The Marangu Route, popularly known, as the “Coca-Cola Route” is one of the most unique and popular routes mainly because it is the oldest existing route on Mount Kilimanjaro and the only one that uses huts instead of tents, eliminating camping as a way of accommodation.
How long does the Marangu route trek take? it takes 5-6 days to climb and descend Mount Kilimanjaro using the Marangu route. However, you can also take a one-day hike to Mandara Huts, along the Marangu Route. Mandara huts is the first accommodation point on Kilimanjaro’s Marangu Route.
The Marangu Route is the original and pioneer route created to access the summit and climb Mount Kilimanjaro. This route can also be confirmed as one of the easier hiking routes with many favoring Marangu because it is considered the easiest path on the mountain, given its gradual slope and direct trail.
It can be done perfectly with extra time for acclimatization increasing the summit success rate to around 80%. Unfortunately, it has a dented reputation of a low 42% summit success rate mainly because climbers usually opt for the shorter 5-day Marangu Route itinerary, which doesn’t give enough time for acclimatization. At Tranquil Kilimanjaro, we are behind your successful Mount Kilimanjaro climb, so we have a better 6-day Marangu Route option with an extra acclimatization day.
The Marangu Gate, located at an altitude of 1870 meters (6,137 ft.), on the Southeastern side of Mount Kilimanjaro, is where the Marangu Route trek begins on the first day. You will take a one-hour drive from Moshi to the gate or 2 hours from Arusha town, following a scenic road on your way there.
Marangu route on average shares one of the lowest success rates of around 40%-50%, if not done well because hikers have a habit of rushing to the summit. Adding an extra acclimatization day, however, increases the chances of having a higher summit success rate of about 80%
Marangu offers striking scenery of its surroundings although it is less scenic when compared with the other routes because the ascent and descent follow the same trail which usually receives high traffic of climbers.
Even though the route might be crowded at times, the path is well maintained due to it is frequently used and popular.
Trekking the Marangu route usually takes 5 to 6 days for the whole hike, ascending and descending. The best option for climbing the Marangu route is the 6-day Marangu Route itinerary which adds an extra acclimatization day for improving the summit success rate and combating altitude sickness.
Tranquil Kilimanjaro offers both the five-day and six-day Marangu Route tours but we strongly advise and recommend using the 6 days Marangu route which gives you an extra acclimatization day at the Horombo hut.
