Routes Overview
Mount Kilimanjaro Hiking Routes
When planning your climb of Mount Kilimanjaro, it’s important to know that there are seven well-established routes to choose from. The best route for you depends on your experience, fitness level, and the kind of views you want to enjoy. For beginners, the Marangu route is ideal as it’s the easiest and typically takes just five days. On the other hand, if you’re seeking adventure and breathtaking scenery, the Machame route is perfect, offering some of the most stunning vistas on the mountain.
Selecting Kilimanjaro Hiking Routes
Mount Kilimanjaro offers seven established climbing routes: Marangu, Machame, Lemosho, Shira, Rongai, Northern Circuit, and Umbwe. The Marangu, Machame, and Umbwe routes all start from the southern side of the mountain, with Mweka used exclusively for descent. The Lemosho, Shira, and Northern Circuit routes approach from the west, while the Rongai route begins from the north. To help visualize these options, we’ve included illustrations showing a three-dimensional view of Kilimanjaro’s routes and detailed close-ups of the approaches to the summit.
Choosing the best route for your Kilimanjaro climb can be challenging, as you need to consider factors such as the route’s scenery, difficulty level, traffic on the mountain, and altitude acclimatization points. This guide is designed to help you select the most suitable route based on these considerations, ensuring you have the best possible experience on your climb.
More Information on Each Route
The Machame Route, often referred to as the “Whiskey Route,” is renowned for its stunning scenic landscapes, making it one of the most popular paths on Mount Kilimanjaro. However, this route is also known for its steep inclines and demanding terrain, which can make the trek quite challenging.
Ideal for adventurous individuals or those with prior experience in hiking, backpacking, or high-altitude trekking, the Machame Route requires a good level of physical fitness. If you’re determined to take on this route, ensure you’re adequately prepared for the demanding conditions.
Pros of the Machame ‘Whiskey’ Route:
- Breathtaking landscapes
- Excellent acclimatization opportunities
- High success rates for reaching the summit
Cons of the Machame Route:
- Difficult and steep trails
- Often crowded with climbers
The Marangu Route, often called the “Coca Cola” route, is the oldest and most established path on Mount Kilimanjaro. Many trekkers choose this route because it is the most straightforward, with a gradual slope that makes the climb relatively easier.
This route stands out as the only one offering dormitory-style sleeping huts, which can make the trek more comfortable. The climb typically takes five days to complete.
However, the Marangu Route has a lower success rate due to its shorter duration, which doesn’t allow for as much time to acclimatize to the high altitude. The route’s brief time frame and the fact that it follows the same path up and down can make acclimatization more challenging. Additionally, it is less scenic compared to other routes.
Pros of the Marangu Route:
- Short duration of five to six days
- Easiest and most established route
- Only route with dormitory-style huts
- Most budget-friendly option
Cons of the Marangu Route:
- Lower success rate for summiting
- Limited time for acclimatization
- Less scenic compared to other routes
- Often the most crowded route
The Lemosho Route offers one of the most breathtaking trekking experiences on Mount Kilimanjaro. As a relatively new route, it is highly recommended for its stunning scenery, high success rates, and lower crowds. It begins from the west, starting at Arusha and proceeding to the Londorossi Gate.
The trek begins with a two-day hike through the lush rainforest to the Shira Ridge, then traverses the Shira Plateau from west to east. This route generally encounters fewer crowds until it intersects with the Machame trail near the Lava Tower. Following this, the route continues along the Southern Circuit beneath Kilimanjaro’s Southern Ice Field before descending via the Mweka Route.
Pros of the Lemosho Route:
- Offers spectacular panoramic views
- Provides better acclimatization opportunities
- Higher success rates for reaching the summit
- Generally less crowded
Cons of the Lemosho Route:
- Longer trekking days
- More expensive compared to shorter routes
The Rongai Route is unique as it is the only path on Kilimanjaro approaching from the north, near the Kenyan border. Although it is gaining popularity, it remains relatively uncrowded. This route is characterized by its gradual slope, making it a good alternative to the more popular Marangu Route and a preferable choice for those seeking a more remote experience or climbing during the rainy season, as the northern side receives less precipitation. The Rongai Route is moderately challenging and is highly recommended for trekkers with less backpacking experience.
While the scenery on Rongai is less varied compared to the western routes, it compensates with a journey through pristine wilderness areas almost throughout the trek. The descent is made via the Marangu Route.
Pros of the Rongai Route:
- Low crowds
- Gradual slope for easier trekking
- Ideal for novice trekkers
- Less rainfall expected during the trek
Cons of the Rongai Route:
- Limited scenic variety
The Umbwe Route is considered the most challenging path on Mount Kilimanjaro due to its rapid ascent to high altitudes, which does not allow for adequate acclimatization. Although the trail sees relatively low traffic, its demanding nature means that the success rate for reaching the summit is also lower. This route is best suited for experienced climbers who can acclimatize quickly to the high altitude.
Pros of the Umbwe Route:
- Low traffic
Cons of the Umbwe Route:
- Rapid ascent with insufficient acclimatization
- Extremely difficult and demanding trail
The Northern Circuit Route is regarded as one of the best paths on Mount Kilimanjaro, offering nearly 360 degrees of stunning scenery, including the tranquil and less-visited northern slopes. As the longest route on Kilimanjaro, it provides ample time for acclimatization, resulting in the highest summit success rate. This makes the Northern Circuit highly recommended for climbers seeking a comprehensive and rewarding experience.
The route begins with a drive from Moshi to the Londorossi Gate. Over the first two days, trekkers pass through lush rainforest to reach the Shira Ridge, and then traverse the Shira Plateau. The journey continues north, circling clockwise from Moir Hut to Buffalo Camp to School Hut, before summiting from the east. The descent is made via the Mweka Route.
Pros of the Northern Circuit Route:
- Enhanced acclimatization opportunities
- Exceptional scenic views
- Highest summit success rate
- Very low traffic
- Highly recommended for its overall experience
Cons of the Northern Circuit Route:
- Challenging trail
- Longer climbing days
- More expensive compared to shorter routes
Conclusion: Kilimanjaro Hiking Route We Recommend.
Our top pick for a Kilimanjaro climb, balancing scenery, difficulty, and traffic, is a combination of the Lemosho and Machame routes. The Lemosho route typically takes about 8 days, while the Machame route takes around 7 days. Together, these routes provide some of the most stunning views of the mountain, offer excellent acclimatization opportunities, and have relatively low traffic compared to other paths. If you need assistance with planning your route, safari, or any other aspects of your Tanzanian adventure, contact Moshi Treks. Our team of experts is here to support you every step of the way.
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