Marangu Route : On Kilimanjaro, the oldest and most well-known path is the Marangu route, sometimes referred to as the “Coca-Cola” route. This is the only route that provides sleeping huts in dormitory-style lodging as an alternative to camping when hiking Mount Kilimanjaro. Each of the Mandara and Kibo huts has 60 bunk beds, while the Horombo Hut has 120 bunk beds. Sleeping bags are still necessary even when guests are given mattresses and pillows. The huts include shared dining areas and simple restrooms. The lower huts have flushing toilets and running water, while Kibo Hut has lengthy drop toilets and buckets of water.
Marangu is preferred by many because, due to its mild slope and straightforward trail, it is thought to be the simplest path on the mountain. However, the route’s short duration makes altitude adaptation challenging. Due to the ascent and descent being on the same route, Marangu is regrettably less picturesque than the other routes. Due to this, it is also the busiest route. The Marangu route, which approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast, follows the same ascent and descent path, making it less picturesque than the other routes.
Although some climbers prefer the concept of hut accommodation over camping, you must keep in mind that on the Marangu route you will be sharing the hut with many other climbers in an open dormitory setting. In addition, because of the hut accommodations, the Marangu route is among the best route to climb Kilimanjaro during the rainy season. For people who haven’t hiked much at high elevations, the Marangu route is a decent six-day trip with an effective extra day of acclimatization, improving success rates. Mountaineers with experience and acclimatization may choose the more challenging 5-day ascent along the Marangu route.
Marangu route Advantages:
- Great panoramic views of the surroundings
- Attractive pricing
- Most popular Kilimanjaro hiking route
- Varied terrain
- Overnight stays in huts
- Excellent choice for wet-weather climbing.
Things to know and consider in Marangu route:
- Short acclimatization
- The 5-day trek has a very low summit success rate.
- The same trail is used for ascent and descent making it busy sometimes.
- The trail is often busy.
HIKING MOUNT KILIMANJARO THROUGH MARANGU ROUTE
Marangu Route Kilimanjaro hiking Itinerary: Below is the typical itinerary for the 6-day Marangu Route.
DAY 01–MARANGU GATE (1,870 METERS) TO MANDARA HUT (2,700 METERS)
On the southeast side of Mount Kilimanjaro, at Marangu Gate (1,870 meters), is where the Marangu Route hiking begins. Usually, you will be taken from Moshi town or Arusha city to the gate; the trip takes an hour and goes through the Marangu settlement. It takes more than two hours to go to Marangu Gate from Arusha.
After arriving at the gate, where is the starting point of Kilimanjaro hiking through Marangu route You may register with the Kilimanjaro National Park officials, meet your trekking group, and watch porters put together and weigh the loads of equipment they will be carrying up the mountain at the gate. The first day involves a 5-7-hour moderate ascent through the Kilimanjaro jungle.
- Hiking distance: 8 kilometers (5 miles)
- Trekking time: 4-6 hours.
- Zone: rainforest
The Mandara A-frame Huts (2,700 meters) are where you spend your first night. They have clean toilets, solar-powered lights, and water that is piped in from a mountain stream nearby. 6–8 bunk beds are in each cabin. We advise carrying earplugs if you have trouble falling asleep.
DAY 02–MANDARA HUT (2,700 METERS) TO HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS)
The second day of the Marangu Route starts early in the morning. Breakfast will be provided, and you should leave no later than 8:00am. The journey continues through the rain forest, circles the Maundi Crater, and then abruptly enters the low alpine moorland region. To receive your first complete perspective of Kibo, you should most definitely take advantage of the opportunity to climb up the Maundi Crater if the weather is clear.
At this altitude, the landscape is dotted with enormous lobelias, which you may observe while on the hike. Day two is completed in roughly 6 to 8 hours and involves a long journey (11.5 km or 7 miles). You will be given dinner and shown to your accommodations for the night in Horombo Hut (3,720 meters).
