The Marangu route, nicknamed the “Coca-Cola” route, stands as the oldest and most established path on Kilimanjaro. It distinguishes itself by offering sleeping huts with shared dormitory-style accommodations instead of camping. Each of the Mandara and Kibo Huts houses 60 bunk beds, while the Horombo Hut contains 120 bunk beds. Guests are provided with mattresses and pillows, although sleeping bags remain necessary. These huts feature communal dining areas and basic washrooms, ranging from modern amenities like flushing toilets and running water at lower altitudes to simpler facilities such as long-drop toilets and buckets of water at Kibo Hut.

Many prefer the Marangu route due to its reputation as the mountain’s easiest path, characterized by a gradual slope and a direct trajectory. However, its limited duration makes acclimatization to altitude challenging. This route approaches Mount Kilimanjaro from the southeast, yet it lacks the scenic variety of other paths since both ascent and descent follow the same trail. Consequently, it tends to be the most congested route due to this single-track nature.