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 (you get mattresses and other basic amenities). 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 as it uses the same trail for both the ascent and descent. Otherwise, the route itself is easy, with almost no steep sections. The rainforest and moorland sections of the trail are beautiful.

Difficulty: Low Distance: 72 km Duration: 5-6 days Success rate: Low