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 |
Feb 23, Mar 2, 2025 | from |
Jun 22, 2025 | from |
Jul 13,27, Aug 10, 2025 | from |
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.
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.