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At 5,895 m (19,340 ft), Mt Kilimanjaro is Africa’s highest peak and this adventure along the Marangu Route will get you to the top safely, quickly, and with your budget in mind. Overnight in mountain huts and awake ready to conquer the slopes. Affectionately known as the “Coca-Cola Route” due to its popularity, Marangu covers forests, moorlands, and “the Saddle” (a high-altitude desert), on its way to Kibo Hut. This is the quickest route to the summit — with a catch: The trail is well maintained but because of the quick ascent, the success rate is not as high as other routes. Local guides, cooks, and porters will provide support during your trek and at mountain huts along the way.

Inclusions:
  • 6 night guided adventure
  • Accommodation: Simple hotels (2 nts), mountain huts (4 nts)
  • 15 Meals – 6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
  • Experienced certified mountain guide, and support team for trek
  • Small Group: Max 12, avg 10.
Jan 12, 2025 from $3799 $3369
Feb 23, Mar 2, 2025 from $4129 $3739
Jun 22, 2025 from $3729 $3369
Jul 13,27, Aug 10, 2025 from $4299 $3899

Per person based on shared accommodation (single share only, own room option unavailable on this tour) Roundtrip Airfare to Kilomangaro additional, but can be added once available. Looking to take another route to the top, let us know and we can package that route instead.

1. Please be aware that this particular trip, is very popular due to the fact that it is short, the gradient is not as steep and that the accommodation consists of huts as opposed to camping, thus making it less costlier than compared to other routes. It is a quicker ascent with less opportunity & time for acclimatisation. Although the Marangu Route has a reasonably high success rate, the quick ascent can be more demanding on some, it differs from person to person.

2. LUGGAGE COMPLICATIONS FLYING INTO KILIMANJARO: It occasionally happens that luggage on international flights into Kilimanjaro does not arrive. Please be aware that this may happen, especially if you have a tight connection, are flying with different airlines with a connection, have a last minute flight change or re-route, or fly from or connect through another African centre. Please be prepared and keep all important documentation and valuables on your person. As well we recommend a change of clothes in your hand luggage. If unfortunately this does happen, and your luggage does not arrive, you should be entitled to a limited initial compensation from your airline. In Kilimanjaro, the arrival of lost luggage normally takes between 48 and 72 hours after the initial plane’s arrival. The airlines technically should be responsible to forward your luggage to you, to your hotel or elsewhere in Tanzania. You may find that you will be needed to start your trek and you still have not received your luggage. Considering that the customer service standards in Tanzania are different from home, and that we find that the airlines are not always pro-active in helping luggage in its care be reunited with its owner, it is recommended that you purchase or hire locally the needed items, and speak to your G Adventures representative to persist with your airline to retrieve your luggage. Once your luggage is retrieved, it should be able to be forwarded to you – depending where you are. Please note that any costs that you may incur for luggage retrieval or sending luggage are not the responsibility of G Adventures, though we will always strive to assist you in any way possible. You should always keep all receipts and documentation, and contact your airline or insurance provider for reimbursement.
3.YELLOW FEVER CERTIFICATE It may be required to show a Yellow Fever certificate upon entering the country visited. Please check in with your local health expert for advice on Yellow Fever and other inoculations required for this area. 4. Flying through London-Heathrow to East Africa? Please note that regardless of the rules in other centres, travellers flying from, or connecting in, London-Heathrow are currently only permitted one carry-on piece of luggage and one small personal bag (purse, laptop-size bag, briefcase) on board on flights to Nairobi. If you arrive to the security gate with 2 pieces, you will be forced to check-in one of them, which may result in complications noted above. This policy is in place as of the time of writing, though local rules and regulations may indeed change. It is thus advisable to contact your airline directly for the most up-to-date information. 5. A limited supply of equipment is available to rent directly from your Moshi hotel, however the quality varies. Be sure to thoroughly check the quality of your rented gear and to ensure that it is in correct working order. Whenever possible you should endeavor to bring your own clothing and equipment. 6. The power supply in Tanzania is nominally 240VAC, 50hz. Variable voltage, spikes and sporadic, unexpected, unscheduled power cuts of varying duration can be expected. 7. For extra expenses at your hotel, cash or visa card are the only accepted form of payment. Please note however, there will be extra charges for using your credit card. As a result of this it is preferable to settle all expenses in cash. 8. Please read the Health and Safety section below for an important message on Physical Fitness and Altitude and Acclimatization.
Group Leader Description
For your hike on Mt. Kilimanjaro, you will be lead by an experienced certified mountain guide. To round out the team, you will be joined by an assistant guide (for groups of more than one person), a cook, and a team of porters. Your guide has been trained in mountain guiding skills, first aid and emergency response, flora and fauna, and group management. All guides are licensed by KINAPA, the National Park Authority. Your cook is an experienced cook who will prepare a variety of nutritious, and hearty meals. As a general rule, each hiker will be accompanied by 2 porters, who assist in carrying both your bag and the team’s gear (tents, food, etc). Please note English is often the 3rd or 4th language of the Tanzanians in the area of Mt. Kilimanjaro, therefore your guide will speak a basic English. The porter will carry a maximum of 15kg of your belongings and 5kg of personal gear. All our Porters will carry a maximum of 20kg and there is a strict weigh in by the Kilimanjaro Park authority.

Map of the route for Mt Kilimanjaro Trek - Marangu Route

Day 1: Arrive in Moshi and transfer to your hotel.

