
MOUNT KILIMANJARO ROUTES
Mount Kilimanjaro routes offer different scenery and experiences. By choosing the best Kilimanjaro routes could make the difference between summiting or not. There is no easy route up the mountain. In addition some routes are more challenging than others and others are more successful.
Please click on the Mount Kilimanjaro routes map to see an enlarged Mount Kilimanjaro routes map.
Hiking up the mountain is very popular and the most successful routes are also the busiest, with the highest number of hikers.
In total there are seven routes leading up the mountain: the Shira, Lemosho, Machame, Umbwe, Rongai, Marangu and Northern circuit routes. Please refer to our detailed mount Kilimanjaro routes map.
Below is a brief routes description of all the Mount Kilimanjaro routes. For more detailed information regarding each of the routes, refer to our detailed route pages. This should enable you to choosing the best Kilimanjaro route to climb.
Mount Kilimanjaro routes – The Marangu Route
Also known as the “Coca Cola route” – the Marangu route is one of the oldest Mount Kilimanjaro routes leading to the summit. The route can be completed in 5 or 6 days and is a popular route option. It is the only route offering accommodation in communal A-frame huts and meals served in comfortable dining halls. Many hikers mistakenly choose this route, thinking it is the easiest Kilimanjaro route. The actual hiking trail from the Marangu gate to Kibo hut, is one of the easiest trails up Mt Kilimanjaro. Daily hiking distances are relatively short and there are no major obstacles en-route
The actual summit attempt and descend to the gate is longer, more strenuous and challenging on the Marangu route, compared to other Kilimanjaro routes. For more information on the Marangu route, please click here.
Mount Kilimanjaro routes – The Machame Route
The Machame route is one of our best Kilimanjaro routes leading to Uhuru peak. Hikers sleep in tents which are carried up the mountain by porters and pitched at campsites along the way. It is a beautiful and scenic route, which can be completed in 6 or 7 days. The key to the success of the route is its topography. This allows hikers to climb high and sleep low, helping towards better acclimatization.
There are however two drawbacks on this route:
- Baranco wall can be a potential problem for hikers with a fear of heights.
- The route has a lot of traffic due the Machame route’s high success rate
Descend is via the Mweka route. For more information on the Machame route, please click here.
One of the best Kilimanjaro routes, Lemosho route
The Lemosho route is one the best Kilimanjaro routes and a very scenic route. In addition sightings of wild game in the forest section is possible. Lemosho route can be completed in 6 to 8 days and share the same pro-acclimatization features of the Machame route, which it joins just before reaching Lava Tower. The Lemosho route used to be one of the quiet Kilimanjaro routes. However in recent times has become busier due to its popularity and being one of the successful routes.
We do not recommend hiking the Lemosho route during the rainy season. The starting point of the Lemosho route can be particularly inaccessible during the wet season. Descent is via the Mweka route. For more information on the Lemosho route, please click here.
The Rongai Route
The Rongai route ascends Kilimanjaro from the northeastern side of the mountain and you can complete it in 6 to 8 days. It retains a sense of unspoiled wilderness and offers a different perspective from other Mount Kilimanjaro routes by approaching it from the North. A premier advantage to the route is that it is a quiet route. One disadvantage is the long travel time to the starting point of the Rongai route. When connecting with the Marangu Route just before reaching Kibo hut the Rongai route does become busy.
The summit path, shared with the Marangu route, is also longer, more strenuous and challenging than the summit path used by the Machame route, Lemosho route and Umbwe route. For more information on the Rongai route, please click here.
Kilimanjaro routes – The Umbwe Route
The Umbwe route offer caves and can be completed in 6 or 7 days. You’ll sleep at the Umbwe Cave Camp on the first night, with two caves to explore along the route the next day. Umbwe route is one of tge shortest routes to the Southern Glaciers and the Western Breach. It is probably one of the most scenic, non-technical routes. The Route is very steep and fast ascending, probably the most challenging routes.
Higher risks are involved when attempting to summit via the Western Breach and Arrow Glacier camp. We re-route all our Umbwe route hikes to join the Southern Circuit from night 2 onward. The summit will then be via Barafu Camp. Descend is via the Mweka route. For more information on the Umbwe route, please click here.
The Shira Route
Shira Plateau is one of the most scenic and most fascinating areas on Mt Kilimanjaro. One of the only Mount Kilimanjaro routes, you can drive by 4×4 vehicle to the Morrum Barrier. This is within a couple of hours walk from the Shira 1 Camp. Driving is spectacular indeed and offers some magnificent views of Mt Meru and the area in general. The fast ascend by vehicle to about 3 400m / 11 154ft will require additional acclimatization, after which it will be possible to ascend Uhuru Peak via Barafu camp. Descent is via the Mweka route.
We offer the Shira route to hikers already acclimatized to 3,500m / 11,482ft. Hikers can acclimatize themselves by hiking Mt. Meru a few days before. For more information on the Shira route, please click here.
The Northern Circuit route
The Northern circuit route is the longest and one of the most scenic Mount Kilimanjaro routes. You can complete it in either 8 or 9 days. It shares the Lemosho route for the first couple of days and then heads north, just before reaching Lava tower. Circling around the northern slopes, offering incredibly varied scenery with very few hikers on the route. The northern circuit route then finally connects with the Rongai route, ascending via Kibo hut and descending via the Mweka route. For more information on the northern circuit route, one of the quieter routes, please click here.