Popular Mt. Kilimanjaro Tours

Marangu Route

Description

Dubbed the “Coca-Cola” route, it is popular with inexperienced climbers who’d prefer to stay in huts than tents. This leads to a false belief that it is easier, when in fact, the short duration allows little time for acclimatisation, and a subsequent low summit success rate. To improve chances, it is recommended to tackle over 6 days.

Landscape

Starting on the southeast of Kilimanjaro, the trail progresses from forest to moors, before taking on a more alien, rugged appearance. The gradient is relatively gentle until the last day, when it gets very steep until the summit. Trekkers use the same path up and down the mountain, limiting the scenery.

Highlights

For some, the sheltered accommodation in huts with cold beverages on offer

Dificulty Level

Difficulty Level Relatively easy until summit day, with lowest success rate.

Distance

Distance 70 km over
5 – 6 Days

Mount-Kilimanjaro-Marangu-2

Machame Route

Description

Nicknamed the “Whiskey Route”, it is definitely a stiffer challenge than the Marangu Route. However, the extra day or two for acclimatisation to altitude and the ‘climb high, sleep low’ nature of the route makes all the difference and the higher summit success rate is testimony to this. There are some steep sections, but even the fierce-looking Barranco Wall is manageable with the right preparation.

Landscape

Starting in the southwest of the mountain the trek passes through forests, moors and 4 distinct climatic zones to reach the beautiful lunar landscape of the Shira Plateau and famed Lava Tower en route to the summit.

Highlights

Spectacular scenery.

Dificulty Level

Moderately Difficult with 85% success rate

Distance

61 km over 6 – 7 Days

Lemosho Route

Description

Both the most scenic and the most expensive route (due to the longer duration), the Lemosho Route begins west of Kilimanjaro, running parallel to the Shira Route. It then heads across the Shira Plateau and up the Barranco Wall before the challenging summit day to Uhuru Peak. The descent is via the Mweka Route on the south of the mountain.

Landscape

The trail begins with two days of forest trails before heading over moorlands to the Shira Plateau and the spectacular rock formations that follow. With views of distant Mount Meru, it is regarded as possibly the most breath-taking for its diverse scenery.

Highlights

Diverse scenery and high summit success rate, with relatively few people.

Dificulty Level

Moderate difficulty with 90% success rate.

Distance

67 km over 7 – 8 Days

Shira Route

Description

Despite similarities to the Lemosho Route for the latter part of the trek, it eliminates two days spent in the rainforest in favour of a direct steep climb up a 4×4 path, which means you can be driven to the official start at 3500m.  So, while it might be shorter, this means that there is inadequate time to get used to the altitude, and this in turn leads to a low success rate amongst climbers.  Even those that are acclimatised will need to be confident of their ability.

Landscape

Missing out entirely on the forest and moors at lower altitudes, much of the hike is spent on the starkly beautiful Shira Plateau (from which the route takes its name), before tackling the Barranco Wall and scree slopes en route to the summit.

Highlights

The views of the surrounding landscape below and Mount Meru in the distance. Less people than the Marangu and Machame Routes.

Dificulty Level

Difficult with 80% success rate

Distance

58 km over 6 – 7 Days

Rongai Route

Description

As the only route that starts on the northern side of the mountain, it is drier than all the other routes – and hence, preferred in the Wet Season. While it is less scenic as a result, the trail gradient is sufficiently gradual and the camps nicely spaced, meaning that there is ample time to acclimatise. As fewer people choose this route, it also feels wilder and trekkers may even see some wildlife. From day three, the terrain is gentle if rocky and the shortened stage on the day before summiting is a welcome opportunity to rest before setting off at midnight for the summit. The descent trail follows the Marangu Route to the southeast, taking up to 2 days.

Landscape

The trail begins in the farmlands before passing through the rainforest. This gives way to woodlands, moors and ultimately the alien landscape of the ‘Saddle’. The descent via Marangu entails moors and rainforest once the rocky upper slopes are left behind. Highlights: For most, the scenic location of the campsite in the shadow of the Mawenxi Peak is the most memorable day of the hike (besides the summit, of course).

Dificulty Level

Relatively easy with 85% success rate.

Distance

74 km over 6 – 7 Days

Umbwe Route

Description

The rapid ascent to Barranco Camp in two – as opposed to the usual 3-4 – days, gives trekkers little time to acclimatise to the sharp change in altitude. The trail is steep and exposed, and not for those with a fear of heights. From Barranco, it shares the Machame Route to the summit. Umbwe Route should only be attempted by highly experienced trekkers and using all 7 days.

Landscape

The first two days take trekkers through the rainforest before emerging onto that rock flanks of Kilimanjaro.

Highlights

It is quiet and remote. Reaching Uhuru Peak – only the most experienced climbers do.

Dificulty Level

Very difficult. Experienced climbers only – 70% success rate.

Distance

48 km over 5 – 7 Days

Northern Circuit

Description

Due to its length, the Northern Circuit, extra time for acclimatisation and ‘climb high, sleep low’ routing, trekkers on the Northern Circuit enjoy the highest success rate. The first two days follow the Lemosho Route before veering toward the Lava Tower and around the empty northern flanks of the mountain at around 4000m, until linking up with the Rongai Route which is followed to the summit at Uhuru Peak. The descent follows the Mweka Route, where the abundance of trekkers stands in stark contrast to the solitude at the start of the climb.

Landscape

The first two days pass through rainforest and moorlands before venturing onto the open slopes at altitude.

Highlights

The solitude for much of the route and spectacular views, particularly on the northern slope.

Dificulty Level

Relatively easy but long, with 95% success rate.

Distance

88 km over 8 – 9 Days

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