Known as the “Coca-Cola” route, the Marangu route is a classic trek on Mount Kilimanjaro. It is the oldest, most well established route. Many favour the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest path on the mountain, due to its more gradual slope.
The Marangu route is the original climbing route on Kilimanjaro and the home of the park’s headquarters. This is a well-established route and is the only route which has dormitory-style huts in lieu of camping. The A-frame style huts have between 8 and 20 beds in each room. Sleeping can be very comfortable, but might be noisy depending on how many people are in your hut.
The Marangu route is known for being relatively comfortable and luxurious compared to the other routes on Kilimanjaro. The hut system is a nice option for staying dry, especially if you are climbing during the rainier times of the year.
The huts are clean and each hut is supplied with nice mattresses and comfortable pillows, but climbers still need to bring a sleeping bag. There are communal dining halls and basic washrooms that are cleaned regularly by the rangers. The lower huts have flushing toilets and running water. As you climb to the higher elevation, the huts have long-drop toilets.
Many hikers prefer the Marangu route because it is considered to be the easiest trail on the mountain, because of the gradual grade and more direct path. The shorter time frame of the journey makes altitude acclimatization fairly difficult. Marangu is the only route on Kilimanjaro that uses the same path for ascending and descending.
Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours via Marangu route
MARANGU ROUTE (6 Days - Itinerary)
Day 0 | Pre-trek Briefing
Arrival at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO), where you will meet an our representative, and transfer
to the hotel under the rate. The hotel will provide all the essentials for a comfortable stay: cozy rooms,
hot water, polite staff, a swimming pool, and Internet access. In the evening there will be a briefing with
our managers, who will also make sure you are ready to begin the climb.
Note: Check-in starts at 2:00 PM.
Day 1
After breakfast and briefing, drive to the
Kilimanjaro National Park Gate (about 1 hour), register and commence the climb. Walk through the rainforest
to the Mandara encampment. A side trip to Maundi Crater is a good way to see the surroundings including
Northern Tanzania and Kenya. In the rainforest, look for towering Eucalyptus trees, bird life, and Colobus
monkeys.
Day 2
You leave the glades of the rain-forest and follow an ascending path on the open moorlands to the Horombo encampment. Views of Mawenzi and the summit of Kibo are amazing. Look for giant lobelias and grounsels. You may begin to feel the affects of the altitude.
Day 3
Rest day at Horombo Hut with optional hike by Mawenzi Peak.
Day 4
Ascending, we now pass the last watering point, walking onto the saddle of Kilimanjaro between the peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi. Vegetation begins with upper heathland but then disappears into “moonscape”. Dinner, rest, and prepare for summit climb.
Day 5
Very early in the morning (midnight ), commence the climb to the summit on steep and heavy scree or snow up to Gilman’s point located on the crater rim. Continuing, we now ascend to Uhuru Peak, which is the highest point in Africa. There are unbelievable views at every turn. Have your picture taken at the summit to show your friends and family. From here we descend, stopping for lunch and a rest at Kibo before continuing on to the Horombo encampment..
Day 6
After breakfast, a steady descent takes us down through moorland to the Mandara Hut. Continue descending through lush forest path to the National Park gate at Marangu. At lower elevations, it can be wet and muddy. Gaiters and trekking poles will help. Shorts and t-shirts will probably be plenty to wear (keep rain gear and warmer clothing handy).
MARANGU ROUTE
