From CAD 4,515
Guarantee
Small Group
Challenging
Rating
(10 reviews)
Experience Overview
Take on Kilimanjaro on an eight-day trekking adventure. This is the most popular and direct of the mountain routes and the only one serviced by mountain huts to provide protection from the elements. With one guide for every two passengers and a team of porters, all you have to do is focus on the incredible views and keep your footing, while the crew keeps you safe and sound. Hike through forests and alpine meadows, over rocky ravines and past lunar landscapes to the spectacular summit of Africa's highest peak – the panoramic views from the top of Mt Kilimanjaro must be seen to be believed.
Highlights
- Sleep in mountain huts during your trek and enjoy an included acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut to give you the best chance of reaching the summit.
- Travelling with experienced guides – the best on the mountain – plus trained porters, you'll be in good hands, with one guide for every two trekkers.
- Passing through vast grasslands, giant cacti fields and alpine meadows, all against dramatic mountain backdrops, the Marangu Route is popular for good reason.
- Hike Kilimanjaro's climactic last stretch by lamplight and give yourself as much chance as possible to watch a sunrise over icefields from behind Africa’s highest peak.
- We’re an official partner with the Kilimanjaro Porters Assistance Project. Hike easier knowing that while our porters are taking care of you, there’s someone looking out for them.
Trip Details
Product Code: 3155
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Basic
Transport: Minibus
Guide Language: English
Supplier Code: YKXM
Starts: Marangu, Tanzania, United Republic Of
Finishes: Marangu, Tanzania, United Republic Of
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical rating:
Challenging
Includes
Meals: Breakfasts (7), Lunch (6), Dinner (7)Accommodation: Hotel (2 nights),Mountain hut (5 nights)
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD 4515 (CAD 564 /day)
Itinerary
Jambo! Welcome to Tanzania. Your hike begins in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Marangu. The hotel is a short walk from the village’s bustling market and some excellent coffee shops. It is also very close to some beautiful waterfalls and ancient Chagga caves. Please make sure you are at the hotel by early evening, as your trip starts with a full briefing and kit inspection by an experienced Kilimanjaro climber. This will take place before dinner, usually around 6 pm. In the event that one of your fellow travellers is late, the meeting may have to be rescheduled for the following morning.
Included Activities:
- Complimentary Sleeping Bag and walking pole hire ( must be requested at time of booking )
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Trek Briefing
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
After a hearty breakfast, make your way to Marangu Gate, the entrance of the Mt Kilimanjaro National Park (1860 m) and meet your guides and porters. With introductions and assignment of porter loads taken care of, it’s time to embark on your trek. Commonly known as the 'Coca Cola' route, the Marangu Route is the oldest track on Kilimanjaro. Look out for the resident wildlife and enjoy the vast landscape as you walk.
Included Activities:
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Return transfers from hotel to park gate
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Porterage of 1 bag (9kg/20lb max)
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Emergency oxygen and comprehensive first aid kits
- Fully catered trek including National Park entrance fees, climbing fee, mountain huts & rescue services (5 days)
- Mount Kilimanjaro - Services of experienced English speaking mountain guides (first-aid qualified) cooks and porters (a minimum of 1 guide to every 2)
Accommodation:
- Mountain hut (Number of Nights: 1)
Your second day on the mountain involves another long hike over a slightly steeper stretch. The total distance from Mandara to the Horombo huts is 12 kilometres (approximately 5to 7 hours). Today you will see the rainforest give way to open and rolling alpine meadows dotted with giant heather trees. Once out of the forest canopy, the twin snow-tipped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi lie directly ahead. These are two of the three great cones of Kilimanjaro (the other being Shira). During the day’s walk we will traverse several ravines before reaching the hut, which is set in a rocky valley. There is time to enjoy a wide variety of vegetation and changing landscapes on the way to Horombo Hut (3780 metres). We will spend the next two nights here at the hut.
Accommodation:
- Mountain hut (Number of Nights: 1)
After breakfast, walk towards Mawenzi Hut, passing the unusual Zebra Rocks on the way. It’s a steep climb up a grassy slope, but well worth it: the views over the area towards Kibo are second-to-none. Afterwards, return to Horombo for lunch. Spend the afternoon relaxing and acclimatising to the altitude, or ask your guides about short walks in the area. Take advantage of the rest day here and drink plenty of water – the next couple of days will be pretty intense!
Accommodation:
- Mountain hut (Number of Nights: 1)
Today you’ll walk the 10 kilometres or so from Horombo to Kibo Hut (approximately 5–7 hours). As the journey progresses you will notice the landscape gradually becoming more rugged and rocky, and the air noticeably thinner. We will have to soften our pace a little to accommodate these environmental changes. Marvel at giant groundsels and lobelias while you travel across the sparse moorland. Skirt Mawenzi Peak and marvel at the stark lunar landscape of the Saddle, reaching Kibo Hut in afternoon (4740 m), take the opportunity to have an early night in preparation for a very early (or late?) wake-up call.
