Route 1, Marangu First Leg - Climbing Kilimanjaro
Marangu 1st Leg > More in this Category > Mountain Routes > Marangu: Second Leg > Machame: First Leg > Machame Route: Second Leg > Umbwe Route> Shira: First Leg > Shira: Second Leg > Lemosho Route > Rongai: First Leg > Rongai: Second Leg > Ridge Route
Often called Route 1, the Marangu Route is generally viewed as the most popular way in which to reach the summit of Kilimanjaro. Of the 15 000 or so individuals who attempt to climb Kilimanjaro each year, approximately 90% begin their journey at Marangu Park Gate.
The route has been nicknamed the Tourist Route, or the Coca Cola trail, due to the fact that it provides luxuries such as huts, bunk beds, flushing toilets and bottled drinks. It also involves an ascent up the mountain via the gentle eastern slopes, which is said to be far less strenuous than the route followed on other Routes such as Machame, Umbwe, Mweka and Shira.
Easier climbing does not necessarily make for a greater success rate however. Most climbers ascending up the Marangu Route tend to get trapped into experiencing a false sense of security as a result of the comfort factor in the early stages. This causes them to become overly ambitious, therefore endeavouring to summit the mountain in record time. This mistake quickly results in them succumbing to Altitude Sickness. Of all the climbers attempting to reach the summit via the Marangu route, a mere 10% in fact succeed in reaching the Rooftop of Africa.
Typically, an expedition to the summit by virtue of the Marangu Route should take 5 days or more. Working within this time frame will ensure that one's body has sufficient time to Acclimatise, thereby substantially lowering the risk of AMS. Most individuals setting out to climb Kili will begin their journey in Nairobi, although it is possible to fly directly into Kilimanjaro Airport (KAI) if one so desires. From Nairobi, the most popular option is generally to transfer to Moshi and spend an evening in a guest house in town, which is an excellent beginning to the acclimatisation process.
The Kilimanjaro Experience
