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Marangu Route Overview
The Marangu Route, also known as the โCoca-Cola Route,โ is one of the classic and oldest paths to reach the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, starting on the southeastern side of the mountain. It is historically significant as the route taken by Hans Meyer during the first successful Kilimanjaro summit in 1889. The route is completed in 5 to 6 days and is the only one offering hut accommodation instead of tents, making it appealing to climbers who prefer more comfort. The trail passes through all of Kilimanjaroโs climatic zones, from tropical forests to alpine deserts, and Marangu Gate also serves as the headquarters of Kilimanjaro National Park. Unlike other routes, both the ascent and descent use the same path on Marangu.
Summit Success Rate
Marangu Route Map
Ahsante Tours’ Experience with Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is an ideal choice for climbers who prefer the comfort of sleeping in huts rather than tents, making it particularly well-suited for the rainy season from March to May, as the huts provide reliable shelter. It is recommended for physically fit climbers, especially for the challenging final ascent from Kibo Hut to Uhuru Peak. Offering a unique historical experience, the Marangu Route is the oldest path to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, adding a sense of tradition to your journey. Ahsante Tours warmly invites you to embark on this iconic adventure and conquer the world’s tallest free-standing mountain via the Marangu Route!
Free Kilimanjaro Kit Checklist
Free Kilimanjaro Packing List with gear necessary for the hike and recommendations from Ahsante Tours Team
Did You Know ?
The Marangu Route is nicknamed the "Coca-Cola Route" for its popularity and the availability of refreshments at huts along the way!
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6 Days Marangu Route Itinerary
Meals
Accommodation
Morning: Your guide will pick you up from your accommodation in Moshi or Arusha and drive you to the picturesque Hotspring Kikuletwa, also known as Chemka Hot Springs. Located amidst lush greenery, this natural OASIS is a hidden gem in Tanzania. Enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear, turquoise waters of the hot springs, surrounded by beautiful trees and tropical foliage.
Afternoon: Indulge in a delicious picnic lunch at Hotspring Kikuletwa, prepared by your safari guide. Take some time to relax and soak in the serene ambience of this tranquil spot. You can also explore the surrounding area or interact with the friendly locals before heading back to your accommodation.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation
Weruweru River Lodge or Alternative accommodation of the same standard will be provided if the primary accommodation option is unavailable.
Your driver-guide will pick you up at your hotel in Moshi in the morning. The drive will take you over bumpy paths, through remote Maasai areas with stunning views of the Mount Kilimanjaro, Mount Meru and “mountain of God” Ol Doinyo Lengai and if you’re lucky you might even see some zebra’s, giraffe or other wildlife.
Visiting this home to 2 million of lesser flamingos, and the views along the road to get there is nothing less than stunning. After reaching the lodge youโll checking your rooms later on you will have time you can visit Ngaresero Waterfalls and enjoying This 600-metre-deep crack in the Great Rift Valley has a pretty waterfall that you can hike to by walking up the river. The waterfall is part of a beautiful, small oasis where hikers love to swim. Standing under the powerful waterfall and swimming in its pool is the perfect reward for hiking in the heat to get there.
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner.
Accommodation
“Lake Natron Tented Camp Moivaro”ย North Serengeti.
Your day starts off with a 2-hour drive to Nainokanoka Village where you will be based tonight. During your transfer, if it’s not too foggy, you may get great views of the Ngorongoro Crater from the viewpoint on the edge of the crater rim. You then proceed along the Henry FosbRooke Road through the dense forest towards Nainokanoka, where you will get to see wildlife such as buffalos and wildebeest. Today you will explore the Olmoti Crater and Munge waterfalls on a 3-hour hike. The Olmoti Crater is a shallow grassy crater where the Munge River originates.
Total Walking Time
3hrs
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.
Accommodation
Camping at Nainokanoka Campsite
We depart Nainokanoka camp at 0800hrs and commence our trek to Bulati Village. We will pass a few Maasai Bomas on our way. We will have a packed lunch halfway to Bulati. We cross the Elbulbul depression, a vast grassland with no trees, but many zebras can be seen grazing, wildebeests, and raptors due to the many mole rat mounds in the area. We arrive in Bulati early in the afternoon for rest and refreshments. In the late afternoon, Maasai Boma visit the village of Bulati where we will be spending the night.
