The Marangu route, nicknamed the ‘Coca Cola’ route, has historically been the most popular Kilimanjaro route. Around 12,000 people use it each year, most commonly those on a tight budget. This is because it’s the only Kilimanjaro route offering dormitory-like accommodation. This makes it a popular choice for budget Kilimanjaro operators that don’t have camping equipment to offer.
The Marangu route also only takes five days to complete, which makes also makes it a cheaper option compared to the other routes. However, the acclimatisation profile is mediocre which leads to a very low success rate, therefore not offering the best value for money. And whilst it offers rewarding views from the Saddle, it’s less scenic than other Kilimanjaro routes due using the same trail for the ascent and descent. Otherwise, the route itself is easy with little to no steep parts. The scenery can be beautiful with a rain forest section and moorlands.
According to a variety of online sources the Machame Route has nearly and 95% success rate and the Marangu Route is nearly 80%. Other routes such as Rongai and Lemosho routes are approximately 95% and the Shira Route is 86%.
On Day 1 of your Kilimanjaro trek you hike though dense rainforest, though at points there are openings in the vegetation that offer views of the farmlands which cover the base of the mountain outside of the Kilimanjaro National Park. The day’s trail ends at Mandara Hut, where you overnight.
On Day 2 you trek through more beautiful rainforest, but soon the forest gives way to moorland. The snow-capped peaks of Kibo and Mawenzi can be seen. After trekking for six to eight hours you reach Horombo Hut, where you stay for the night.
Your third day on the mountain can be split into two parts: a climb to Mawenzi Ridge, followed by a return to Horombo Hut. The reason for this is that it’s in keeping with the ‘climb high, sleep low’ strategy which helps your body to acclimatise properly to the increased elevation.This part of the day’s trek sees you climb from Horombo Hut up into the heath zone of Kilimanjaro. The turning point of the climb comes when you reach the horseshoe-shaped Mawenzi ridge.When you reach Mawenzi ridge you spend some time there taking in the breathtaking views before heading back down to Horombo Hut for another night. As already mentioned, climbing high and then sleeping low is an important acclimatisation strategy.
Today you traverse the so-called Saddle, a five-mile stretch of rubble and emptiness that connects the craters of Mawenzi and Kibo. You spend the night at Kibo Hut.
Similarly to Day 3, today’s trek consists of two parts. For the first part, you strike out for the summit! Having hopefully successfully reached it, you start your descent down the mountain, stopping at the now familiar Horombo Hut for the night.Your guide wakes you up around midnight to get ready for the ascent. Today is usually the most mentally and physically challenging part of the entire Kilimanjaro climb. The route ascends northwest into the dark night. Within about six hours you reach Stella Point and enjoy the sunrise. After that, you trek for about another hour on a snow-covered trail to reach Uhuru Peak at 5,895 m (19,341 ft) at the very top of Africa!After reaching the summit, you descend to Horombo Hut for the night. Having hiked for about 12 to 15 hours, you’ll fall asleep immediately.
Today you do the last bit of hiking down to the foot of the mountain, where your driver is waiting for you. Time for a beer and a great celebration dinner!
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