Accommodation:
- Mountain hut (Number of Nights: 1)
Your guides will wake you up at 11 pm and hot tea will be served. Prepare for the last leg of the trek – to the summit. The distance from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak is six kilometres (approximately 6–8 hours), and the descent to Horombo will be approximately the same amount of time. The trek begins beneath the stars as you zigzag your way up a large scree slope, guided only by torch light, to reach Gilman's Point (5685 m). With some luck, arrive in time for breathtaking views of the sun rising behind Mawenzi Peak. This is the stretch that most people find the hardest, and you should be prepared for a very cold morning. The dramatic spectacle of the sun rising over the ice fields of the crater will make the early start worthwhile. For those who still have the energy, it's a further walk (approximately 2 hours) along the rim of the crater to Uhuru Peak (5896 m), the highest point in Africa. From here there are amazing views of the crater, ice fields and plains below. After photos and time to catch your breath, descend back to Horombo Hut for a well-earned rest.
Accommodation:
- Mountain hut (Number of Nights: 1)
Continue your descent through alpine meadows and rainforest to the park gate. The distance from Horombo to Marangu Gate is 20 kilometres (approximately 5–6 hours). Here your transport awaits and you will return to the hotel for a relaxing shower – a real treat after the physical exertions of the last few days! Over a celebratory meal we can relive and share our experiences of the past five days on the mountain.
Accommodation:
- Hotel (Number of Nights: 1)
There are no activities or trekking planned for today. A transfer to Kilimanjaro Airport or a shuttle to Nairobi can be arranged locally – please speak to your group leader about this at the welcome meeting.
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Tour Operator
Intrepid Travel
Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.
In Business Since 1989
Reviews
Tamsin - Traveled, October 2024
A brilliant trip with such helpful, kind, and safety focused leaders who made sure we all made it to the summit! I couldn’t have asked for a better trip - thank you!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/01/2024
Madeline - Traveled, October 2024
The hardest and most amazing experience of my life. Would 100% recommend but be ready for it to be difficult. Our leader Angela made the trip run so smoothly and was all around amazing!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/12/2024
Anne Therese - Traveled, August 2024
Excellent trip although tough physically and mentally, it’s a steep climb! The full crew of guides ( Rocky, Venti & Walter) and cook ( Nixon) and all the porters made this an amazing experience. If you are thinking of doing it then do it! Be prepared for it. Thank you
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/16/2024
James - Traveled, July 2024
We were well taken care of and fed by the entire crew. Incredible life experience all thanks to the efforts and hard work of everyone around us. Highly recommend it - a real challenge but so worth it!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/03/2024
Angela - Traveled, July 2024
The Kilimanjaro trek was an absolutely superb week spent with a wonderful staff team and a super 6 excited to trek the might mountain. Kili was everything I hoped it would be and would bring to my life. So proud and delighted to have made the summit. Team work makes the dream work! Just wonderful. Huts were cool, food delicious and the level of care was great. Thoroughly recommend taking on this challenge!!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/16/2024
Robyn - Traveled, May 2025
The intrepid crew were fantastic. Joshua was an excellent lead guide, very professional and made sure everything was organised fantastically. The other lead guides, Eric, Vindi, Rocky and Angela were brilliant. They are all very knowledgeable, placed the safety of the tour group first always and Al seats made sure we had everything we needed for a successful climb. The porters were exceptional, in particular Florian, Richard, Rasim and Joseph. Florian was a stand out individual, attentive, kind and enthusiastic, greeting everyone each morning with a smile and always helping where he could with very good clear English. He is a credit to Intrepid.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/06/2025
Daniel - Traveled, March 2025
An unforgettable experience! The Kilimanjaro trek was both challenging and rewarding, made even better by our incredible leader, Rocky. His kindness, professionalism, and unwavering support made all the difference. He truly cared about our journey and well-being. I couldn’t have asked for a better guide. Highly recommend!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/12/2025
PATTIGRACE - Traveled, December 2024
A childhood dream turned reality! Summiting Kilimanjaro with the incredible team at Intrepid was an unforgettable experience. Their expertise, encouragement, and passion made every step rewarding. From breathtaking views to personal triumphs, it was a journey of growth and inspiration. Highly recommend Intrepid for life-changing adventures!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/13/2024
Jade - Traveled, October 2024
Wonderful experience with intrepid for this once in a lifetime hike. The team were so helpful, positive and encouraging and a big reason we all made it up the mountain.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/02/2024
Geraldine - Traveled, October 2024
Choosing Intrepid for my Kilimanjaro climb was perfect. The exceptional team, especially guides Vendelin, Selina, and Aloyse, made the journey unforgettable. From Nickson’s amazing meals to Joseph’s morning coffee, every detail was covered. A special moment at Gilman’s Point with Vendelin’s ginger tea gave me strength to reach Uhuru Peak.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/06/2024
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