Marangu Route – Mount Kilimanjaro
The Only Kilimanjaro Route with Hut Accommodation
The Marangu Route also known as the Coca- Cola Route or Tourist Route is the oldest route on Mt. Kilimanjaro, this route is also one of the most popular route used by hikers because of it is the only route on Mountain Kilimanjaro that has a hut accommodation for hikers. The hut has 60 bunk beds each at Mandara and Kibo Huts and 120 bunk beds at Horombo Hut.
Marangu Route Map
It takes approximately 5 days to complete hiking The Marangu route and it is recommended that climbers take an extra day to acclimatize at Horombo Hut, the only and main setback on the Marangu Route is that the ascent is exactly the same as the descent and therefore there is not as much variety in setting compared to other routes.
Since Marangu is a popular route, it also means that the route can get very crowded.
The success rate of Marangu Route also tends to be low as it is usually chosen by inexperienced and unprepared trekkers who are misled to believe it is the easiest route on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Detailed itinerary of Marangu Route
Below is the typical itinerary for an 6-day Marangu Route.
Day 1 – Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to Mandara Hut (2,700 meters)
Distance: ~8km / 5 miles
Trekking time: 4-6 hours
Zone: Rainforest
The Marangu Route begins at Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) on the South – East side of Mount Kilimanjaro, typically you will be picked from either Moshi or Arusha, from Moshi it is a drive of approximately 1 hour and passes through the village of Marangu. From Arusha the drive takes approximately 2 hours to reach Marangu gate.
At the gate, you will meet your trekking team, register with the park’s authorities as the porters assemble and weigh packs of gear that they will be carrying up the mountain.
Day one is a gradual trek through the Kilimanjaro rainforest taking approximately 5-7 hours to complete.
The first of the trek will be spent in the Mandara A – frame Huts (2,700 meters) which is equipped with solar generated lighting, flush toilets and water piped in from a nearby mountain stream. Each hut has 6-8 bunk beds, if you are a light sleeper we suggest you bring some ear plugs with you.
Day 2 – Mandara Hut (2,700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Distance: ~12km / 7 miles
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Rainforest / Low-alpine zone
Day 2 begins with an early start, breakfast will be served at the earliest and you should be on your way by latest 08:30.
The trek continues through the rainforest around the base of the Maundi Crater and then transitions rather rapidly into the low alpine moorland zone.
If the weather is clear you should definitely take the opportunity to scramble up the Maundi Crater to get your first full view of Kibo.
During the trek you will also get to see giant lobelias which are scattered throughout the landscape at this altitude.
Day 2 takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete and covers a significant distance of 11.5 kilometers/ 7 miles.
Dinner will be served and you will spend the night at Horombo Hut.
Day 3 – Acclimatisation Day at Horombo Hut
Distance: 0 km
Trekking time: 0 hours
Zone: Low-alpine zone / High-alpine zone
This is an important day of the trek as it is a day for acclimatization at Horombo, you may hike toward Mawenzi which is a 3 hour hike up and about 1.5 hour back. This hike is recommended as it will assist with acclimatization.
Day 4 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Kibo Hut (4,700 meters)
Distance: 10 km / 6 miles
Trekking time: 5-7 hours
Zone: Low-alpine zone / High-alpine zone
You will depart from Horombo Hut early and begin a 1,000 meters ascent to Kibo Hut which covers a distance of approximately 10 kilometers.
There are two routes used to get to Kibo, the first or upper route forks to the right. Six day trekkers would have trekked this route on their acclimatization day to Mawenzi Hut. You will most like take the lower left hand routes as it is easier and nearly an hour shorter. On the left hand route you will pass the last water point at 4,130 meters.
Note: Make sure to fill up your water reserves here as you will not find another watering point until you get back to Horombo Hut from the summit (you can buy bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut).
At Kibo Hut you will be served an early dinner and should try to go to bed before 19:00 as you will be awoken around 23:30 to start your 1,150 meters ascent to Uhuru Peak.
Note: Make sure that you have all your gear ready for a prompt departure including insulated water, snacks, your headlamp and camera.
Hut accommodation on the Marangu Route
Day 5 – Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and then Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)
Distance: ~5.5km / 3 miles ascent and then 15km / 8 mile descent
Trekking time: 6-8 hours to the summit and then 5-8 hours to Horombo Hut
Zone: Glacial zone, high alpine zone and low alpine zone
Day 5 begins with summit night, after being awoken you will be served hot tea and biscuits then begin your summit ascent.
The route follows a rocky path to the first check point, Hans Meyer Cave at 5,150 meters. It then continues to Zigzag for a good 2-3 hours until you get to Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) on Kibo’s crater rim. You will most likely be very tired at this point.
You will have some time to rest and refuel with a snack, the final push is tough and requires mental stamina, focus on moving slowly and deliberately for the final 200 meter ascent.
At Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters), you will not stay for too long so make sure to get all the pictures you want to take and then begin your descent back to Kibo Hut and onto Horombo Hut.
In total, you will be trekking upwards for 12-16 hours which will be the longest day of your lodge but worth it. You can purchase some beers at Horombo.
Day 6 – Horombo Hut (3,720 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)
Distance: 20 km / 12.5 miles
Trekking time: 6-8 hours
Zone: Low alpine zone and rainforest
Day 6 from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate which is a trek is nearly 20 kilometers usually taking only 7 hours to complete, at this stage you will be exhausted. At Marangu Gate you will be presented with your certificate depending on with the point you managed to reach – either Uhuru peak or Gilman’s Point.
Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Altitude Profile
The profile altitude for Mount Kilimanjaro’s Marangu Route looks like below