Total Walking Distance
14km
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.
Accommodation
Camping at Bulati Campsite
Today you will change the environment from temperate grassland to a montane forest zone on the crater rim. Plenty of spectacular panoramic views of the landscape. We packed lunch halfway through the trek. In the afternoon you will descend into the crater where you can see lesser flamingos who reside on the crater soda lake. The Caldera is 300m deep and 6kms wide. The trek is roughly 45 minutes down and an hour’s walk back up. Today we will be camping right on the rim of the Empakaai crater.
Total Walking Distance
13km
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.
Accommodation
Empakaai Campsite
After breakfast, we walk a short way around the Empakaai crater to stretch our legs and get some good panoramic photos of the caldera. The first half of the trek is to Nayobi village where you will stop for lunch. From Nayobi we head down to Acacia Campsite. You will head out on a late afternoon walk to view the surrounding area and take photos of the majestic Mt. Ol-Doinyo Lengai, a Maasai name for the “Mountain of God”. This mountain is unique amongst geologists because it is the only active volcano on Earth that erupts with carbonatite, a type of igneous rock rich in carbonates such as calcite and dolomite.
Total Walking Distance
15km
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, & Dinner.
Accommodation
Acacia Campsite
6 Days Marangu route Prices
|
1 Pax
|
2 - 4 Pax
|
5 - 9 Pax
|
10+ Pax
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
$ 2,200(ยฃย 1,676) |
$ 2,100 ( ยฃย 1,600 ) |
$ 1,950 ( £ 1,485) |
$ 1,850 ( £ 1,409) |
Climbing Cost Includes
- Park fees, camping fees & rescue fee
- 18% VAT on tour fees & services
- Accommodation in tents complete with sleeping mats.
- Sleeping Bags (-15oC Limit) *If clients have warmer sleeping bags they are advised to bring their own.
- Transportation to & from the mountain gate
- Professional mountain guides, cooks and porters
- 3 meals daily while on the mountain
- Katadyn filtered water throughout the trek
- Pre & Post Trek accommodation in Moshi town on Half Board Basis
- Fair wages for the mountain crew as approved by the Kilimanjaro National Park Authority (KINAPA), Kilimanjaro Association of Tour Operators (KIATO)
- Tree donation in support of our environmental conservation projects
- 2-way airport transfers - 1 on arrival and 1 on departure
- Supplemental Oxygen & Pulse Oximeter
Climbing Cost Excludes
- Visa
- Tips to mountain crew – See Tipping Guidelines for more details
- Items of a personal nature
- Laundry Services
- Tanzanian mountain doctor
- Single Supplement Request - $100
- Travel Insurance (Recommended – Travel insurance with medical cover of 6,000m and above)
- Spending a night in the crater - $200 per person
- Western breach approach without a night at the crater camp - $100 per person
- Tanzanian mountain doctor - $200 per group per day
- Portable chemical toilet - $150 per toilet (including tent & porter)
Why choose Ahsante Tours
FAQs about Marangu Route
The Marangu Route is nicknamed the "Coca-Cola Route" because, historically, climbers could purchase Coca-Cola at the huts along the way. It’s also considered a “classic” route due to its popularity and accessibility.
The Marangu Route typically takes 5 to 6 days to complete. The 6-day option includes an extra day for acclimatization at Horombo Hut, which can improve summit success rates.
Unlike other Kilimanjaro routes, the Marangu Route offers hut accommodation at designated campsites. Climbers stay in wooden huts, making it more comfortable, especially during the rainy season.
The Marangu Route has a summit success rate of about 60%. This is lower than other routes because it has a shorter acclimatization period, particularly on the 5-day option.
Though often considered one of the easier routes due to the hut accommodations and gradual slopes, the Marangu Route can still be challenging due to the quick ascent and reduced acclimatization time. It is suitable for beginners who are physically fit and prepared for the altitude and hiking conditions.
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