?
Yes, if you are flying in mainly for the race and want the logistics taken care of: four nights in Moshi, a driver for your race number and race morning, and a hot-spring recovery day, from US$900 per person.
If you can stay longer, the same race weekend is the start of all our longer trips: a calving season safari, a Kilimanjaro climb or a Zanzibar beach holiday. Either way, register before December 15, 2026, and book your hotel early.