- Hiking distance: 12 kilometers/7 miles
- Trekking time: 6-8 hours.
- Zone: Rainforest/Low-alpine zone
DAY 03- ACCLIMATIZATION DAY
You’ll stay at the Horombo Huts for an additional day to give your body time to adjust to the rising altitude. If you are feeling very weary or exhibiting any symptoms of illness, you must remain at camp and rest. If you are comfortable with the altitude, however, you are welcome to hike up to Mawenzi Hut and take in the breathtaking vista of Kibo and Mawenzi. As you stroll down the path, take in the stunning scenery by maintaining a steady pace. Alternately, you may travel to the amazing Zebra Rocks. This involves a 310-meter ascent.
- Hiking distance: 1-2 hours
- Overnight Elevation: 14,400
- Habitat: heath/moorland
DAY 04—HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS) TO KIBO HUT (4,700 METERS)
Early in the morning, you will set off from Horombo Hut and begin the roughly 10-kilometer ascent of 1,000 meters to Kibo Hut. There are two ways to go to Kibo. Forking to the right is the first path, or upper route. On their last day of acclimatization before reaching Mawenzi Hut, six-day trekkers would have taken this route. Given that it is simpler and takes around an hour less, you will probably take the lower left-hand path. The final water station is 4,130 meters on the left-hand route.
You won’t find another watering hole until you return to Horombo Hut from the top, so be sure to replenish your water supplies now (you are able to buy bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut). You will be given a light meal at Kibo Hut, and you should aim to get to bed by 19:00 because you will be awakened at 23:30 to begin the 1,150-meter journey to Uhuru Peak. Ahead of time, make sure you have everything you need, like insulated water, food, a headlamp, and a camera.
- Hiking distance: 10 kilometers (6 miles)
- Trekking time: 5-7 hours.
- Zone: Low-alpine zone/High-alpine zone
DAY 05–KIBO HUT (4,700 METERS) TO UHURU PEAK (5,895 METERS) AND THEN HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS).
Summit night is the first part of day five. You will be provided with hot tea and biscuits after being awakened, and you will then start your trek to the summit. To get to the first checkpoint, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters, the route takes a difficult trail. After that, it continues to zigzag for around two to three hours until you reach Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters), which is on the crater rim of Kibo. At this point, you most certainly feel really worn out.
Spend some time sleeping and eating a snack to refuel. The final push is challenging and calls for mental toughness. For the final 200-meter ascent, concentrate on moving slowly and deliberately.
- Hiking Distance: 5.5km (3 miles) uphill followed by a 15km (or 8 mile) descent
- Trekking time: 6–8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut
- Zone: glacial zone, high alpine zone, and low alpine zone
You won’t have much time at Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters), so be sure to snap all the photos you want to have before starting the descent back to Kibo Hut and Horombo Hut. You should expect to walk for 12 to 16 hours overall. One of your longest days will be well worth it, though! The good news is that you can purchase beer at Horombo.
DAY 06–HOROMBO HUT (3,720 METERS) TO MARANGU GATE (1,870 METERS)
Day six covers over 20 miles from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate but typically only takes 7 hours to finish. At this point, you will be worn out and spend the majority of the trip daydreaming about taking a hot shower that evening. You will be given your summiting certificate at Marangu Gate, either for Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you managed to get).
At this stage, it’s customary to give your support staff their well-deserved tips. After that, you’ll be driven back to your accommodation/ hotel either in Moshi town or Arusha city so the party can start.
- Hiking distance: 20 kilometers (12.5 miles)
- Trekking time: 6-8 hours.
- Zones include the low alpine zone and the rainforest.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT MARANGU ROUTE
How difficult is the Marangu Route?
Every year, many inexperienced hikers attempt this route since it provides cozy hut accommodations as opposed to other routes that require you to overnight in mountain tents. Many people claim that this approach is easier in comparison to previous walks to the top of Kilimanjaro. Trekkers frequently believe that a 5-day hike is shorter than a 6-day hike, which is a common fallacy. The 5-day choices, however, might be particularly challenging because there isn’t much time to adjust to the altitude. Although the 6-day option is simpler, it still requires a high degree of athleticism.
