Marangu, the hut Accommodation Route in Mount Kilimanjaro

Since it is the only route on Mount Kilimanjaro with hut accommodations for hikers, the Marangu Route—also referred to as the Coca-Cola Route or the Tourist Route—is the oldest and most well-traveled path on the mountain. At Mandara and Kibo Huts, there are 60 bunk beds apiece, while at Horombo Hut, there are 120 bunk beds.

Map of the Marangu Route

The only and main drawback of the Marangu Route is that the ascent is exactly the same as the descent, meaning there is not as much variation in setting as there is on other routes. Hiking the Marangu route takes about five days, and it is advised that climbers take an additional day to acclimate at Horombo Hut.

Due to its popularity, Marangu is a route that can get extremely congested.

Because the Marangu Route is typically chosen by unprepared, inexperienced hikers who are led astray to assume it is the simplest route on Mount Kilimanjaro, its success rate is likewise generally poor.

Detailed Marangu Route itinerary

The average 6-day schedule for the Marangu Route is shown below.

Day 1: Mandara Hut (2,700 meters) to Marangu Gate (1,870 meters)

About 8 km (5 miles) in distance

Length of trek: 4-6 hours

Zone: Forested

On the south-east slope of Mount Kilimanjaro, the Marangu Route starts at Marangu Gate (1,870 meters). You will normally be picked up from Moshi or Arusha; the drive from Moshi takes about an hour and passes via the settlement of Marangu. It takes about two hours to drive from Arusha to Marangu gate.

Meet your trekking group at the entrance, register with the park rangers, and watch the porters put together and weigh the loads of equipment they will be carrying up the mountain.

The first day’s journey through the Kilimanjaro rainforest is a slow one that takes four to five hours to finish.

The Mandara A-frame Huts (2,700 meters) will be the base for the first part of the journey. These huts have flush toilets, solar-powered lights, and water pumped in from a nearby mountain stream. There are six to eight bunk beds in each hut; if you have trouble falling asleep, we advise packing earplugs.

 Day 2: Mandara Hut (2,700 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)

About 12 km (7 miles) in distance

Time spent trekking: 6–8 hours

Zone: Low-alpine / Rainforest

Day 2 starts early; breakfast will be served as soon as possible, and you should leave no later than 8:00.

After continuing through the rainforest near the Maundi Crater’s base, the hike quickly enters the low alpine moorland zone.

It is highly recommended that you climb the Maundi Crater if the weather is clear in order to catch your first complete vista of Kibo.

At this altitude, the landscape is dotted with enormous lobelias, which you may observe while on the journey.

Day 2 is quite long—roughly 6 to 8 hours—and covers a substantial 11.5 kilometers (7 miles).

You will spend the night in Horombo Hut once dinner is served.

Day 3: Horombo Hut Acclimatization Day

Distance: zero kilometers

Trekking duration: none

Zone: High-altitude / Low-altitude

This is a crucial day in the journey since it’s spent acclimating at Horombo. You can hike for three hours to reach Mawenzi and return in roughly one and a half hours. It is advised to take this hike since it will help with acclimatization.

Day 4: Journey from 3,720-meter Horombo Hut to 4,700-meter Kibo Hut

Distance: 6 miles or 10 km

Time spent trekking: 5-7 hours

Zone: High-altitude / Low-altitude

You will start early from Horombo Hut and climb 1,000 meters to reach Kibo Hut, which is around 10 kilometers away.

To get to Kibo, there are two roads; the top route, or first route, splits off to the right. On their acclimatization day, six-day hikers would have taken this path to reach Mawenzi Hut. The bottom left-hand route is easier and over an hour shorter, so you should definitely take it. You will cross the final water stop at 4,130 meters if you take the left-hand route.

Note: You will not find another drinking spot until you return to Horombo Hut from the summit, so be sure to replenish your water supplies here (you may buy bottled mineral water at Kibo Hut).

You will be given an early dinner at Kibo Hut, and you should aim to go to bed by 19:00, as you will need to wake up at 23:30 to begin your 1,150-meter climb to Uhuru Peak.

Note: Make sure you have everything you need, including insulated water, food, a headlamp, and a camera, ready for a fast departure.

Hut lodging along the Marangu Route

day 5, go from Kibo Hut (4,700 meters) to Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) and finally Horombo Hut (3,720 meters).

Around 5.5 km (3 miles) of elevation gain followed by a 15 km (8 miles) down

Trekking time: 5-8 hours to reach Horombo Hut and 6-8 hours to reach the top

Three zones: low alpine, high alpine, and glacial

peak night kicks off Day 5; upon awakening, you’ll be greeted with hot tea and pastries before starting your trek to the peak.

The first checkpoint at 5,150 meters, Hans Meyer Cave, is reached along a rough path along the route. After that, it goes on to Zigzag for about two to three hours, reaching Gilman’s Point (5,681 meters) on the crater rim of Kibo. At this time, you’re probably exhausted.

You will have a little break to recover and eat something to refuel. The last push is mentally taxing, so concentrate on going slowly and methodically up the last 200 meters.

You won’t be at Uhuru Peak (5,895 meters) for long, so make sure to snap all the photos you want before starting the descent back to Kibo Hut and then Horombo Hut.

Your longest day at the lodge will be spent walking upwards for a total of 12 to 16 hours, but it will be well worth it. Beer is available for purchase at Horombo.

Day 6: Marangu Gate (1,870 meters) to Horombo Hut (3,720 meters)

20 kilometers (12.5 miles) in distance

Time spent trekking: 6–8 hours

Zone: Rainforest and low alpine zones

On day six, you will be fatigued from the almost 20-kilometer hike from Horombo Hut to Marangu Gate, which typically takes only seven hours to finish. You will receive your certificate at Marangu Gate based on which point—Uhuru Peak or Gilman’s Point—you were able to reach.