Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

The Marangu Route, also referred to as the “Coca- Cola” route because of the availability of Coca Cola in the tea huts back in the day, is one of the most popular routes up the mountain. Marangu is the easiest of all the Kilimanjaro routes due to its gradual slope and the removal of obstacles to create a well defined path. Moreover, the sleeping huts are quite comfortable, which eliminates any need for camping. Also known as the “Tourist Route” because of its popularity and relative ease of ascend, Marangu is ideal for people who prefer walking on well-defined paths rather than secluded steep slopes. Because of its relative ease, Marangu is often quite a bit cheaper than other routes.

The minimum number of days from the base to the summit is 5, but it is highly recommended that trekkers spend a day or more for acclimatization for safety reasons and a greater chance of a successful summit. All along the route, there are dormitory-style huts where trekkers can rest overnight. The ascent and descent are on the same path making it the most crowded and one of the least scenic of all the routes, as it only goes through a single part of the mountain. So, only take the Marangu route if you don’t mind crowds. Granted Marangu is not the greatest choice of route, but it is the best route during the rainy season because hut accommodations are generally preferred to camping in wet grounds.

Interesting fact: Despite its relative ease, the success rate for the Marangu route is only about 80%. The main reason is that Marangu is selected by lots of people who are unprepared for the Kilimanjaro hike, and have no previous experience of trekking in mountains.