Marangu Route

Marangu Route

The Marangu Route represents the original path up Kilimanjaro. It is unique among the other Kilimanjaro routes, as it features communal A-frame huts for accommodation instead of camping. While the route is not considered particularly challenging, its success rate is lower due to the limited time provided for acclimatization.

Key Highlights of Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

• The Marangu Route is the oldest Kilimanjaro Climbing Route.
• It's also considered one of the most popular Routes Up Kilimanjaro.
• The route leads to the summit from the southeast end of Mount Kilimanjaro.
• It has got very few steep climbs which make the Marangu Route relatively easy.
• The fact that Marangu is the only Kilimanjaro Route that allows you to stay in huts and lets you buy a Coke en route, has made it popular as the Coca-Cola Route among Kilimanjaro Climbers.
• However, the Marangu Route Kilimanjaro has got a mediocre acclimatization profile as there is not enough time for getting accustomed to a new climate or new conditions. Hence, only a few people make it possible to reach the summit.

The Marangu Route at a Glance

• Distance: 72 km/45 miles
• Difficulty: Low
• Duration: 6 Days
• Success Rate: Low
• Height: Reaches the summit at Uhuru Peak at a height of 5895 meters (19341 feet)
• Location: Marangu approaches Kilimanjaro from the southeast and the trails begin at Marangu gate.

Uniqueness

• The Marangu Route is the only Kilimanjaro Route that has got the provision for hut accommodation. It allows amateur hikers or trekkers to a comfortable sleep-in dormitory-style hut accommodation.
• Most Kilimanjaro climbers opt for the Marangu Route because of its gentle slope and direct path. This makes the route the easiest among all Kilimanjaro Routes.
• The Marangu trail will take you through panoramic views as you will get to travel through forests, moorlands, a high-altitude desert-like alpine area in the Saddle, and rocky paths, and snow when you reach near the summit.

Weather and Climate

The Marangu Route on Mount Kilimanjaro experiences diverse weather and climate conditions due to its varying elevations and ecosystems. The lower rainforest zone is characterized by warm and humid conditions, with frequent rainfall throughout the year.

As trekkers ascend into the moorland and alpine desert zones, temperatures drop significantly, and the environment becomes drier. The summit, in the Arctic zone, experiences sub-zero temperatures, strong winds, and occasional snowfall, making it a challenging environment for climbers

Success Rate

Being one of the shortest routes up Kilimanjaro, Marangu Route gives a relatively poor acclimatization profile. Hence, the summit's success is low. It is hard to substantiate this fact with official numbers, however, if you look at the data provided by various tour operators across Mount Kilimanjaro, the average success rate for a 5-day trek is only 50%.

This simply means that the chances of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro are low when opting for the Marangu Route. However, we offer the 6-Day trek up Kilimanjaro with an extra day for acclimatization for better summit success rates.

Crowds on Marangu Route

As trekkers/hikers coming for Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing generally perceive the Marangu Route as an easier climb, because of its shorter trek, gradual slopes and direct path, hence more people tend to choose this route. Therefore, the route becomes busy and attracts more crowds. So, if you are someone who wants a less crowded trek, then this route is not for you.

The scenery on the Marangu Route

 The Marangu Route is considered less scenic as compared to other Kilimanjaro Routes because the route ascends and descends along the same trail. That being said, the trail is still beautiful with scenic views from the rainforest, moorland, high-altitude desert, and an arctic summit. It is just that there is a more scenic variety on other Kilimanjaro Routes as their ascent and descent paths are different.

Accommodation on the Marangu Route

As already discussed above, the Marangu Route is the only route up there in Kilimanjaro that accommodates comfortable hut accommodations for its guests. The Kilimanjaro Marangu Route Huts are:

• Mandara Hut – There are 60 bunk beds.
• Horombo Hut- 120 bunk beds
• Kibo Hut- 60 bunk beds

And yes, you are expected to bring your sleeping bags. But you will be supplied with mattresses and pillows at the various huts. These huts are equipped with communal dining halls and washrooms. Expect running water and flushing toilets at lower huts while buckets of water and long drops at Kibo Hut.

Brief Description of Marangu Route Itinerary

It takes around 5-6 days to complete the climb up to Kilimanjaro via Marangu Route. However, our experts suggest not going for the 5-day trek as the quick ascent may reduce the chances of summit success.

The only difference between the 5-day Marangu Route and 6-Day Marangu Route is an additional day of acclimatization which provides favourable opportunities for getting accustomed to the climatic conditions.

Also, you need some previous experience in trekking when opting for the Marangu Route. This is because you will have to trek for some 6-8 hours daily with ascents varying between 900 m to 1200 m.

And, to successfully embark on a multi-day hike across challenging landscapes through Marangu Route, you must possess unwavering confidence in your abilities. The journey may entail navigating through varying altitudes and weather conditions, requiring both physical and mental endurance to overcome exhaustion and complete the trek. So, be prepared for it.

Below is a summary of the Marangu Route Itinerary for Climbing Kilimanjaro:

Good To Know: Our 7 Days Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing Tours via Marangu Route offer 6 days of climb and on the 7^th day, you will be transferred back to Arusha Town or Kilimanjaro airport as per your needs.

Our Honest Opinion on Kilimanjaro Marangu Route

When researching various Kilimanjaro Routes, you will always end up finding the Marangu Route as the cheapest, easiest and most popular route for Kilimanjaro Climb. However, this is not the reality. As the ascend and descend routes are the same, the Marangu Route is only perceived as easy because of the shorter trek. While the truth is that a shorter trek makes acclimatization difficult and adds to the woes. Also, as the route follows the same path for ascent and descent, the Kilimanjaro Marangu Route offers less scenic variety.

So, in our honest opinion, only those trekkers who want to sleep in comfort in dormitory-like huts and require a shorter trek that provide mattresses and basic amenities can choose Marangu Route. Basically, budget travellers who don’t have camping equipment and do not want to go camping can opt for Marangu Route for Mount Kilimanjaro Climbing.