Marangu Route

The Marangu Route — Is also known as the “Coca Cola route”. It is the oldest on Kilimanjaro, and is also one of the most popular. Mainly because it is the only route on the mountain that has huts provided for hikers. There are 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts, and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.

Marangu is one of the more popular, first-born, shorter-timed routes utilized by uninformed holiday trekkers in Africa who are on a low budget, and those mislead by its “easy” reputation. Ironically, its incorrect easy reputation is actually meant for mountain operators who find it easy to organize this route as they do not have to supply extra camping equipment and additional porters to carry the latter, allowing them to save on operational costs. Accommodation is done in permanent huts where basic hostel-style beds and pillows are provided. Though, climbers need to bring their own sleeping bags and other personal mountain equipment like every other route. Known as the “Coca Cola” route for the wayside huts that originally supplied this commodity, it has the worst success rate of all Kilimanjaro summit routes because it has fewer duration days to ascend and also the speed at which altitude is gained, (around 2800 meters or 9185 feet in 3 days) considering it is one of the longest in distance to the summit (around 72 km ascent and descent). Some operators still offer a 3.5 day ascent and 1.5 day descent. More responsible teams take longer, but still more than 60% of all Marangu climbers fail to summit, even though of an extra acclimatization day to take a short uphill ascent for 3 hours and 1.5 hour descent return for an extra night at a previous hut. This is because the height differential is insufficient to be really effective as there has been a steep ascent of a total of 2800 meters for the first three consecutive days.

Starting from Marangu Gate, the trail enters tropical rain forest where light clothing is sufficient. Trekking poles are needed if paths are muddy. At Mandara Huts, you may hike to Maundi Crater for a spectacular view. The route offer tolerable beds in huts with solar power, but these are lacking in security as team staff are not able to remain near their clients to guard their possessions. The huts are nodal points for shared visitors annually ascending or descending on their ultimate Tanzanian hiking vacation. The same trail is used on descent; therefore, you are missing out on seeing a different wilderness path on your return down. At the first hut, Mandara, there are 70 beds and 148 at Horombo. These two basic quarters have running water and bathrooms. But overcrowding is a problem with queuing for dining and hygiene facilities. Drinks are available on route, but, for logistical reasons, it increases in price with height. Horombo Hut is in the heathland region where towering lobelia and giant groundsel give way to smaller alpine heathers. Sunrise is surreal, days are searing when not cloaked in mist, and nights are freezing. Between Mawenzi and Kibo, the saddle area is a moonscape. Climbers falter between here and Gilman’s Point, where around 60% turn back due to altitude sickness. At Kibo, the last stop before the summit, there are 58 bed for a reason (low success rate of the trail), but toilets are long-drop outhouses. Despite its drawbacks, Marangu is still the least cost option for anyone wishing to climb Kilimanjaro, and who has completed an acclimatizing ascent trek of Mount Meru organized via Uhuru Trails by KilimanjaroTravels.com.

Typically tour operators provide mattresses and pillows for climbers (sleeping bags however, need to be brought separately by trekkers).

The Marangu route can be completed in 5 days; however, it is recommended that climbers take an extra day to acclimatise at Horombo Hut.

The main setback on the Marangu Route is that the ascent is exactly the same as the descent and therefore there is not as much variety in settings compared to other routes. It also means that the route can get very crowded.

The Marangu Route success rate also tends to be low as it is usually chosen by inexperienced and unprepared trekkers who are misled to believe it is the easiest route.

Marangu Route Map

Day-By-Day Marangu Route Itinerary

Day 1 – Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to Mandara Hut (2,700 meters)

Distance: ~8km / 5 miles

Trekking time: 4-6 hours

Zone: Rainforest

The Marangu Route begins at Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) on the South-East side of Mount Kilimanjaro (see map above). Typically you will be driven to the gate from Moshi, which takes approximately an hour and passes through the village of Marangu. If approaching from Arusha it takes over two hours to reach Marangu gate. At the gate you will meet your trekking team, register with the Kilimanjaro National Park authorities and witness porters assembling and weighing packs of gear that they will be carrying up the mountain. Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest and takes 5-7 hours to complete. Your first night is spent in the Mandara A-frame Huts (2,700 meters) which come equipped with solar generated lighting, flush toilets and water piped in from a nearby mountain stream. Each hut has 6-8 bunk beds. If you are a light sleeper we suggest bringing ear plugs!

Day 2 – Mandara Hut (2,700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)

Distance: ~11.5km / 7 miles

Trekking time: 6-8 hours

Zone: Rainforest / Low Alpine Zone

Day two on the Marangu Route begins with an early start. You will be served breakfast and should be on your way by latest 08:30. The trek continues through the rainforest, around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone. If the weather is clear you should definitely take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo. During the trek you will also see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude. Day two takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete and covers a significant distance (11.5km / 7miles). At Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) you will be served dinner and shown to your sleeping quarters for the night.

Day 3 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)

Distance: ~10km / 6 miles

Trekking time: 5-7 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone / High alpine zone

Note: Day three on the Marangu Route is an acclimatisation day for 6 day trekkers. Most six day trekkers venture on a 4-5 hour hike to Mawenzi Hut and back, which is good for acclimatization!

For 5 day trekkers you will depart from Horombo Hut early and begin a 1,000 meter ascent to Kibo Hut which covers a distance of approximately 10km. There are two routes to Kibo. The first, or upper route, forks to the right. Six day trekkers would have trekked this route on their acclimatization day to Mawenzi Hut. You will most likely take the lower left hand route as it is easier and nearly an hour shorter. On the left hand route you will pass the last water point at 4,130 meters. Make sure to fill up your water reserves here as you will not find another watering point until you get back to Horombo Hut from the summit (you are able to buy bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut). At Kibo Hut you will be served an early dinner and should try get to bed before 19:00 as you will be awoken around 23:30 to start your 1,150 meter ascent to Uhuru Peak. Make sure that you have all your gear ready for a prompt departure, including insulated water, snacks, your headlamp and camera.

Day 4 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)

Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 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

Day four begins with summit night. After being awoken you will be served some hot tea and biscuits and will then begin your summit ascent. The route follows a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. It then continues to zigzag for a good 2-3 hours until you get to Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) on Kibo’s crater rim. You will most likely be very tired at this point. Take some time to rest and refuel with a snack. The final push is tough and requires mental stamina. Focus on moving slowly and deliberately for the final 200 meter ascent. At Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) you will not be able to stay too long so make sure to get all the pictures you want to take and then begin your descent back to Kibo Hut, and onto Horombo Hut. In total you will be trekking upwards of 12-16 hours. It will be one of the longest days of your life but well worth it! Here’s the good news, beers can be bought at Horombo!

Day 5 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)

Distance: ~20km / 12.5 miles

Trekking time: 6-8 hours

Zone: Low alpine zone and rainforest

Day five from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate is nearly 20km but usually only takes 7 hours to complete. You will be exhausted at this stage and spend most of the hike imagining the hot shower you will be having that evening. At Marangu Gate you will be presented with your certificate, either for Gilman’s Point or Uhuru Peak (depending on how far you managed to get). It is customary to present your trekking team with their hard-earned tips at this point. You will then be driven back to your hotel where celebrations can begin!

Marangu Route – Altitude & Distance Profile