Marangu

Marangu is the village at the foot of Kilimanjaro where the Marangu Route (the 'Coca-Cola route') begins — the only one of the mountain's six climbing routes with roofed huts instead of tents, and the most popular choice for first-time climbers. The village runs almost entirely on mountaineering — agencies, porters, gear rental — and also has waterfalls and coffee plantations to visit without climbing at all. Marangu Gate, the park entrance, is a short walk from the center.