The Marangu is one of the oldest and most popular Kilimanjaro routes. It's sometimes called the Coca-Cola route because you stay in huts and can buy a Coke en route.The Marangu route approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro from the southeast. Overal,l it's a relatively easy route, having very few steep climbs. But it doesn't let you acclimatise well, so trekkers using this route often develop altitude sickness and don't make it to the summit.The Marangu route can be completed over five or six days and is 72 km (45 miles) in total. It approaches the summit of Kilimanjaro by ascending the southeastern slope. The Marangu is the only one of the seven Kilimanjaro routes to offer hutted accommodation. On all of the other routes, you must camp. (That said, you could choose to camp on the Marangu route if you wish.) Given the hut situation, Marangu trekkers are the only ones who use the same route for their descent. This makes the Marangu the route with the least varied scenery. The scenery that you do see is nonetheless very beautiful! The Marangu route sees you climb through a handful of distinct climatic zones, namely rainforest, moorland, alpine desert and arctic summit. The graph below shows the six-day Marangu route in profile. The five-day route profile doesn't have a dip in its profile – instead, it's just one steady incline. As we discuss later on, this feature, where you climb up and then drop back down in elevation, is actually very good at helping you to acclimatise well.
This path provides trekkers with the classic Kilimanjaro climbing experience, offering sweeping views and a wonderful hiking adventure all the way to the summit of Uhuru Peak. That said, it also has some unique aspects that set it apart from any of the other routes as well, giving Marangu route a character and feeling that is entirely its own.One of the more interesting aspects of Marangu Route is that it is the only route up Mount Kilimanjaro that doesn’t allow camping, so instead of sleeping in tents, trekkers stay in permanent huts instead. These dormitory-style shelters provide extra protection from the wind and rain, which makes this route a popular one for travelers climbing during the rainy season, which comes in April and May. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.While staying at those huts, trekkers will sleep in bunk beds equipped with a simple mattress and pillow. They’ll also be able to purchase an array of candy bars, bottled water, and soft drinks, which is why Marangu route is often referred to as the “Coca-Cola Route.” Marangu Route offers a slow, steady climb to each of the daily camps, which has given it the reputation for being the easiest trekking route on Kilimanjaro.
How Difficult is the Marangu Route? This route is attempted by many novice hikers every year as it offers comfortable hut accommodations, as opposed to other routes that require you to sleep in mountain tents. Many people attest that this route is less difficult compared to other hikes to the top of Kilimanjaro.
Marangu route common misconception for trekkers is perceive a 5-day hike to be easier than a 6-day hike. However, the 5-day options can be very difficult as it does not allow for much time to acclimate to the altitude.
The 6-day option is much easier, but a good level of fitness is still required.
The exact distance on the Marangu Route is 82km or 50 miles. The shortest number of days required for the Marangu Route is 5 days, however, when you take into consideration the arrival and departure days, it is 9-10 days. As the Marangu Route is the shortest route on the mountain, it is best to complete the journey over 6 days to increase your chances of success. As it is one of the shortest routes on the mountain, the Marangu Route has the lowest summit success rates. This is mainly because of the unprofessional local tour guides who take groups up the mountain on the shorter 5-day hike. Because of this, the 5-day average success rate is 50%! We advise our hikers with this in mind, so we only take the 6-day option which increases the success rate to over 90%!
The cost to climb the Marangu Route on Mount Kilimanjaro typically ranges from $1,650 to $3,000 USD per person, depending on the operator, group size, and inclusions. This price generally covers park fees, accommodation (in huts on the Marangu route), meals, guides, and porters.
Popularity & Usage Historically, Marangu was the most popular route and still remains a frequent choice. For example, Ultimate Kilimanjaro® reports that among general tourists, about 40% begin their climb via Marangu, with Machame just ahead at ~45% .One particularly striking statistic: 90% of climbers reportedly start at Marangu Park Gate each year, though this number may vary between sources. .More recent overviews place it as the second-most popular route, especially among budget operators, though Machame may now claim the top spot among routes favored by climbers seeking higher success rates and better scenery.
What Are Our Impressions of The Marangu Route?
If completed in five days, ascent is rapid and chances of altitude sickness increase. Four?day pushes from low elevation to nearly 6,000 m are common and risky.A six-day itinerary with a rest day at Horombo dramatically improves acclimatization and summit rates. The Marangu Route is often described as the most accessible path, known as the “Coca?Cola Route”, thanks to its gentle incline, well?defined trail, and dormitory?style huts instead of camping.
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