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The Marangu route, famously known as the “Coca-Cola” route as you can get a bottle of Coca-
Cola at each hut, is the original route established to climb Kilimanjaro. It is often billed as one of the easier walking routes – however, according to KINAPA it suffers from the lowest success rate
(42%) as too many climbers try to do it in only 5 days and fail because of poor acclimatisation.
Approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast, the Marangu route uses the same ascent
and descent route which means it is less scenic than the other routes.
For climbers who do not wish to camp, then Marangu is the only route that offers dormitory-style
hut accommodation. The huts have a communal dining room, simple washrooms and toilets
which lower down will be flushable, but as you move higher up the mountain will be “long drop”
loos. Although some climbers like the idea of staying in the huts rather than camping you need to
remember that on the Marangu route you will be sharing the hut with lots of other climbers in
open dormitory accommodation. The hut accommodation also means the Marangu route is one
of the best routes to make the attempt on Kilimanjaro during the rainy season
The Marangu route is a good six day hike for those who have not trekked much at high altitudes,
with an effective extra day’s acclimatisation, giving a better success rate. Experienced and
already acclimatised mountaineers may opt for the more difficult 5 day ascent along the Marangu
route.
Kilimanjaro International Airport (Google Map)
The Marangu route, famously known as the “Coca-Cola” route as you can get a bottle of Coca-
Cola at each hut, is the original route established to climb Kilimanjaro. It is often billed as one of
the easier walking routes – however, according to KINAPA it suffers from the lowest success rate
(42%) as too many climbers try to do it in only 5 days and fail because of poor acclimatisation.
Approaching Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast, the Marangu route uses the same ascent
and descent route which means it is less scenic than the other routes.
All trekkers need to organise their own flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). From
JRO we will arrange a private transfer to your hotel. That night or early the next morning you will
meet your local representative and have a full pre-climb briefing.
After breakfast we will collect you from your hotel for your transfer to Marangu Gate for
registration. Our porters prepare and pack our supplies and luggage before we start our ascent
on a cleared ridge trail through the rainforest. The forest, covered with mist and dripping with
beards of moss, is also where most of Kilimanjaro’s animals are found. We will spend our first
night at Mandara Hut, a group of wooden A-framed huts set in a forest clearing.
From Mandara Hut the trail passes through a short stretch of forest, skirting the base of the
Maundi Crater emerging into the transition zone from rain forest to moorland. After about 6 hours
we arrive at Horombo Hut.
We continue our ascent into the Alpine desert zone passing the last place where water is
available at 4130m. From Kibo Hut, the summit is now a further 1195m of ascent. We will make
our summit ascent tonight so we will go to go to bed early to get as much rest as possible.
We will wake up around 23:30 hours, and after some tea and biscuits we shuffle off into the
night, and this is where the going really gets tough. The first section of the trail consists of a
rocky path to the Hans Meyer point (5250m), also a good resting spot. The path then zigzags up
to Gilman’s Point (5681m), which is located on the crater rim. This section is very steep with a lot
of stone scree, requiring a great physical and mental effort.
From Gilman’s Point we will normally encounter snow all the way up to Uhuru Peak (5895m), the
highest point in Africa. Weather conditions on the summit will determine how long we will be able
to spend taking photographs before the 3 hours descent back to Kibo Hut. After a short rest we
gather all the gear we left behind for the ascent and head down to Horombo Hut, a further 3
hours. Later in the evening, we will enjoy our last dinner on the mountain and a well-earned
sleep.
Your final day on the trek, departing after breakfast we descend a further 1740m to Marangu
Gate to pick up your summit certificates from the Park Headquarters. Transfer to your hotel for a
well-earned shower and celebration.
After a much needed night’s rest, we will bid you goodbye. If you have arranged airport transfers
with us or a safari / Zanzibar trip, we will collect you in the morning for your onward journey.