What is the distance between Marangu route and how many days does it take to complete the hike?
The Marangu Route travels 82 kilometers, or 50 miles, in total. The Marangu Route requires a minimum of 5 days, but when the arrival and departure days are taken into account, it actually takes 9–10 days. Since the Marangu Route is the mountain’s shortest route, it is preferable to finish the ascent over the course of six days to improve your chances of success.
What is the Marangu Route Summit Success Rate?
The Marangu Route has the lowest success percentage in reaching the top because it is one of the mountain’s shorter paths. This is primarily due to the amateurish local tour guides who lead people on the shorter 5-day trip up the mountain. The average success percentage over the course of five days is thus 50%. In order to boost the success percentage to above 90%, we only recommend the 6-day option to our hikers.
What scenery will I see on the Marangu Route?
Before reaching the glacier zone, the Marangu path ascends via the moorlands, the alpine regions, and the rainforest. The only trip that permits you to return the same way you came is this one, which is also incredibly scenic.
What is the best time to travel and hike along the Marangu Route?
The ideal time to climb Kilimanjaro is between July and September. During this time, the weather is the most consistent, and it is less likely to rain. The mountain may be climbed at any time of the year because it is so close to the equator. The wettest months are April and May, so exercise caution and stay away from these times.
Accessing the Marangu route: How do I get to Marangu route?
Flying to Kilimanjaro International Airport is the best option for climbers based in the United State or the United Kingdom. KLM offers flights to Kilimanjaro International Airport from most of the larger US international airports as well as all of the major UK airports. UK flights often depart early in the morning, make a stopover at Amsterdam’s principal airport, Luchthaven Schiphol, and land at Kilimanjaro International Airport in the late afternoon or evening.
Moshi region, often known as the entrance to Mount Kilimanjaro, serves as the starting point for all of journeys. Moshi is situated on the mountain’s southern flank. Kilimanjaro International Airport is about 25 miles away from Moshi, and if you book with us at Focus East Africa Tours we will organize transportation from the airport to your hotel as part of your trek package. Transport typically takes three quarters of an hour and is available whenever, even in the early morning or late at night.
Although Moshi is a great option for lodging during your trip, it does get busy during the high season, so be sure to make your reservation with us as soon as you can. Instead of preparing to climb the mountain the next morning after such a long journey, it is advisable to take a rest day to recover and get yourself and your equipment ready.
Some climbers from the United Kingdom opt to fly with British Airways or Kenyan Airways into Nairobi. These flights are only accessible from London’s Heathrow airport. Climbers arriving in Nairobi city typically reserve a transfer aircraft with Precision Air, Air Kenya, Air Tanzania, or Ethiopian Airways to Kilimanjaro International Airport.
Because Kenya’s Nairobi Airport is frequently uncomfortable and transfer times can occasionally be very long, we do not advise flying through Nairobi. Additionally, it has a bad reputation for slow baggage transfers and poor baggage handling between flights.
For now, Turkish Airlines, Air Emirates, and Qatar also offer service to Kilimanjaro International Airport. However, for travelers from the UK, these flights frequently have lengthy delays and take off late at night. We do suggest Turkish Airlines, Air Emirates, and Qatar from North America because climbers flying from the US frequently comment on better service and experiences there.
Vayama offers top-notch service on flights from JRO to East Africa, including Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, or Zanzibar, and is a wise choice if you want to explore more of this stunning continent before flying back home. Many tourists plan a beach vacation in exotic Zanzibar Island to unwind after their Kilimanjaro ascent. Booking your return flight out of Dar es Salaam city, followed by an internal flight to Zanzibar, and then returning to Dar es Salaam for your trip home, according to us, is the easiest method to arrange transportation for that.
