Marangu Trail Overview
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 favor the Marangu route because it is considered
to be the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope. It is also the only route which offers
sleeping huts in dormitory style accommodations.
The minimum days required for this route is five days, although the
probability of successfully reaching the top in that time period is quite low. Spending an extra
acclimatization day on the mountain is highly recommended when climbing Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route.
So we request you to take at list six days. However, despite its immense
popularity, we avoid leading climbs on the Marangu route. The route has the least scenic variety of all
the routes because the ascent and descent are done on the same path and it is the most crowded route for
that reason. Marangu is favored only during the rainy season, where the hut accommodations are preferred
over wet ground, or for those who only have five days to climb Kilimanjaro.
Marangu Map
Marangu Route FAQ
Is the Marangu route hard?
Overall it's a relatively easy route, having very few steep climbs.
How long is Marangu route Kilimanjaro?
The exact distance on the Marangu Route is 82km or 50 miles. The shortest number of days required for the Marangu Route is
5 days or 6 days for acclimatization, however, when you take into consideration the arrival and departure days, it is 9-10 days.
What is the success rate of Marangu?
The Marangu Route has a low summit success rate of about 50% for
the shorter 5-days itinerary that excludes the acclimatization day. The longer itinerary that takes 6 days including the extra day for acclimatization has a success rate of about 80%, which is impressive.
Where is the starting point of Marangu route?
The Marangu route begins at Marangu gate and ascends through forest to the Mandara Huts which are named after the fearsome Chagga chief of Moshi. Hut accommodation is in dormitory style and for those that have an aversion to camping the huts offer the best option to trekking on Kilimanjaro.
What is the best time to journey through the Marangu Route?
Between July and September is the best time to climb Kilimanjaro. The weather
is the most stable during this period and encountering rain is less likely. Since it is close to the equator, it is possible to climb the mountain at any time during the year. Be cautious, April and May are the wettest months, so this period is best avoided.
What scenery will I see on the Marangu Route?
The Marangu route ascends through the rainforest, moorlands, and alpine areas before ending in the glacial zone. This trek is very beautiful and is the only route that allows you to descend the same way you ascended.