Welcome meeting at 6pm with the local guide to go over last minute details of the trip. Please note: While it is our intention to adhere to the route described, there is a certain amount of flexibility built into the itinerary and on occasion it may be necessary, or desirable, to make alterations. On Day 1 of the tour you will be advised of any amendments. Accommodation: Stella Maris Lodge (or similar)

Day 2 Moshi/Mandara Huts (B/L/D)

Hike through the forested, lower slopes to Mandara escarpment. Most days the hiking will begin early in the morning, with hikes of around 5 to 6 hours. The guides will set a moderate pace, so as to allow for time to acclimatize to the altitude changes. Guides will continually repeat the words, “pole pole” (po-ly, po-ly), which means “go slowly” in Swahili. Enjoy the view while hiking through the lower terrain and possibly spot some of the exotic wildlife in the area. The Mandra Hut has sleeping bunks, running water and flushable toilets.Day 3 Mandara Huts/Horombo Huts (B/L/D) Hike through the heather and moorland zone to Horombo Hut which will take around 6 to 8 hours. Continue up through the upper rainforest zone and reach the moorland zone at 3000m (9842 ft). In this zone plants grow to outrageous heights like the giant lobelia and giant groundsel that can reach up to 5m (16 ft). Enjoy the view of the semi-alpine zone’s plants and ravines. Reach Horombo hut (3720m, 12205 ft) and get some rest.

Day 4 Horombo Huts/Kibo Huts (B/L/D)

Proceed onto the Kilimanjaro Saddle, through a desert like alpine zone, to Kibo Hut. This hike will take around 6 to 8 hours. Start the slow trek through the heathland and enter the alpine desert zone. Because of the increase in altitude, hike a slow pace today to allow time to get acclimatized but pay attention to any signs of altitude sickness. The ascent to the saddle of Mt Kilimanjaro is between the peaks of Kibo and Mwenzi, get a great view of Kibo after crossing the saddle. Rest for the night at Kibo Hut (4703m, 15430 ft) and prepare for the upcoming hike to the summit.

Day 5 Kibo Huts/Horombo Huts (B/L/D)

Night hike to the summit via Stella Point. Appreciate the beautiful sunrise from the roof of Africa, then descend back to Horombo Hut. Kibo Hut to Summit – 6h-8h 6km – Wake up just after midnight to start climbing to the summit. Gillman’s Point (5861m, 19229 ft) on the crater rim is easier to reach when the scree slope is frozen so the climb is best done before daylight. The view of the sunrise from the summit is also worth the early start. From Gilman’s Point, continue on to Uhuru Peak, the highest point in Africa. Summit to Horombo Huts Camp – Uhuru – Horombo Huts 5h-6h 15km – Take a quick moment to enjoy the view and celebrate a successful climb before starting the descent to Horombo Huts Camp. Enjoy a well-deserved rest during the last night on the mountain. 

Day 6 Horombo Huts/Moshi (B/L)

Descend the mountain, passing through villages and plantations on the slopes en route to Moshi. Meet the mamas of the Moshi Women’s Cooperative, a G supported project, for a climbing ceremony. Transfer by shuttle bus to Moshi. Time to relax, take a shower, and celebrate with a drink. Cheers to climbing Mt Kilimanjaro! Before dinner, you will be welcomed and congratulated on your climb by the mamas of the Moshi Women’s Cooperative, a project supported by G Adventures. They will present you with a gift and a certificate to remember all your efforts on the mountain. Horombo Huts Camp to Marangu Gate – Horombo Huts – Marangu Gate 5h-6h 20km – Continue the descent to the Marangu Gate, passing by the Mandara escarpment on the way. Enjoy the easier descent and hikers who successfully reached Uhuru Peak will receive a summit certificate. Private Vehicle – Marangu Gate – Moshi 45m – Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Accommodation: Stella Maris Lodge (or similar)

Day 7 Moshi (B)

Depart at any time. Tour ends at approximately 8:00 am. Meals included:  Breakfast

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Tanzania. Canadians need a visa to visit Tanzania. At main ports of entry, you can get a visa on arrival for a maximum of 3 months. When you arrive, ensure that immigration officials validate your visa by stamping your passport or writing any required information in it. Some visas are valid for a period shorter than three months. If you are a frequent visitor or business traveller, apply for a multiple-entry visa before the start of your trip.

Health

*When travelling outside Canada, you may be at risk for a number of vaccine preventable illnesses. You should consult a health care provider or visit a travel health clinic preferably six weeks before you travel.  Due to limited supply of selected vaccines,  consider visiting earlier.  Some countries require proof of immunization in order to enter. It is prudent to assess your personal health status with a travel clinic or your family doctor before booking vacation, some immunizations have restrictions.

Terms & Conditions

All rates are per person, based on double occupancy in Canadian dollars (unless otherwise stated) New bookings only. Space and price may be limited and subject to availability at the time of booking.  Errors or omissions may occur on the above information with no guarantee of being honoured. Terms and conditions apply. Tax is not included in the above base fare. Above tax amount includes non-refundable $30 per adult Booking Management Fee. $50 per adult cancellation fee. Not included in the above rates: Xpresspost fee, recommended medical, cancellation or baggage insurance. Child rate is applicable when travelling with 2 paying adults sharing 1 hotel room, using the existing bedding. Price Match Policy: Travel Best Bets makes every effort to remain competitive by offering our ‘Match or Beat Any Price’ offer however due to certain restrictions  there will be some product we cannot match or beat. Please note the star ratings found on www.travelbestbets.com are determined by Travel Best Bets based on a number of factors and may not match the star rating found in the Tour Operator’s brochure. Please view our star ratings by clicking here. Due to an increasing volume of disputed bookings, we will only accept payment for air only travel to India, the Philippines and the continent of Africa through the following means: book and pay cash in person or by direct deposit into our business account – once the transaction is verified and a copy of the receipt emailed or faxed to our office, we will confirm the booking. Please contact us for details on how to book using this method. Please contact [email protected] for photo credit information. BPCPA #3287