[Canopy R] Rambling: I’ve always believed that the greatest sorrow of being a pilot is—flying around the world but never truly into it. That’s why, compared to superficial sightseeing, I prefer immersive, experiential travel. I love every climb because it teaches me to endure and even embrace pain.
[0] Travel Plan: Instead of using a domestic travel agency, I contacted six local Tanzanian agents and ultimately chose GOSHENI for a 5-day climb + 4-day safari. It turned out to be a very professional agency, providing us with an excellent experience.
[1] Arrival: Landed at Kilimanjaro Airport at 7 AM, took a taxi to Arusha ($50), a less-than-2-hour ride. Checked into the Four Points hotel and spent the day citywalking in Arusha. There’s a Chinese restaurant called Frame Tree near the hotel—delicious and authentic. Also, USD is widely accepted throughout the trip, so no need to exchange too much local currency.
[2] Route Choice: Since we had a few days reserved for safari, we opted for the shortest route, the “Coca-Cola” trail, which takes five days. The downside is less time for altitude acclimatization, making it slightly less enjoyable than the “Whiskey” route.
[3] Accommodation: The Coca-Cola route offers huts all the way, but you need to bring your own sleeping bag. I brought one rated for 0°C comfort, which was more than enough. Toilets along the route are very clean, but there’s no showering. The camps have almost no signal or Wi-Fi, but charging is possible. Meals are included—I found the local food decent and actually enjoyed it.
[4] Difficulty: The summit push starts from a camp at 4,700m, departing around midnight. It took about 7 hours to reach the top and roughly 3 hours to descend. The summit climb was long and physically demanding. As someone who never suffers from altitude sickness, I felt nauseous for the first time. It was far more exhausting than my previous climb of Siguniang Mountain’s Third Peak.
[5] Other Notes:
1. Each climber must hire at least 5 porters, likely a local employment regulation.
2. Tanzania is not a yellow fever zone—no vaccine or yellow fever certificate required!
3. A visa on arrival is faster than an e-visa.
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