There are several routes up Kilimanjaro, and anyone reading up on it quickly starts comparing Machame, Lemosho and Marangu. I chose Marangu. Here is why, and what it is really like.
Why Marangu
I wanted to see how I would feel on the fastest route. Marangu is the most direct way to the summit, which brings an advantage and a requirement: you get there sooner, but you have to be careful with acclimatisation. That is why the programme has an acclimatisation day at Horombo Hut.
The huts
Marangu is the only route on Kilimanjaro with huts instead of tents. They are much more comfortable and roomier than a tent, and after a long day of walking you feel the difference. You sleep in a bed, sheltered from the wind and rain.
The summit night
We left for the summit at 00:30, from Kibo Hut. The climb to the crater rim is pleasant and mostly without wind. From the crater rim, though, the temperature drops sharply. This is where it matters to have the right layers to hand and not to stop for too long.
On the summit
On Uhuru Peak, at 5,895 m, I felt fulfilled. And something extraordinary: being able to see so far, with the whole plateau around spread out below you.
What raises your chances of success
On the mountain I keep asking people how they feel, and I really mean it, it is not politeness. We make sure everyone eats well and rests enough. It sounds simple, but at altitude your appetite drops, and rest is the first thing you neglect when you are excited.
The local crew
The local partner agency provides the guides, cooks and porters. Depending on the size of the group, the crew is 9 people or more. There is a lot of singing on Kilimanjaro, on the trail and at the end, when you say goodbye to the crew.
Why September
September is a good time to climb, in the dry season. And there is another reason: straight after Kilimanjaro comes the safari in Tanzania, on the same trip, if you want to combine them.
How crowded the “Coca-Cola route” is
Marangu is nicknamed the “Coca-Cola route”, because it is seen as easier and busier. In reality, it is not as crowded as you might expect. The big crowds only appear on the crater rim, where people from every route meet. There, whichever route you took, you will be alongside them anyway.
