Marangu route
The Marangu Route (also known at the 'Coca-Cola' route) is the easiest ascent of Kilimanjaro, although any ascent can be challenging. Climbs can be done over 6 days. It crosses The Saddle, a 5 km wide, high-altitude, semi-desert that separates craggy Mawenzi from the main summit Kibo. From the summit, glaciers, screes, cliffs, afro-alpine moorland and forests lead down to the cultivated foothills.[1][28]
Trekkers sometimes spend an extra day to acclimate to the altitude at Horombo Hut. Also, trekkers often start the final ascent to Uhuru Peak early from Kibo Hut, since the scree is easier to climb when frozen, and dawn views from the crater rim are often spectacular.
Route Outline
- Drive to Marangu Gate. Walk through the rain forest to Mandara hut (2743 m), about 3 hours.
- Leave the forest and cross open moor land to Horombo hut (3760 m).
- Rest and acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut. Day walk to Zebra Rocks or to Mawenzi Hut. This day can be missed out making a 5 day itinerary; however, the less acclimatized climbers are, the less likely they will be able to summit.
- Walk through moorland then alpine desert to "The Saddle" between the peaks of Mawenzi and Kibo. From here you will walk for about an hour to reach Kibo hut (4730 m).
- Very early start for the summit on steep scree up to Gillman's Point (5681 m) which is on the crater rim. Continue around the rim (which will take about two hours if you are fit) to Uhuru Peak (5895 m) the highest point in Africa. Descend to Kibo Hut for tea and biscuits or soup and then down to the thicker air and relative warmth of Horombo hut.
- Descend to Marangu gate.