Routes

This is the best looking and clearest map of routes that I have found - besides having a bit of perspective, it shows the various huts and stopping points on the way up.

Choosing my route up Kili has been kind of tricky, as I'm wildly indecisive. I wanted to go with the Machame route - had planned on it for quite some time. It is longer (better for acclimatization), with a higher success rate. However, the final ascent is much steeper than that of the more travelled Marangu route.

Here is a quick guide to the most common routes:

Marangu Route (5 days): This is the route that most climbers take to the summit. It starts at the town of Marangu, southeast of the mountain, and ascends gradually to the summit. There are overnight huts at several places along the route.

Umbwe Route (5 days): A wild and steep route, often heralded as the most beautiful of all Kilimanjaro routes. Unlike the other more popular routes, this one requires a scramble to the summit. It is slightly more technical.

Mweka Route (5 days): This is a more direct route to the Kibo summit than is the Marangu Route. It ascends the mountain's south side, and is a very steep walk-up on rough terrain.

Machame Route (1 week): This is a long winding route that traverses the mountain's south side as it slowly ascends. Its length allows better acclimitization, and climbers following this route have a higher success rate than climbers on the other routes. It also provides more dramatic views than do the more direct routes.

Trekking Guides

I've consulted several books, as well as numerous other blogs, and found that Zara Travel has both a great reputation and reasonable rates. They offer guided ascent via every common Kili route, as well as the option to add extra days (no matter the route) for acclimatization. In addition, one can choose from several appealing adventure packages, which combines climbing with safaris of varying lengths. My interaction with Zara thus far has been via email, through a woman named Robyn - who couldn't be more helpful or more encouraging about safety as it pertains to my solo status.

After weighing my choices for several weeks, I've decided (for now, we'll see what happens once I get there) to opt for a trip centered around the trek up Kilimanjaro. A safari seems like something I'd rather do with someone else - someone I can poke in the ribs and say, "Hey, check out that lion!". Hard decision, as I'd really love to experience the wide open plains of the Serengeti. Part of the reason I'm choosing this tour company is that I can change my mind midway through my trip and book a safari through them, should the urge strike.

The total cost of my trek is $1100.00

Should you feel the urge to splurge and spend about five times this much (at around $5600.00) I recommend Alpine Ascents - a company I seriously considered due to their experience and high success rate. It's a more deluxe way to go and probably should be considered by those who are not in such great shape, or families who need a little extra care and attention.