The Marangu Route, also known as the Coca-Cola route, is one of the oldest and most commonly used routes approaching the Kilimanjaro summit from the southeast side of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is a route that best suits hikers who prefer shorter routes and don’t want to camp while hiking up Mount Kilimanjaro. Most tour operators will tell you that Marangu is one of the best routes because it is an easy climb, but this is not the case because you ascend and descend via the same trail, it is not as scenic as the other routes, and it does not provide proper acclimatization, and it has a low success rate.
With a distance of 72 kilometers, the Marangu route has a 5-day itinerary and a 6-day itinerary. It is also the only route along Kilimanjaro that offers hut accommodation in the form of dormitory-style huts with basic amenities and mattresses.
What is the success rate for the Marangu route?
Although there are no official statistics, the average percentage of people who get to the summit while using the Marangu route is extremely low, with an estimated percentage of 50. It has a very poor acclimatization profile, which means that your chances of getting to the summit are very low.
How hard is the Marangu route?
Many people believe that the Marangu route is an easy climb, but this is not the case, and we will discuss why shortly. You will need a good mountain crew and prepare well if you are to take on the Marangu route, and this is mainly because, although it is a relatively shorter hike, it demands a quicker ascent and poor acclimatization, and many hikers who use the Marangu route rarely make it to the summit.
How many days is the Marangu route?
The Marangu route can be attempted in either 5 or 6 days, and we highly recommend the six-day itinerary. Due to the quick ascent, it is hard to get acclimatized, but it is better to get a little acclimatization with the 6-day itinerary as compared to the 5-day itinerary. Note that climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is not a competition, and you should take slow, measured steps to get the most out of your experience.
How is the accommodation along the Marangu route?
The Marangu route is the only one with hut accommodations on Mount Kilimanjaro. The huts that are found along Marangu include the Mandara hut, the Horombo hut with 120 bunk beds, and the Kibo hut (both the Kibo and Mandara huts have 60 bunk beds). Mattresses and pillows are provided, and you must bring your sleeping bags. The lower huts have communal bathrooms with running water and flushing toilets, while the higher huts (Kibo huts) have long drop toilets and buckets of water.
Other routes that involve staying at campsite sin tent include the Umbwe Route, Rongai Route, Machame Route and the Lemosho Route.
Is Marangu a busy route?
The Marangu route is extremely busy given the fact that it is known as a very easy climb as compared to other hike routes. If you plan on avoiding large crowds, then the Marangu route is not the one for you.
The Marangu route is one of the most established routes along Mount Kilimanjaro and one of the easiest ways of getting to the summit since it is a direct route when compared to other routes. It is a very busy route, and this has made it known to many as the visitor’s course or route. The route has three cottage lodgings, including Horombo Huts, Kibo Huts, and Mandara Huts.